Sunday 09/27 9:30 a.m. Parish Life Spotlight: Spirited Readers Book Club, Spirited Sisters & Holy Strollers (First Floor Classroom)

Sunday 10/04 10:30 a.m. Outdoor Holy Eucharist with Blessing of the Animals* (8 N. Laurel Street)
*The service will be recorded and posted to youtube.com/@ghtc afterwards. 8:00 a.m. worship is regularly scheduled.

Sunday 10/04 4:00 p.m. Divine Diners Outing (Toast, 3038 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard)

Saturday 10/10 9:00 a.m. National Acolyte Festival (Washington National Cathedral)

Saturday 10/10 9:30 a.m. Holy Strollers walk to Bandy Field (Meet at River Road Shopping Center, 6201 River Road)

Monday 10/12 Church & Parish Office Closed in Observance of Indigenous People’s Day

Saturday 10/17 9:00 a.m. Episcopal Church Women’s Annual Meeting (Parish Hall & Church)

Sunday 10/18 9:00 a.m. Formation Parish Ministry Fair* (Parish Hall) *Also available after worship.

Sunday 10/18 12:30 p.m. St. Andrew’s Service Project (St. Andrew’s School, 227 S. Cherry Street)

Thursday 10/22 7:00 p.m. Compline Service (Livestream Available | Church)

Sunday 10/25 10:30 a.m. Children & Youth Sunday* (Livestream Available | Church)
*8:00 a.m. worship is regularly scheduled. Reminder: Swap Meet RVA takes place in Monroe Park and may cause traffic delays or road closures.

Sunday 10/25 11:45 a.m. Grace & HolyWeen! (Parish Hall)

Tuesday 10/27 12:30 p.m. VCU Convocation (Free Admission | Church)

Saturday 10/31 10:00 a.m. Holy Strollers Halloween Walk to Fan District (Meet at GHTC Parking Lot)

Sunday 11/01 9:30 a.m. Formation Spotlight: Godly Play (First Floor Classroom)

Sunday 11/01 11:45 a.m. All Saints’ Day Reception (Parish Hall)

Friday 11/06 5:00 p.m. Parents’ Night Out (Pick-Up at 9:30 p.m. | Parents’ Location TBD)

Sunday 11/08 9:00 a.m. Mission Parish Ministry Fair* (Parish Hall) *Also available after worship.

Sunday 11/08 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with VCU’s Vox Concordia Treble Choir & Vocal Chamber Ensemble (Livestream Available | Church) 

Sunday 11/08 4:00 p.m. Choral Evensong for Veterans Day & Day of Remembrance (Livestream Available | Church)

Adult Formation Parish Life Spotlight: Spirited Readers Book Club, Spirited Sisters & Holy Strollers – This Sunday, September 27 at 9:30 a.m

Mary Ann Blankenship and Susan Hankins will share a bit about their parish life ministries. Come hear what the Spirited Readers Book Club, Spirited Sisters, and Holy Strollers are up to this year and how you can get involved! We will meet in the First Floor Classroom at 9:30 a.m.

Outdoor Holy Eucharist with Blessing of the Animals – Next Sunday, October 4 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! The service will be recorded and posted to youtube.com/@ghtc afterwards, so there will not be a  livestream. 8:00 a.m. worship is regularly scheduled.

Divine Diners First Outing of the Program Year – Next Sunday, October 4 at 4:00 p.m.

The Divine Diners first dinner of the 2026–2027 Program Year will be at Toast, New American Gastropub (3038 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23230) on Sunday, October 4th at 4:00 p.m.” If you are interested in joining dinner, please RSVP by Wednesday, September 30th with Debra Cole by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Divine Diners” from the form’s drop-down menu or by
calling (804) 402-7943.

Youth Trip to the National Acolyte Festival in Washington, D.C. – Saturday, October 10

All middle and high school acolytes, or those curious about serving as acolytes, are invited to attend the National Acolyte Festival on Saturday, October 10th at the Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016). We will be traveling with youth from St. James’s, St. Matthew’s, Christ Church, and St. Stephen’s. Please register here.

Formation Parish Ministry Fair – Begins Sunday, October 18 at 9:00 a.m.

This year we are having the beloved Ministry Fair over four sessions, one representing each of our four pillars: Worship, Parish Life, Formation, and Mission. The Formation Parish Ministry Fair will begin on Sunday, October 18th at 9:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall and also be available after worship.  The ministries’ displays will stay set up for a few weeks. This hopefully will allow more members to connect with more group leaders. Blessings!

Recycling Update at Grace & Holy Trinity Church

Grace & Holy Trinity is introducing a new recycling system thanks to the volunteer work of our young person Kieran Johnston. Blue recycle bins will accompany each trash receptacle around the building and will be labeled with what can be recycled in each. Help us be good stewards of God’s gift of creation!

Outreach Grant Applications Open Now through October 15

GHTC is accepting applications to support community organizations and facilitate volunteer opportunities during the 2027 calendar year. The Outreach Grant Program provides financial support to non-profit organizations that promote Christian beliefs and principles through their services or programs. It is the commitment of GHTC to reach out to the community with God’s spirit of love, help and hope. Submit your application by clicking the “Grant Application Form” button found at ghtc.org/grants-and-partners. The deadline for consideration of 2027 Grant support is October 15th, 2026. 

Sunday Volunteer Project at St. Andrew’s School – Sunday, October 18 at 12:15 p.m.

St. Andrew’s School, our elementary school partner in Oregon Hill, is in full swing for their Fall semester and could use help with some light tasks. All ages are invited to volunteer. We’ll have a boxed lunch at GHTC after 10:30 a.m. worship on Sunday, October 18th and then walk or drive to St. Andrew’s to volunteer for 1 to 2 hours. Everyone is welcome to join in, but please RSVP to Pastor Marissa by Wednesday, October 14th if you would like a boxed lunch by calling the church office at (804) 359-5628 x16 or by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting her from the form’s drop-down menu.

All Saints’ Sunday Family Member Prayer Requests – Due Sunday, October 25 

On All Saints’ Sunday, November 1st, we celebrate and remember the lives of those who have died since last November. You are invited to submit the names of family members who have passed away. Their names will be read aloud at the altar to honor their memory and commend them to God. Please submit names by Sunday, October 25th. To include a name, please fill out this form or call Director of Administration & Facilities Coco Provance at (804) 359-5628 x23. 

Compline Worship Service – Thursday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Compline, from the Latin compleo, meaning “to complete,” marks the end of the day’s liturgical cycle. On Thursday, October 22nd at 7:00 p.m., GHTC will hold a compline service containing scripture readings, psalms, confessions, hymns, and prayers for protection. This informal service will last about 20 minutes and it will be led by members of our Parish Choir. This will be a way to connect as a community towards the end of the week and experience the beauty and stillness of this ancient service. Please invite others to attend this meaningful and contemplative time of reflection.

Children and Youth Sunday with Grace & HolyWeen – Sunday, October 25 at 10:30 a.m.

Children and Youth Sunday is coming up on Sunday, October 25. The Intergenerational Choir and Youth Instrumental Ensemble will lead us in worship, and all young people are invited to participate as lay readers, ushers, greeters, or chalice bearers. After the service, we will have our annual Grace & HolyWeen celebration, so bring your costume! If your child is interested in serving, please contact Madeleine Preston by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting her from the form’s drop-down menu.

Episcopal Church Women’s Annual Meeting – Saturday, October 17 at 9:00 a.m. 

The 2026 Diocesan Episcopal Church Women’s Fall Meeting will be held at Grace & Holy Trinity Church on Saturday, October 17th beginning at 9:00 a.m. with a continental breakfast and registration. Come join us as we welcome Lisa Kimball, Ph.D., recently retired from the faculty at the Virginia Theological Seminary. Her topic will address “living our baptismal covenant.” The business meeting will take place at 9:45 a.m. followed at 10:00 a.m. by the speaker, questions, Eucharist with the Rev. Jenny Montgomery, and closing out with lunch. To register for the event go to ecwvirginia.org/events. If you have any questions, please contact Catherine Perrin at catherineperrin@comcast.net. 

How to Help with ReEstablish Richmond Classes for Refugees and Immigrants

ReEstablish Richmond is one of this year’s outreach grant recipients and came to speak at our Adult Forum last Sunday. GHTC’s own Nancy Trego has joined with their Manager of Newcomer Education Jo Patzig, to supply refreshments for their adult classes on Mondays, October 26th and December 7th. ReEstablish is looking for donations of large boxes of pastries, large bottles of lemonade or juice, large containers of fruit (“The more fruit the better!”), and bags of mixed nuts. The organization is also in desperate need of drivers to classes. If you are interested in helping donate supplies or drive, please call or text Nancy Trego at (804) 306-9204.

VCU Convocation – Tuesday, October 27 at 12:30 p.m.

Join us on Tuesday, October 27th at 12:30 p.m. in the church for a special performance featuring talented student musicians from Virginia Commonwealth University. The program will showcase performers from VCU’s wind, brass, voice, and piano studios. They will offer a varied selection of music that highlights the artistry, dedication, and versatility of these emerging musicians. Admission is free.

Welcome to our fourth Hill Brown Music Scholar Maya James & Thank You to Hope Armstrong Erb

We are very excited to welcome our fourth Hill Brown Music Scholar Maya James. We are grateful for Maya’s musical gifts which will enhance our worship services and to those who contributed to the Hill Brown Music Scholars Fund. Thanks to the Music Committee for their help with the selection process for the Hill Brown Music Scholars.

Thank you as well to Hope Armstrong Erb for her beautiful piano musical offerings and for accompanying the Parish Choir for our worship services in September. We are very grateful to Hope for sharing her musical gifts with us.

Highlights from the September 16, 2026, Vestry Meeting

1. The Vestry was delighted with the success of the rainy day indoor picnic on Kick-Off Sunday, September 13th, and thanked the organizers – Kristin Green, Kathleen Thomas, and Mary Cay Kollmansperger – along with the hard-working church staff and other volunteers who made the event possible.
2. Work on the physical plant continues. The firm of Salas O’Brien soon will begin a comprehensive analysis of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems. An architect has been engaged to prepare specifications for repairs to the building envelope of GHTC. Additionally, a multi-year effort to replace leather parts in the organ should be completed in a few months. Billy McGuire and Coco Provance have been of great help to the Property Committee. The Vestry is most appreciative of their tireless efforts.
3. Applications for an outreach grant are available on the ghtc.org website. The deadline to apply is Thursday, October 15th. For two years, a generous donor funded the program anonymously. Now, GHTC has assumed responsibility for the program.
4. The Stewardship Campaign begins in mid-September. Marshall Morton will spearhead the effort, and the Vestry thanked him for doing so. Pledge Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, November 1st.
5. The annual parish-wide Oyster Roast will be Sunday, November 15th at 4:00 p.m. Brad Sauer has kindly agreed to host the festive fall celebration. Put it on your calendar now, for a beautiful evening of fellowship, good times, and delicious food. Don’t miss it!

Mission & Outreach at GHTC Video Release

Pastor Marissa shares introductions to Grace and Holy Trinity’s many active and engaged Outreach Ministries in this educational video. Outreach at GHTC provides fun and meaningful ways to love and serve our neighbors near and far! Watch the full video here and learn more information on how to get involved at ghtc.org/mission.

Pastoral Care Phone Number
A Pastoral Care Line is 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. If you would like to email with the clergy, please use pastoralcare@ghtc.org.

Whom do I contact for…?

If you have a question or need to contact GHTC, please use the list of staff members and their respective subjects below to help direct you.

Worship Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent A. Melton
Mission Questions | Chuck Bleick, The Rev. Marissa Sotos & The Rev. Steve Pace
Communications Questions | The Rev. Marissa Sotos
Formation Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent A. Melton & Madeleine Preston
Pastoral Care Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent A. Melton
Music Questions | Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis
Paying Your Pledge | Jane Coffey
Administration & Facilities Questions | Coco Provance
Vestry Questions | Lisa Dawson
Campus Ministry Questions | The Rev. Russ Kerr

For questions outside of these subjects, please see the full listings in the form dropdown below or call (804) 359-5268. Please do not send any financial information or sensitive personal data using this form. Contact Jane Coffey at (804) 359-5628 x14 to discuss financial gifts.

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.

Get Involved with 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. 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. If you have questions, please contact the Rev. Russ Kerr by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Campus Minister” from the drop-down menu.