News for Sunday, November 5, 2023

News

Posted: November 2, 2023

Upcoming Events

11/04     9:00 a.m.    Parish Workday
11/05     9:00 a.m.    Pledge Drive Ends
11/05     5:30 p.m.    Foyer Groups Dinner
11/08     08:00 a.m.   Holy Communion (Traditional Language | Spoken | Chapel)
11/10      5:00 p.m.    Parents’ Night Out (Parish Hall | Parents gathering Capital Ale House)
11/11      8:00 a.m.    Episcopal Church Women – Diocesan Meeting (St. Mary’s Colonial Beach)
11/12      1:00 p.m.    Confirmation Retreat (Church)
11/13      5:30 p.m.    Spirited Sisters (Burger Bach Carytown)
11/19      2:30 p.m.    Youth Sunday Funday (TopGolf)

Save the Date

11/24     9:00 a.m.    Holy Strollers Walk (Downtown)
11/26     9:00 a.m.    Advent Wreath Making (Parish Hall)
12/03     4:30 p.m.    Caroling in Monroe Park* (Monroe Park)
*Caroling in Monroe Park will replace the 5:30 p.m. Dinner Church.

Sunday Bulletins are posted by Friday at ghtc.org/bulletin.

Do you have a Will? Have you remembered the Church?
“The Minister of the Congregation is directed to instruct the people, from time to time, about the duty of Christian parents to make prudent provision for the well-being of their families, and of all persons to make wills, while they are in health, arranging for the disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses.”
–Book of Common Prayer, p. 445

Your Will is an opportunity to leave a legacy, which will benefit the life and ministry of this Parish for years to come. A variety of forms of planned giving are available. For more information, please speak with a member of the clergy.

Volunteers Needed for Parish Workday – Saturday, November 4
The Property Committee is seeking volunteers for the next parish workday on Saturday, November 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Some projects include bagging leaves, painting the parking lot bumpers and lines, repairing pew cushion buttons, and general tidying. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Andrew Peacock.

Foyer Groups Dinner at Grapevine – Sunday, November 5
The Foyer Groups, led by Debra and Maurice Cole, will meet on Sunday, November 5th at 5:30 p.m. at Grapevine Restaurant at 11055 Three Chopt Road. All are welcome. These informal gatherings for brunch, lunch, or dinner, either potluck or at a restaurant, are opportunities to enjoy good conversations with good company. Questions or want to attend? Contact Debra Cole.

Parents’ Night Out – Friday, November 10
Children, youth, and their parents are invited to join us on Friday, November 10th for an evening of fun and fellowship. Parents are invited to drop their children off at church beginning at 5:00 p.m. before meeting for happy hour at Capital Ale House. At church, we will provide dinner and Messy Church activities for the children to have a hands-on experience of faith themed around All Saints’ Sunday. Youth are invited to serve as Junior Counselors before having an activity just for them. Our nursery will be open for children as young as infants. Pick-up is at 9:30 p.m. It should be a great evening for the whole family. Please register here by Wednesday, November 8th. We hope to see you there!

Confirmation Retreat – November 12
On November 12th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., we will have our next Confirmation Retreat at the Church. The confirmands will be exploring what it means to be a Christian. As we have previously communicated, we will be repeating the same four retreats held last year in anticipation of a May 2024 Bishop’s visit to confirm everyone who has participated in all four retreats. Please register online here by November 8th. To learn more about confirmation, please contact Associate Rector Paul Evans at ghtc.org/contact.

Pledge Drive Continues Through Sunday
Our annual Pledge Drive began Sunday, October 8th. Please prayerfully consider the amount God is calling you to give in 2024 and make a pledge by this Sunday, November 5th. Pledge cards have been mailed with third quarter statements. Make your pledge one of the following ways:

Mail your pledge card to Judy Bowman in the Parish Office
Drop your pledge card in the offering plate on Sunday morning
Make your pledge online

If you have any questions about your pledge, please contact Judy Bowman in the church office at (804) 359-5628 x14.

Worship

Baptism Opportunity – Sunday, December 10
Baptism On Sunday, December 10th, If you would like to receive the sacrament of Holy Baptism for yourself or your child(ren), please contact The Rev. Greg Bezilla at ghtc.org/contact.

Wednesday Morning Eucharist – November 8
A Wednesday morning celebration of the Holy Eucharist is now held each week at 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel. This weekly service is intended to deepen our fellowship and to provide the parish with another touchpoint with parish clergy. Immediately following the service, the presiding priest will host a coffee hour in the Parish Hall. For more information, contact Associate Rector Paul Evans at ghtc.org/contact.

Dinner Church – Sundays at 5:30 p.m.
Join us for Dinner Church this Sunday, November 5th at 5:30 p.m. Just as the early church gathered together in worship and to share a meal, so will we. Our shared meal will be accompanied by liturgy and singing to foster connection and community. Let’s come together, break bread, and build relationships that transcend generations.

Parish Life

Holy Strollers Walk – Saturday, November 11
We invite you to join the Holy Strollers’ next excursion as we journey to the Dutch Gap trail in Chesterfield. The route is 4.5 miles long and almost entirely flat. We will depart from the church parking lot on Saturday, November 11th at 8:30 a.m. sharp, and plan on finishing up around 12:30 p.m. You may want to layer comfortable clothes, wear walking shoes or boots, and bring water. If you have questions or would like to attend, please contact Susan Hankins.

Spirited Sisters – Monday, November 13
Spirited Sisters, a women’s group of the parish, will meet next on Monday, November 13th at 5:30 p.m. at Burger Bach in Carytown for lively conversation and a meal. If you are interested in attending contact Cathy Saunders.

Youth Sunday Funday – Sunday, November 19
The fun continues! On Sunday, November 19th at 2:30 p.m., the tweens and teens of the parish will hit the green at TopGolf. If you’re a teen or a tween and you haven’t given these activities a try, come on out. You’re welcome to bring a friend, too. Please register online by November 15th. Please note that registration is capped at 25 to ensure adequate playtime for everyone.

Questions? Contact Associate Rector Paul Evans at ghtc.org/contact.

Education

Episcopal Church Women’s Diocesan Meeting – Saturday, November 11
The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Virginia will have their Fall Meeting on Saturday, November 11th at St. Mary’s Church in Colonial Beach, VA. The meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. and wrap up by 2:00 p.m. Speakers include The Rt. Rev. E. Mark Stevenson and The Rev. Dr. J. Lee Hill Jr. The registration fee is $25 and the deadline to register is November 1st. Click to find the registration form and for more details. Contact Catherine Perrin or Jodie Pully with questions.

Outreach

Red Door Ministry Winter Gear Drive Continues Through Sunday
As the winter months approach, Red Door is seeking donations of coats and gloves for Richmonders in need. Other items such as sweatpants, sweatshirts, socks, and sleeping bags are also needed at this time. Please drop off any new or gently used winter gear at the service ministry box between the elevator and the kitchen.

Other Communications

Beware of Phishing & Other Scams
Please beware of any communication (email, phone calls, texts) purporting to be from members of our clergy, staff, or someone communicating on our behalf. No member of the Grace & Holy Trinity clergy or staff will ever contact you asking you “for a favor,” such as purchasing gift cards. Scammers use these tactics and they are more common than you might think. Please be cautious and use good judgment.

Update Your Information in Shelby (Church Directory)
Please take a moment to log into the church’s database and confirm or update your contact information. The church utilizes the address on file to mail parish communications such as newsletters, postcards, and financial statements. Visit our website at ghtc.org/member to log in. Questions? Please contact Kyle Reed at ghtc.org/contact. If you need assistance with your password, please contact Judy Bowman at ghtc.org/contact.

Please Wear Your Name Tags
This is a gentle reminder to please wear your name tags when you come to church. Grace & Holy Trinity is fortunate to have visitors and new parishioners joining us each week. Wearing your nametag is an important part of our hospitality to all and a visible reminder to newcomers and lifelong members alike that we are an open and welcoming community. Please pick up your name tags along the wall in the hallway as you enter from the Cherry Street parking lot, and please leave them there when you leave church. If you need a name tag for the first time or if you have misplaced yours, please contact Communications Associate Tyler Brady, ghtc.org/contact.

Pastoral Care
Grace & Holy Trinity is committed to providing spiritual guidance, support, and a compassionate presence to all in times of need or spiritual growth. If you would like to speak with the clergy, please call the church office at (804) 359-5628.

The Rev. Greg Bezilla Available for Appointments
The Rev. Greg Bezilla is available to meet with you by appointment. Greg can be reached at (804) 359-5628 x17 or by email at ghtc.org/contact.

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