Pride Eucharist & Reception
Friday, September 26 | 6:00 p.m.
Hosted by Episcopal Churches of the Greater Richmond Area &
The Pace Center with the Community Pride Choir
at Grace & Holy Trinity Church
(Livestream Available | Reception to Follow in Parish Hall)
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.
- 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 Assistant Choirmaster Luke Brennan at ghtc.org/contact and select “Assistant Choirmaster & Organist” from the drop-down menu.
Where do I park?
Handicapped parking is available in front of the Church on N. Laurel Street, and is marked by signs. There are also spaces in the lot immediately behind the church, within the parking gates. A entrance ramp is located on the N. Laurel Street side of the building and an elevator is located at the N. Cherry Street entrance, at the rear. General parking is available on the street, in the lot directly behind the church, and paid parking at the Virginia Commonwealth University West Main Street Parking Deck, one block away, at the corner of N. Laurel Street. and W. Main Street.
Since you are visiting the church during the week, off street parking is available in the alley between the church and the Altria Theater. These parking spots are designated with purple parking bumpers and are available anytime. After 5:30 p.m., the whole parking lot, including the yellow parking bumpers, is available for visitor use.
Where do I go once I arrive?
From our front entrance on N. Laurel Street, you will turn left to walk through the narthex, or lobby, and go into our main sanctuary. We will have plenty of staff and volunteers ready to guide you. To the right of the narthex is our Parish Hall, where you will find activities, refreshments, and restrooms. If entering through our back door from the parking lot, you will proceed down the hallway, through the Parish Hall, and then turn right into the sanctuary.
Are children welcome?
Yes, we are very family-friendly and encourage children and youth in worship. A Youth Group Activity will be offered prior to the service at 4:30 p.m. with Director of Formation Madeleine Preston. Please meet at the gazebo in Monroe Park.
No nursery staff will be available. If young children get fussy, you are welcome to use our library to the right of the narthex. We also have changing tables in the family restroom located in the Choir Room.
Can I take communion?
All are welcome and encouraged to come forward and receive the sacrament. If you do not wish to receive communion, you may come forward, cross your arms across your chest, and a receive a blessing. If you are not physically able to come up for communion, let an usher know, and the worship leaders will bring the Holy Sacrament to you.
Communion from the Common Cup is available from the Altar Stations only. Communicants will drink from the Chalice at the Altar. Alternatively, communicants who receive the Bread may refrain from drinking from the Chalice; those who refrain from drinking from the Chalice are encouraged to cross their arms and to say “Amen” when the Chalice is offered. The full grace of the sacrament is communicated through the Bread.
Communion by intinction is available by the server with the gold vessel, located at the baptismal font. The Priest will intinct the Bread into the Common Cup while the Chalice Bearer assists them, using a larger size wafer to facilitate intinction. After receiving, exit to the left to make your way back to your pew. The same intinction method will be observed in the pews.
If you prefer to receive the sacrament while seated in the congregation, please raise your bulletin and the Eucharistic Ministers will bring the sacrament to you. For a gluten-free wafer, please bring a blue gluten-free card from the pew rack to the altar rail. If you do not wish to receive Communion, you may come forward for a blessing.