Posted: October 26, 2023

News for Sunday, October 29, 2023

Upcoming Events

10/28     10:00 a.m.   Men’s Group (Ellwood Thompson’s)
10/29      4:00 p.m.    Parish Picnic, Children & Youth Sunday, Grace & Holy-ween (Roslyn Retreat Center)
*8:00 a.m. Worship is regularly scheduled. There is no 10:30 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. Dinner Church due to the 4:00 p.m. events.
11/01       8:00 a.m.   Holy Communion (Traditional Language | Spoken | Chapel)
11/04       8:30 a.m.    Holy Strollers Walk (Dutch Gap Trail)
11/04       9:00 a.m.    Parish Workday
11/05       9:00 a.m.    Pledge Drive Ends
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)

Save the Date

11/19        2:30 p.m.    Youth Sunday Funday (TopGolf)
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.

Highlights

Men’s Group Coffee – Saturday, October 28
The Men’s Group will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 28th at Ellwood Thompson’s in Carytown. A variety of coffee options, bagels, and pastries are available for purchase at the cafe.

Parish Picnic – Sunday, October 29
On Sunday, October 29th, we invite you to join us for the fall parish picnic with worship at Roslyn Conference & Retreat Center at 8727 River Rd, Henrico, VA 23229. Worship will begin promptly at 4:00 p.m. at the picnic pavilion, so please plan to get there on time.

Please consider carpooling to minimize traffic. We encourage you to bring a chair for worship. Households with last name A-M please bring a side dish and N-Z please bring a dessert to share!

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 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 by November 8th.

To register or learn more about confirmation, please contact Associate Rector Paul Evans at ghtc.org/contact.

Pledge Drive Continues Through November 5
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 November 5th. Pledge cards will be mailed with third quarter statements soon. 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 at ghtc.org/pledge

If you have any questions about your pledge, please contact Judy Bowman it ghtc.org/contact or by calling (804) 359-5628 x14.

Caroling in Monroe Park & Christmas Market – Vendors
Caroling in Monroe Park is expanding this year with more musical groups, photos with Santa, and an array of vendors as part of a marketplace. If you have a business selling crafts or merchandise and would like to participate in the market, please contact Meredith McGuire by November 1st.

The Sounds of the Pipe Organ Recap
A video recording of “The Sounds of the Pipe Organ” presented by Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis, Choirmaster and Organist, and Stanley M. Baker, Assistant Choirmaster and Organist, on October 15 for the Adult Formation Sunday Series is available on our website. There is also a link for a packet that includes details about the history and development of the pipe organ, a history of our Grace & Holy Trinity 1979 Austin pipe organ, and a list of the organ stops.

The Anchor Issue 1 Release & Music Brochure
Anchors aweigh – you should have received this revitalized regular newsletter by mail. Also included in this mailing is the music brochure, detailing events throughout the program year. Additional copies are now available at the Connect Table. Keep an eye out for the next issue recapping the wonderful events and ministries of this parish.

Worship

Wednesday Morning Eucharist – All Saints’ Day, November 1
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 – Sunday, November 5
Join us for Dinner Church on 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 4
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 4th 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.

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 Coleby.

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 November 5
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.

For more information, visit the News page.