Posted: September 12, 2024

News for Sunday, September 22, 2024

Upcoming Events

09/21 9:00 a.m. Parish Work Day (The Pace Center)
09/28 10:00 a.m. Men’s Group (Ellwood Thompson’s)
09/29 9:00 a.m. Stewardship Kick-Off Event with Breakfast (Parish Hall)
09/29 4:00 p.m. Youth Sunday Funday (Triangle Rock Club)
10/02 11:00 a.m. Weekly Holy Eucharist & Healing Service Begins (Chapel)
10/03 10:30 a.m. Westminster Canterbury Worship & Lunch (Westminster Canterbury Richmond)
10/05 4:00 p.m. Music for a Fall Day Concert (Church)
10/06 4:00 p.m. Blessing of the Pets (Monroe Park)
10/13 11:45 a.m. Celebration of Ministry for Judy Bowman (Parish Hall)

Save the Date

10/27 10:30 a.m. Children & Youth Sunday (Church)
10/27 11:45 a.m. Youth Sunday Funday with Grace & Holy-ween (Monroe Park)
11/02 11:00 a.m. Bishop Sean Rowe Installation Service*
(Prelude begins at 10:00 a.m. | The Episcopal Church Center in New York City)
*There will be an extensive livestream production to support churchwide access and participation.
11/03 9:00 a.m. All Saints’ Sunday with Baptism & Stewardship Commitment*
(Parish-wide Brunch to follow worship in the Parish Hall. | Church)
*One service only. Regularly scheduled ministries are off/closed this Sunday.

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

Highlights

Parish Forum – Sundays at 9:30 a.m. through Sunday, October 13
Curious about the Eucharist? Join us for the Parish Forum series, “Gathering Around the Table: Exploring the Eucharist,” led by Father Brent Melton. Bring your questions and explore our worship together. The series runs Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall, from September 8th through October 13th. 

Youth Sunday Funday – Sunday, September 29
Middle school and high school students, please join us for fun and fellowship at Triangle Rock Club. Drop off is at 4:00 p.m. and pick up is at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be provided. Please text Laura Lee at (850) 266-3996 to RSVP or chaperone. Friends are welcome!

Stewardship Kick-Off Event with Parish Breakfast – Sunday, September 29 at 9:30 a.m.
We are excited to invite you to our Stewardship Kickoff on Sunday, September 29th during the Parish Forum. Come enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by our talented Breakfast Crew, followed by a meaningful conversation about how we can support the mission of our church in the coming year. Fr. Brent will lead the full family forum, and we will announce our progress toward our goals.

Mark your calendars! This is a special event for the whole family, with an intergenerational activity for everyone to participate in together. Whether you’re young or young at heart, there’s something for you.

Music for a Fall Day Concert – Saturday, October 5
Come and join three wonderful performers for a concert of musical treasures. Celebrated singers Chase Peak and Caroline Whisnant and the phenomenal pianist Daniel Stipe will present thrilling opera selections, favorite tunes from great musicals, and even some contemporary gems. The concert will begin at 4:00 p.m. and there will be a reception following the concert. Concert admission is $20. To purchase admission, please click here. Advance admission closes Friday, October 4th at 3:00 p.m. Admission is also available at the door.

Blessing of the Pets – Sunday, October 6
Sunday, October 6th at 4:00 p.m., you are invited to bring your furry friends to church for the Blessing of the Pets. The service will be held just outside the church entrance on Laurel Street. In the event of rain, we will hold the service in the Parish Hall. 

Celebration of Ministry for Judy Bowman – Donate a Dish or Donate to Judy’s Purse

As Judy prepares to retire, we’re taking donations of dishes for her Celebration of Ministry on Sunday, October 13th, and we are also collecting a purse on her behalf. Finger foods are encouraged for the celebration. If you’d like to contribute a dish, please fill out a “Donate a Dish” slip found on the Connect Table in the Parish Hall, or you can contact Cathy Saunders at (804) 304-3929. If you would like to contribute to Judy’s purse, you can place your donation in the offertory plate, using an envelope addressed to the Treasurer. Donations can also be mailed to the church, addressed to “Mike Joyce, Treasurer” at the church, 8 N. Laurel Street.

Seeking Volunteers for Making Red Door Staff Lunch
Red Door Ministry needs your help. Not only do we make a good lunch for around 150 guests every Friday, but we also need a lunch for the volunteers, too. We are seeking volunteers who would fix a simple (i.e. sandwiches) lunch on a Friday for around 15 Red Door volunteers before Red Door Lunch begins at 12:00 p.m. Red Door especially asks for your help from September through October. Please sign up for one or more Fridays by calling Betsy Featherstone at (804) 353-9760.

Children & Youth Formation Plans

Ministry Architects have concluded their listening sessions and meetings, as well as finished their plan for our Children & Youth Formation. The Vestry met on Wednesday, September 18th to review the plan. More details will be available in the near future. If you would like to volunteer with the Children & Youth, please contact Terry Hathaway by visiting our website at ghtc.org/contact and selecting Children’s Ministry from the drop down menu.

Assistive Listening Devices Now Available

We are pleased to offer assistive listening devices for those who need help hearing during services. These devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please see an usher before the service to request one.

Westminster Canterbury Worship & Lunch – Thursday, October 3
All are invited to join together at Westminster Canterbury on Thursday, October 3rd at 10:30 a.m. for worship with a lunch after. If you would like to attend, please sign up at the round table outside the church doors. You can also register by calling the Parish Office at (804) 359-5628 x23 and speaking with Lauren Frazier.

Flower Memorials – New Online Form
We are pleased to offer a new Flower Memorial form on our website. This allows you to honor a loved one by contributing flowers for our Sunday services. If you’d like to honor a loved one, please fill out the form online at ghtc.org/flowers. Your generosity will help beautify our space and create a meaningful tribute.

Education for Ministry Opportunity at St. John’s

Are you interested in learning more about the Bible, church history, and why (or if) they matter to your life or the world we live in today? Would you like to form deeper relationships with a small group of diverse and interesting St. John’s parishioners? This Education for Ministry (EfM) group will meet on Zoom on Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. beginning on October 7th. Anyone interested is welcome to call Tammy Shackelford at (804) 467-2255, email her at Tamashack@comcast.net, or find more information here.

Assistant Priest Position 

The search for our new assistant priest is moving along well! They have reviewed applications and invited three applicants to Zoom interviews. The next step in a search process is having candidate(s) come to Richmond for in person interviews. One candidate came this past week. Please continue to keep the candidates and committee members in your prayers during this exciting time of growth and opportunity. Thank you to Neely Dykshorn, David Hetherington, Laura Lee, Mason New, Bill Perkins, Brent Melton, and chairwoman Suzanne Williams for serving on the discernment committee. For more information on the assistant priest position or the selection process, please visit ghtc.org/jobs or email Suzanne at syw3@icloud.com.

Prayer Request – New Online Form
We have introduced a new online Prayer Request form for your convenience. 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.

Upcoming Events at The Pace Center
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. As we get closer to the start of the school year there will be many opportunities to volunteer! Please visit thepacecenter.com for more information on Pace’s upcoming events and how you can support students in our community.

Walk-A-Dog Fridays at 12:00 p.m., meet in front of The Pace Center

Paint Flower Pots Visit The Pace Center website for more information

Food Donation Sign Up Sign Up to Donate on The Pace Center Website

Parish Work Day Saturday, September 21 at 9:00 a.m. Hosted by GHTC. (The Pace Center)

Men’s Group – Saturday, September 28

The GHTC Men’s Group will meet for coffee at Ellwood Thompson’s on September 28th at 10:00 a.m. This informal gathering occurs once a month on the 4th Saturday of each month. All men in the congregation are welcome to have coffee together and participate in casual conversation. Coffee and pastries are available for purchase at the cafe.

Investiture in Presiding Bishop-Elect – November 2, 2024

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issues a churchwide invitation to the November 2nd investiture service of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe. The planning committee for the investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe has released a batch of resources to aid Episcopalians in hosting local watch parties during the churchwide virtual event at 11:00 a.m. (ET) on Saturday, November 2nd. The service will be livestreamed on the event webpage as well as The Episcopal Church’s Facebook page.

Intinction Station – Now in the Sanctuary
Intinction during communion will continue to be offered, however it now takes place at a station beneath the lectern in the sanctuary. You have the option of coming towards the front of the church and before the chancel stairs, move to the left in front of the lectern so to receive the sacrament by intinction. Then proceed down the left aisle (passing the baptismal font) so to return to your pew. We look forward to having everyone receiving communion again in the main worship space. Questions? Visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Father Brent from the drop down menu.

Clothes Closet Suspending Donations
Thank you for your generous donations to the Clothes Closet! Donations are being processed, and we are blessed to be at capacity. We ask that you hold off on bringing additional items until further notice. Please keep an eye out for upcoming communications regarding the Winter Gear Drive beginning in late October.

Spirited Readers Book Club – Upcoming Meetings
All members of GHTC and their friends are welcome to join the Spirited Readers Book Club for one or every meeting. We meet in members’ homes, generally on the afternoon of the third Monday of the month. Over the next few months, the club will be reading:

• Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (a classic set in the 1920s, in which the protagonist reflects on her past, including WWI)
• West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge (During the Great Depression two giraffes miraculously survive a hurricane and after a hilarious twelve-day road trip are delivered to the San Diego Zoo.)
• James by Perceival Everett (Huckleberry Finn re-told from the perspective of the enslaved Jim)

Questions or want to attend? Contact Mary Ann Blankenship by visiting our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Spirited Readers Book Club from the drop down menu.

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.

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) | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton
Mission Questions | Chuck Bleick
Communications Questions | Communications Team
Formation Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton
Pastoral Care Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton
Music Questions | Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis
Paying Your Pledge | Judy Bowman
Property & Church Records Questions | Lauren Frazier
Vestry Questions | Meredith McGuire

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

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 [at] ghtc.org or call the Parish Office at (804) 359-5628.

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.

For more information, visit the News page.