Monday 09/07 Church & Parish Office closed in observance of Labor Day

Friday 09/11 6:30 p.m. Pride Eucharist hosted by St. Stephen’s with Greater Richmond Episcopal Churches (6000 Grove Avenue)

Sunday 09/13 9:00 a.m. Parish Life Parish Ministry Fair* (Parish Hall)
*Also available after worship.

Sunday 09/13 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Kick-Off (Sunday School Classrooms)

Sunday 09/13 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Blessing of the Backpacks* (Livestream Available | Church)
*8:00 a.m. Worship is regularly scheduled.

Sunday 09/13 11:45 a.m. Parish-wide Group Photo & Program Year Kick-Off Picnic (Monroe Park)

Wednesday 09/16 12:00 p.m. Stories & Lunch at The Pace Center hosted by GHTC (Volunteering begins at 10:30 a.m. | 700 W. Franklin Street)

Friday 09/18 5:00 p.m. Parents’ Night Out (Pick Up at 9:30 p.m. | Little Mexico, 1328 W. Cary Street)

Saturday 09/19 9:00 a.m. Holy Strollers walk to Potterfield Memorial Bridge (Meet at GHTC Parking Lot)

Sunday 09/20 9:00 a.m. Parish Breakfast Returns* (Parish Hall)
*The Sunday Breakfast Crew prepares a full breakfast twice a month, while we offer continental breakfast on the remaining Sundays. Refer to the schedule at ghtc.org/calendar.

Sunday 09/20 9:30 a.m. Outreach Grant Spotlight: Area Congregations Together in Service (ACTS), Circles RVA & ReEstablish Richmond (First Floor Classroom)

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

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

Thank You Luke Brennan!

Thank you to Luke Brennan who has served as our wonderful Assistant Choirmaster & Organist for the past year. Sunday, September 6th, is his last Sunday at Grace & Holy Trinity. Luke has enriched our worship services with his musical gifts. We are very grateful for Luke’s excellent musical leadership and dedicated service to the glory of God. We wish him many blessings in his new position!

Red Door Ministry Begins Men’s Clothing Call

Red Door Ministry has an immediate need for used men’s clothing that is clean and in good repair. Casual clothing is preferred. Please leave donations in the donation box by the elevator. If you are interested, please contact Andrew Peacock at (804) 320-2318 or by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Red Door” from the form’s drop-down menu.

Adult Forum Returns with Outreach Grant Spotlight – Sunday, September 20 at 9:30 a.m.

The Adult Forum returns for the program year on Sunday, September 20th at 9:30 a.m. featuring presentations by representatives from three Richmond area organizations receiving 2026 Outreach Grant support from GHTC. Together, the grants help them serve our community by ensuring housing stability for individuals and families, equipping families to permanently move out of poverty, and connecting refugee and immigrant families with resources they need to survive. The organizations are ReEstablish Richmond, Circles RVA and Area Congregations Together in Service (ACTS). Come hear about the wonderful work they do and we help support!

Parents’ Night Out Returns – Friday, September 18 with Drop Off at 5:00 p.m and Pick Up at 9:30 p.m.

Parents’ Night Out will return for the Program Year on Friday, September 18th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. All children and youth are invited to the church for dinner, games, and a movie. The parents’ meeting location is Little Mexico (1328 W. Cary Street). Please register your child here by Monday, September 14th.

Holy Strollers walk to Potterfield Memorial Bridge – Saturday, September 19 at 9:00 a.m.

Holy Strollers will begin their program year schedule by meeting at GHTC on Saturday, September 19th at 9:00 a.m. in order to walk at the James River over the Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge. The bridge sits atop the remnants of a former hydroelectric dam. This wheelchair, pedestrian and bike-friendly span links Brown’s Island to the north and Manchester to the south, and offers spectacular views of the power of the James River.

Parish Breakfast Returns – Sunday, September 20 at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday Parish Breakfast will return on Sunday, September 20th. The Sunday Breakfast Crew will prepare a full hot breakfast twice a month this year, while we will offer continental breakfast on the remaining Sundays. Refer to the schedule here or by visiting ghtc.org/calendar.

Program Year Kick-Off with Blessing of the Backpacks, Parish-wide Group Photo, & Picnic – Sunday, September 13

The parish will celebrate the kick-off of the 2026–2027 Program Year on Sunday, September 13th with the Blessing of the Backpacks at 10:30 a.m. worship, a parish-wide group photo following the recessional hymn, and a picnic in Monroe Park afterward at 11:45 a.m. If you or your children have backpacks to bless, please bring them to 10:30 a.m. worship. We ask parishioners with a last name beginning with A–K to bring either a dessert or fruit, while those with a last name beginning with L–Z to bring either a salad or side. You may drop off your dish in the servery on your way into church. We encourage everyone to bring chairs or a picnic blanket. If you are interested in helping with set up or breakdown, please contact Coco Provance at (804) 359-5628 x23 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select “Director of Administration & Facilities” from the drop-down menu.

“Parish Life” Parish Ministry Fair – Begins Sunday, September 13

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 Parish Life Parish Ministry Fair will begin on Sunday, September 13th 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!

Join the Parish Choir, Intergenerational Choir, or Youth Instrumental Ensemble

Volunteer singers are welcome to join the Parish Choir. The Parish Choir will rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. starting on September 3rd, 2026 and will sing at the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sundays from September 13th, 2026 to May 23rd, 2027. They will also sing at special worship services such as Choral Evensong, Festival of Christmas Lessons & Carols, and will present a major choral work with chamber ensemble in the spring of 2027.

Music Ministry is excited to announce that the Children’s Choir is now the Intergenerational Choir! All ages are accepted. We will still be singing for our Children and Youth Sundays. The first Sunday that we will sing will be October 25th, 2026. Click here for the rehearsal schedule.

All youth musicians (orchestral instruments, keyboards, guitars, and singers) from 4th grade through high school are invited to join the Youth Instrumental Ensemble, and we also welcome solo performances. Performances will be on select Children and Youth Sundays, and our first presentation will be October 25th, 2026.

If you are interested, have questions, or would like to join, visit ghtc.org/contact and select the music ministry group from the form’s drop-down menu.

Pride Eucharist hosted by St. Stephen’s with Greater Richmond Episcopal Churches – Friday, September 11th at 6:30 p.m.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will host the annual Pride Eucharist sponsored by churches of the Richmond regions of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia on Friday, September 11th at 6:30 p.m. This joyous occasion gives the wider community an opportunity to celebrate the lives and witness of LGBTQ+ people in the church and the world. The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, who served as Ninth Bishop of New Hampshire from 2003 to 2013, will preach. A festive reception will follow in the large fellowship hall. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Episcopal Church affirming that LGBTQ+ people have a full and equal claim to the love, acceptance, and pastoral care of the church.

Try a New Volunteer Role at The Pace Center’s “Stories & Lunch” hosted by GHTC – Wednesday, September 16

Share a meal and stories with curious college students! GHTC has once again accepted the invitation from The Pace Center to provide lunch for about 60 VCU students on Wednesday, September 16th. Pace’s weekly “Stories & Lunch” program helps students connect through communities of all ages and backgrounds. Do you love to cook for others? Volunteer to prepare the meal! Do you enjoy sharing with different generations? Come to lunch, learn about the students’ stories, and make friends! Meal prep begins at 10:30 a.m. at The Pace Center (700 W. Franklin Street) and lunch begins at 12:00 p.m. To volunteer, contact Chuck Bleick by calling (804) 363-7181 or by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Outreach Grants” (Chuck) from the form’s drop-down menu.

Sunday School Kick-Off  – Sunday, September 13 at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School for elementary and middle school students starts Sunday, September 13th! Elementary students will hear a Godly Play story, and middle schoolers will have a time of fellowship, games, and prayer. Parents are welcome to drop in and observe and meet the teachers. Classrooms are located on the second floor of the Parish House. We look forward to seeing you there!

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. 

August 2026 Vestry Meeting Highlights

After much deliberation and creative thought, the Vestry approved a revised Mission Statement for Grace & Holy Trinity Church.

“With bells ringing, beautiful song, and red doors open,
we joyfully welcome all to engage in God’s love:
feeding body and soul through worship, service, formation, and fellowship.” 

The Vestry reviewed the pastoral care plan that Fr. Brent provided. Of note is a well-thought-out commitment to maintain close ties with all congregants, especially our oldest parishioners. In addition, parishioners are strongly encouraged to call the pastoral care emergency number when the church office is closed. The on-call number, (804) 322-3758, is the best way to reach a member of the clergy after hours. Saving this number in your cell phone’s contact list and using it when needed, will improve pastoral care partnerships at GHTC.  

Plans are underway to continue the annual outreach grant program for nonprofit organizations. This will be the program’s third year of providing funds to local charitable groups who apply for financial assistance from GHTC. 

The summer’s repair work in the Nave is largely complete; the scaffolding and curtains have come down. Some areas where pews were removed will remain open while the leadership discerns the best use for those spaces. You will notice the piano was moved to the pulpit side of the church.

St. Andrew’s School Supply Drive

St. Andrew’s School is back in session, and we are collecting school supplies to donate to their classrooms. You can donate either by using this Amazon Wishlist or by bringing supplies to the bin in the Parish Hall by Sunday, September 13th. Their main needs are: disinfecting wipes, tissue boxes, paper towels, white cardstock, AA and AAA batteries, Crayola markers (8 ct), Crayola crayons (24 ct), Ticonderoga pencils (72 ct), Elmer’s glue, and post-it notes.

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.