News & Announcements

Upcoming Events

Sunday 09/14 Reminder: Mobile Soul Sunday in Monroe Park with Road Closures

Sunday 09/14 Parish Ministry Fair Session 1: Parish Life & Formation* (Before & After the 10:30 a.m. Service | Parish Hall) *First of two sessions.

Friday 09/19 5:00 p.m. Parents’ Night Out (Drop Off at 5:00 p.m. & Pick Up at 9:30 p.m. | Parents Location: Quirk Hotel Rooftop Bar)

Sunday 09/21 9:30 a.m. 2025–2026 Adult Forums Begin: What is valueable in our Parish Life & Worship? led by Father Brent and the Rev. Jenny Montgomery (First Floor Classroom)

Wednesday 09/24 Stewards of Hope Gathering: Education & Formation (RSVP Here | Morton Family Home)

Friday 09/26 6:00 p.m. Pride Eucharist hosted by GHTC & The Pace Center with Greater Richmond Episcopal Churches and Community Pride Choir (Church)

Thursday 10/02 10:30 a.m. Westminster Canterbury Worship & Luncheon (Lunch at 11:30 a.m. | Jacqueline room)

Sunday 10/05 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite Two with Blessing of the Animals (8:00 a.m. Worship is Regularly Scheduled | Outdoor 10:30 a.m. Worship on 8 N. Laurel Street)

Sunday 10/12 9:30 a.m. Inquirers’ Class Interest Session 1: Welcome & Overview (Second Floor Conference Room)

Sunday 10/19 Parish Ministry Fair Session 2: Worship & Outreach* (Before & After the 10:30 a.m. Service | Parish Hall) *Second of two sessions.

Sunday 11/09 9:30 a.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry Interest Meeting (Second Floor Conference Room)

Sunday 11/16 9:30 a.m. Inquirers’ Class Session 2: Liturgy – Praying What We Believe (Second Floor Conference Room)

Highlights

Reminder: Black Restaurant Week Event in Monroe Park – This Sunday, September 14

The Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, a celebratory week dedicated to supporting Richmond’s black-owned restaurants and promoting the Richmond region, will begin this Sunday with a large event in Monroe Park at 1:00 p.m. Set up for the event will begin in the morning. This will cause some alternate traffic routes, road closures, and possible delays getting to and from the church. Thank you for understanding.

Parish Ministry Fair – First Session of Two this Sunday, September 14

This year we are having the beloved Ministry Fair over two Sundays in the fall instead of just one. Parish Life and Education/Formation is this Sunday, September 14th and Mission/Outreach and Worship will be a month later, on Sunday, October 19th, both before and after the 10:30 a.m. services. Why change? This hopefully will allow more members to connect with more group leaders. We typically have forty ministries filling up the entire Parish Hall. We hope having two Ministry Fairs will help to enhance sign-ups with fewer tables and more space to highlight twenty ministries on each of those Sundays. Thank you to Maurice Cole for organizing this ministry event again this year. Blessings!

2025-2026 Adult Forum on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. – Begins Sunday, September 21

As I shared at the Annual Meeting, this is a year to embrace formation as a church. A gift of having a full staff is that we will have Adult Forums  from 9:30-10:15 am every Sunday. Madeleine, Marissa, Brent, Jenny, Steve and other leaders will be presenting these forums in the First Floor Classroom or Parish Hall. We strongly encourage you to begin your Sunday by partaking in our hearty breakfast beginning at 9:00 a.m. Then bring a cup of coffee and your curiosity into the forums. The first forum will be on Sunday, September 21st and our weekly schedule will continue until Mother’s Day in early May. The forum focuses will include our two Ministry Fairs, seven Intergenerational Forums, diving into denomination differentiations, church seasons, GHTC values and mission, the Old Testament, creation care, outreach ministries, and so much more. Come share, listen, and learn together with us. Find the full Adult Formation schedule on the Connect Tables. Blessings! – Father Brent

Inquirers’ Class (Confirmation) for Adults – Begins Sunday, October 12 at 9:30 a.m.

Inquirers’ Classes help adults who are interested in knowing how the Episcopal Church approaches worship, faith, spirituality, and theology. The class is open to anyone who wants to know more about the Church, especially adults who want to be baptized, confirmed, or received in the Episcopal Church. In addition, it is a great way to get to know other people at Grace & Holy Trinity Church (GHTC). On Sunday, October 12th, meet in the Second Floor Conference Room at 9:30 a.m. for our first session together. Our Bishop will be at GHTC on Sunday, April 26th to confirm and receive those who have participated in the classes. If you ever wish to be a Lay Reader, Eucharistic Visitor, or Vestry member, you need to be confirmed or received. Youth confirmation classes are being offered too. Please contact Director of Formation Madeleine Preston for more information on youth confirmation, and Father Brent for questions regarding the classes and adult confirmation.

Youth Instrumental Ensemble

Calling all youth instrumentalists! All youth instrumentalists from 4th grade through high school are invited to join the ensemble. The ensemble includes strings, brass, woodwinds, piano, and acoustic guitar. The ensemble plays on Children & Youth Sundays and at other worship services during the year. They rehearse on scheduled Sundays from September-May from 11:50 a.m.–12:20 p.m. following the 10:30 a.m. worship service in the church. The Youth Instrumental Ensemble is directed by Luke Bennan, Assistant Choirmaster & Organist. Interested in joining? Contact Luke by visiting our website at ghtc.org/contact and selecting his name from the drop down menu.

Parents’ Night Out Returns – Friday, September 19 at 5:00 p.m.

Our first Parents’ Night Out of the program year will be on Friday, September 19th from 5:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m. All children and youth are invited to the church for dinner, games, and a movie. We will also decorate flower pots to give new VCU students with our partners at The Pace Center. Parents, after you drop your kids off at 5:00 p.m. at the church, head to Quirk Hotel Rooftop Bar. 

Thank You from Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis

Dear Brent, Vestry, and Grace & Holy Trinity Parishioners,

Thank you very much for your generous gift of my three month sabbatical this summer. I had many wonderful and memorable experiences visiting Italy, Nashville, New York City, and Washington, D.C. I especially enjoyed seeing many beautiful churches and learning about the architecture, stained glass windows, and art. I also attended an inspirational Sewanee Church Music Conference which was filled with many uplifting worship services and glorious music. Several of the anthems from the Conference will be sung by our Parish Choir this year. I am very grateful for the support of the music ministry and to the time of rest, renewal, and growth. I look forward to an exciting program year at Grace & Holy Trinity!

Blessings,

Beth Melcher Davis

Gathered in Grace, Growing Together! – First Stewards of Hope Gathering on Wednesday, September 24
This fall, Grace & Holy Trinity Church is celebrating our four pillars of ministry – Worship, Education, Parish Life, and Mission – through stewardship gatherings themed “Stewards of Hope.” Each pillar will be celebrated at one gathering in September or October, hosted in a parishioner’s home (or a location they choose). The host provides the main dish, guests bring a side or dessert, and the church will provide beverages. 

Our first gathering and dinner will be hosted by the Morton family on Wednesday, September 24th and celebrate the pillar of Education and Formation. Click here to RSVP.

Intergenerational Formation Event – Sunday, September 28th at 9:30 a.m.

What does it mean to share in God’s “heavenly treasure?” What “treasure” does the Church have to offer? Everyone is invited to our first Intergenerational Formation Event, when we’ll think through these questions together and participate in a treasure hunt in the Church. Join us in the First Floor Classroom on September 28th at 9:30 a.m. for this event for all ages.

Have You Logged Into Realm?: A New Location for Membership, Giving & Communication We made exciting changes to our church’s membership, giving, and communications program, moving from the ShelbyNext database to Realm. GHTC has emailed invitations to join. Once you open your invitation you’ll be able to create an account for our new system by clicking on the link and creating a password. Please note that unless you create an account, you will not be included in the online directory that other members are able to view. Some of you may have already noticed our updated online giving webpage and “Realm Member” page. You can securely give from our website and via text message using the free Realm Connect app on your phone or tablet. We appreciate your continued support. Find the Realm table at both Parish Ministry Fairs to learn more. If you have any questions, please contact Tyler Brady at (804) 359-5628 x25 or by selecting “Tyler Brady – Communications” from the drop-down menu at ghtc.org/contact.

Membership Coordinator Job Search

The search process for a Membership Coordinator continues. Please spread the word and keep this search in your prayers as we accept applications. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Assistant Priest Marissa Sotos at (804) 359-5682 x16 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select “Assistant Priest” from the drop-down menu.

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 inviting you to an event or asking you “for a favor,” such as purchasing gift cards. Scammers use these tactics and are more common than you might think. Please be cautious and use good judgment. 

Pride Eucharist hosted by GHTC & The Pace Center with Greater Richmond Episcopal Churches and Community Pride Choir – Friday, September 26th at 6:00 p.m.

The Episcopal Churches of Greater Richmond and The Pace Center will gather at Grace & Holy Trinity Church on Friday, September 26th to host a Pride Eucharist celebrating our embrace and affirmation of the LGBTQIA+ community. The worship service will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the church and feature the Community Pride Choir. Livestream is available here. If you would like to help lead worship by reading the Prayers of the People, or as an acolyte or usher, please contact Father Brent by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Priest-in-Charge” from the drop-down menu.

• Following worship, there will be a reception in the Parish Hall. Please bring a side or snack to share. If you would like to help host the reception, please contact the Rev. Jenny Montgomery by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Priest Associate” from the drop-down menu. 
• Middle and high schoolers are invited to come to the gazebo in Monroe Park at 4:30 p.m. for games and a pizza dinner before heading to the Church for the Eucharist. 
• Community Pride Choir rehearsal is at 5:00 p.m. on September 26th, and all are welcome. If you are interested in joining the Community Choir to sing “The Gift of Love” by Hal Hopson, please contact Choirmaster & Organist Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis at ghtc.org/contact and select “Choirmaster & Organist” from the drop-down menu.

Diocesan Episcopal Church Woman Tea – Saturday, September 27 at 2:00 p.m.

All women of the Diocese of Virginia are invited to the 2nd annual tea to benefit the gifts and scholarships fund. The tea will be held at Church of the Epiphany at 8000 Hermitage Road in Henrico on Saturday, September 27th from 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. The suggested donation is $30.  If you would like to attend please RSVP to Kathy Jimerson or call (804) 651-2559. If you have questions, please contact Cathy Saunders or call (804) 304-3929.

Westminster Canterbury Worship & Lunch – Thursday, October 2 at 10:30 a.m.

GHTC invites all generations to join together at Westminster Canterbury Richmond on Thursday, October 2nd for worship and lunch. Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Spiritual Center and lunch will follow in the Jacqueline Room. If you would like to join us for lunch, please sign up at the round table outside the Parish Hall church doors. You can also register by calling the Parish Office at (804) 359-5628 x23 and speaking with Lauren Frazier.

Holy Eucharist with Blessing of the Animals in Monroe Park – Sunday, October 5 at 10:30 a.m.

In commemoration of St. Francis Day, you and your pets are invited to Eucharist with a Blessing of the Animals. The 10:30 a.m. service will be held outside on Laurel Street to accommodate our animal guests. Please bring a chair and keep pets leashed or in their carriers and with you at all times. We look forward to celebrating God’s creation and the animals that enrich our lives!

Prayer Shawl Ministry Interest Meeting – Sunday, November 9th at 9:30 a.m.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry started in 2003 and has given away nearly 300 shawls. A prayer Shawl is a knitted shawl, and is given to someone who is in need of the comfort a shawl brings. Each shawl is wrapped in tissue and is presented in a bag with a prayer. The shawls are knitted by the members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry. We plan to have an interest meeting on Sunday, November 9th at 9:30 a.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room, so we can show you what we do – and encourage you to join us. If you cannot knit, we will teach you and we have yarn and needles to lend. Please join us and learn more about this wonderful ministry. – Betsy Featherstone

Get Involved with The Pace Center this Semester
The Pace Center, our covenant partner for campus ministry, is an inclusive, multicultural community at VCU where students’ unique stories and gifts are valued. As a collaborative ministry of several Christian denominations, it emphasizes the importance of deep relationships and the inherent value of each individual. Please visit thepacecenter.com for more information on Pace’s upcoming events and how you can support students in our community.

With college students returning to campus, The Pace Center appreciates donations of snacks, baked goods, and soup. You can sign up here. 

In addition to food donations, The Pace Center welcomes and invites GHTC parishioners to participate in any (or all) of the following:

Stories & Lunch | Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.; Share in a meal and a common story theme

Volunteer at Belmont Community Resource Services | Fridays from 9:00 p.m.–12:00 p.m.; Meet at Pace (700 W. Franklin Street) and join a group of students volunteering at BCRS (a 17-minute drive from campus). Belmont serves over 500 families on Friday mornings. Please note that this event takes place outdoors (rain or shine!); dress accordingly.

Food & Faith | Fridays at 12:30 p.m.; Join a group of students in a simple Faith Share activity (i.e. meditation; a scripture reading; and/or a hymn) and a simple meal prepared together.

Walk A Dog | Fridays at 2:00 p.m.; Make new friends while walking dogs together. Bring your dog with you, or just show up for a nice walk with college-aged students

Strings N Things (Crochet & Knitting) | Fridays from 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.; Bring your fiber arts project, or learn a new craft. Beginners (and experts willing to teach) welcome!

All events take place at Pace. If you have questions, please contact the Rev. Russ Kerr by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Campus Minister” from the drop-down menu.

Other Communications

Whom do I contact for…?
If you have a question or need to contact GHTC, please use the following email addresses and their respective subjects to help direct you to the correct staff member(s):

Worship (including Holy Baptism and Marriage) | Father Brent
Mission Questions | Chuck Bleick or The Rev. Steve Pace
Communications Questions | Father Brent & Pastor Marissa
Formation Questions | Father Brent & Madeleine Preston
Pastoral Care Questions | Father Brent
Music Questions | Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis
Paying Your Pledge | Kathy Schultheis
Property & Church Records Questions | Lauren Frazier
Vestry Questions | Chuck Bleick
Campus Ministry Questions | The Rev. Russ Kerr

For questions outside of these subjects please visit ghtc.org/contact or call (804) 359-5268.

Sign Up for Music eNews
Sign up for the Music eNews to stay connected with the vibrant musical life of our congregation. By signing up, you’ll receive exclusive updates on concerts, music-centered worship services, and other exciting music-related activities at GHTC. Visit our website at ghtc.org/music to subscribe. The sign-up form will appear on mobile devices at the bottom of the page.

Prayer Request – Online Form
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please visit our website at ghtc.org/prayer and fill out the form. Your requests are confidential and will be shared with Parish Administrator and clergy.

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 by visiting ghtc.org/contact.

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 are more common than you might think. Please be cautious and use good judgment.

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 email pastoralcare@ghtc.org or call the Parish Office at (804) 359-5628.