News & Announcements

Upcoming Events

Sunday 12/21 8:00 a.m. Advent IV: Holy Eucharist, Rite One (Chapel)

Sunday 12/21 9:00 a.m. Parish Breakfast* (Parish Breakfast) *There will be no Parish Breakfast on Sundays, December 28th, 2025 and January 4th, 2026. Breakfast will return to its regular schedule on Sunday, January 11th.

Sunday 12/21 10:00 a.m. Children’s Pageant Rehearsal* (Church) *No 10:30 a.m. worship or livestream, 8:00 a.m. worship is regularly scheduled.

Sunday 12/21 4:00 p.m. Festival of Christmas Lessons & Carols (Livestream Available | Church)

Sunday 12/21 5:00 p.m. Lessons & Carols Reception (Following 4:00 p.m. Worship | Parish Hall)

Monday 12/22 4:30 p.m. Holy Strollers Holiday Lights Walk (Beginning at Whole Foods Grocery, 2024 W. Broad Street)

Wednesday 12/24 4:00 p.m. Children’s Pageant with Holy Eucharist, Rite Two* (Livestream Available | Church)
*Prelude music begins at 3:30 p.m. No Bible Study at 9:45 a.m. or Holy Eucharist with Healing at 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday 12/24 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve* (Livestream Available | Church) *Prelude music begins at 10:30 p.m.

Thursday 12/25 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day* (Chapel) *No Morning Prayer at 8:45 a.m.

Thursday 12/25 12:00 p.m. Parish Office & Church Closed through Thursday, January 1, 2026 in Observance of Christmas & New Year’s*

*No Morning Prayer on Tuesday, December 30th or on Thursday, January 1st. No Bible Study or Holy Eucharist with Healing on Wednesday, December 31st. Parish Breakfast & Adult Formation will pause on December 28th and January 4th, and return Sunday, January 11th.

Monday 01/05 2:00 p.m. The Celebration of the Life of John Henry Wick III (Church)

Tuesday 01/06 8:45 a.m. Morning Prayer Resumes

Tuesday 01/06 4:00 p.m. Westminster Canterbury Happy Hour & Caroling (Updated Date from Postponement | Courtyard 5th Floor Lounge)

Wednesday 01/07 9:45 a.m. Bible Study Resumes

Friday 01/09 5:00 p.m. Parents’ Night Out (Drop-off at 5:00 p.m. with Pick-up at 9:30 p.m. | Parents’ Location TBD)

Sunday 01/11 9:30 a.m. Intergenerational Formation: Bound Together in Baptism led by Madeleine Preston (First Floor Classroom)

Sunday 01/11 10:30 a.m. Children & Youth Sunday with Holy Eucharist and Baptism* (Church) *Acolyte Recognition Sunday. 8:00 a.m. worship is regularly scheduled. ​​For more information or to schedule a baptism, please contact The Rev. Brent A. Melton, Priest-in-Charge at ghtc.org/contact.

Sunday 01/11 11:45 a.m. Usher Training & Refreshments (First Floor Classroom)

Saturday 01/17 5:00 p.m. Front Porch Forum Dinner (Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. | Parish Hall)

Highlights

Pastoral Care Phone Number 

A Pastoral Care Line is now active for parishioners experiencing a pastoral emergency when the church office is closed. The on-call number is (804) 322-3758. Please save this number to your phone’s contact list. Voice and text messages can be left at this number. The pastoral care team is comprised of our clergy and two staff members. We want to make sure we can connect to support our parishioners in any time of need.

Christmas Offerings

The Lessons & Carols, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day offerings are in support of the The Hill Brown Music Scholars Fund. The fund was created to perpetually pay tribute to the Reverend Hill Brown’s beloved legacy at Grace & Holy Trinity where he spent his entire ministry. This position is for current college students who major in music either as singers or instrumentalists. Music Scholars will provide musical leadership and support to the Parish Choir at Grace & Holy Trinity through their musical gifts, singing, and positive involvement.

The Christmas Pageant Offering is in support of the Belize Summer Camp 2026 Mission Trip on July 11th–July 18th, 2026. This will be a summer day camp for up to 100 Belizean children ages 6–10. Grace & Holy Trinity youth (age 14 and up) and their adult mentors will plan and lead daily camp activities, with the help of two bilingual Belizean teachers. We hope you will consider supporting the 30 church participants making plans to go in July. Click here to learn more.

You may also give securely through our website by visiting ghtc.org/give, selecting “Give Now,” and choosing a fund for your special Christmas offering. Thank you for your generosity!

Festival of Christmas Lessons & Carols – Sunday, December 21 at 4:00 p.m.

This worship service, presented by the Parish Choir, accompanied by Luke Brennan, Assistant Choirmaster & Organist, and brass quintet, will include music by Biebl, Clausen, Handel, Holst, and Stopford conducted by Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis, Choirmaster & Organist. There will be a reception following the worship service hosted by the Hospitality Committee. Visitors can use the VCU West Main Street Parking Deck for complimentary parking by using the provided QR Code at the back of the bulletin.

Children’s Pageant with Holy Communion, Rite Two – Wednesday, December 24 at 4:00 p.m. and Invite a Friend!

The 4:00 p.m.Christmas Eve worship service will include the Children’s Pageant, musical offerings by the Children’s and Parish Choirs, youth instrumentalists, and flute and harp duo. If your kids are in the Christmas Pageant, we’d love for them to bring a friend along to participate! We have plenty of extra sheep and angel costumes for anyone who wants to jump in. Just come to the Church at 2:30 p.m. and we’ll have a costume ready for them. The prelude music will begin at 3:30 p.m. Visitors can use the VCU West Main Street Parking Deck for complimentary parking and VCU will have the exit gates open. A big thank you to Madeleine Preston, Director of Formation, and all the pageant participants! There will be no 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning worship service or livestream.

Christmas Eve Worship with Holy Communion – Wednesday, December 24 at 11:00 p.m.

The 11:00 p.m. traditional Christmas Eve worship service will include musical offerings by the Parish Choir soloists, and flute and harp duo. The prelude music will begin at 10:30 p.m. Visitors can use the VCU West Main Street Parking Deck for complimentary parking and VCU will have the exit gates open.

Christmas Day Worship with Holy Communion – Thursday, December 25 at 10:00 a.m.

The 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day worship service will include musical offerings and be held in the Chapel. Come celebrate on Christmas Day with us. Visitors can use the VCU West Main Street Parking Deck for complimentary parking and VCU will have the exit gates open.

Westminster Canterbury Happy Hour & Caroling Rescheduled to Epiphany – Tuesday, January 6 at 4:00 p.m.
All are invited to the rescheduled Westminster Canterbury Happy Hour on its new date of Tuesday, January 6th at 4:00 p.m. in the Courtyard 5th Floor Lounge. Bring your own drinks and food to share. Please register by calling the Parish Office at (804) 359-5628 x23 and speaking with Lauren Frazier.

Front Porch Forum Dinners – Begins Saturday, January 17, 2026

Our community will be offering a full course dinner before the Richmond Forum events in 2026. Sylvia May, a parishioner, choir member, and chef, along with Father Brent have planned this community building idea for utilizing our proximity to Altria Theatre. The four-course dinner will be in the Parish Hall on forum nights beginning on January 17th, 2016. The cost is $110 per person, which will include parking, drinks, and a four-course meal. Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. Richmond Forum doors open at 7:00 p.m., so dinner will end by 7:15 p.m. This could also be a great holiday gift to consider. Click here to make your reservations.

Leading Together – Vestry Nominating Committee Accepting Nominations Open through January 18, 2026

The Vestry and clergy create a shared vision for the life of Grace & Holy Trinity Church. The Vestry Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations of members to serve a three-year term on the Vestry. All nominations must be submitted no later than January 18th, 2026. Elections will be held at the Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, February 8th, with terms to begin immediately after the election. The new members of the Vestry will be elected by secret ballot, with the five candidates receiving the most votes being elected from among at least eight nominees. To submit the name of a member for consideration, please contact Jane Carlson, Nominating Committee Chair by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Nominating Committee Chair” from the drop-down menu or call (804) 358-4369. 

Holy Strollers Holiday Lights Walk – Monday, December 22 at 4:30 p.m.

Everyone is invited to the Holy Strollers Holiday Lights Walk. Meet at 4:30 p.m., sharp, Monday, December 22nd, on the sidewalk in front of Whole Foods grocery, 2024 W. Broad Street, for the short walk over to Monument Avenue. After admiring the beautifully decorated homes, we will stop at Chicken Fiesta for something to eat and drink. Susan will be in the parking lot at Grace & Holy Trinity at 4:00 p.m., if you would like to park there and can take six people in her car. We’ll leave for Whole Foods at 4:15 p.m. As always, dress for the weather, and a flashlight is a good idea, too.

If you’d like to join please call or text Susan Hankins at (804) 938-8440, or visit ghtc.org/contact and select “Holy Strollers” from the form’s drop-down menu.

2024 Lessons & Carols Available to Listen to on SoundCloud Now

Last year’s Festival of Lessons & Carols was professionally recorded and GHTC has released the full album on SoundCloud. Listen here to Lessons & Carols all season long in preparation for this year’s Christmas worship. Thank you to our musicians for putting this beautiful album together.

Intinction Behind the Altar Rail
Intinction (dipping the wafer in wine) during communion now takes place behind both communion rails. This change began on Sunday, November 30th. After you receive the wafer, simply pinch the wafer between your thumb and index finger and hold it up near your face. This will signal for the intinction cup to be brought to you. You will dip the wafer yourself and then receive. Please refrain from intincting in the regular chalice (common cup). A regular communion station will be located in the rear of the Church for your convenience. We hope this change is meaningful. 

2026 “Stewards of Hope” Update & Ongoing Pledges
Hope is at the heart of our life together. It steadies us in uncertain times, guides our worship, and empowers our service to the world. This year, as Stewards of Hope, we’re invited to anchor our giving in that same steady hope. Our 2026 goal is $800,000, which will support the four pillars of our shared ministry — Worship, Education, Parish Life, and Mission. Though we have celebrated Commitment Sunday already, we still invite you to prayerfully consider your gift and return your pledge by mail or through online giving. After Sunday, December 14th our total amount pledged is $702,450.80 and our total number of those pledged is 132.

Youth Ski Trip – Saturday, January 31

Middle and high school students are invited to go snow skiing and tubing on Saturday, January 31st at Massanutten Ski Resort. We will leave from the church at 7:00 a.m. and return by 6:00 p.m. The cost to attend is $50/person, and one friend is permitted per GHTC youth. Please register your child here by Monday, January 26th.

Morning Prayer Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8:45 a.m. Resumes January 6
The staff prays Morning Prayer together on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:45 a.m. to 9:05 a.m. in the Chapel and all are invited. Morning Prayer is a simple and reflective service which is part of the Daily Office. There will not be Morning Prayer on December 25th, December 30th, and January 1st. It will resume January 6th.

Bible Study Wednesdays at 9:45 a.m. Resumes January 7
Bible Study on Wednesdays from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in the Library is on Christmas Break and will resume on January 7th. This is a no homework or prior Biblical knowledge type of study. You can bring a Bible or borrow one. This Bible Study is designed to listen to how scripture touches our lives and what God might be calling us to be or do. An added bonus is the option to stay for A Service of Holy Eucharist with Healing at 11:00 a.m., two doors down in the Chapel.

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.

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.

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.
• 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.