This Sunday’s Gospel • Luke 3:1-6
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis...[continue reading]. Lectionary scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Please join us online for virtual worship on Sunday, December 13 at ghtc.org via YouTube.
Our New Rector Begins January 2021
We are excited to announce that Grace and Holy Trinity Church has called a new Rector. Please welcome The Rev. Duane J. Nettles who comes to us from New Orleans, Louisiana. He will begin his work in Richmond in early January 2021. Learn more about Duane at this link.
Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols
The adult choir and James River Brass will present a pre-recorded Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols, including music by Cooman, Handel, Holst, Praetorius, Rutter, and Thomas, this Sunday, December 13 on our YouTube page and website. This is our Sunday parish worship service and we invite your participation in singing praises and in offering prayers.

The soloists will be Courtney Scottow, soprano; Caroline Whisnant, soprano; Victoria Williams, soprano; and Chase Peak, bass. Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis, Lawrence Heath and Mark Koontz will be the organists and Hope Armstrong Erb will be the pianist. The music will be conducted by Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis and Hope Armstrong Erb. Featured music will include “Adam Lay Ybounden” by Carson Cooman and the hymn “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending.”
Christmas and New Year’s at Red Door
Red Door Ministry is changing gears this holiday season. On Friday, December 18, 2020, when we distribute our bagged meals, we will also give each person a gift card for two meals. If you are interested in donating towards these cards' purchases, please donate using our online giving form by December 10, 2020. Mark your donation for Red Door Christmas so that we know it goes towards this one time purchase. 
fChristmas Pageant Uploads Close Dec. 12 - Cast Party during Dec. 20 Coffee Hour
Our digital Christmas Pageant is coming up soon on Dec. 20 during virtual worship, and before virtual worship is available to view we will be having a special cast party during coffee hour where you can meet some of the great kids participating this year, talk about favorite pageant memories, and share in the joy of the final Sunday of Advent. And don’t forget, if you have signed up for a role in the digital pageant the video of your part is needed by Dec. 12 at this Dropbox account. Please reach out to Nick Sollog (Pageant Director) or Aaron Davis for any questions about this year’s pageant.
Christmas Ministry
Thank you to everyone's generosity in helping us sponsor 24 children this year! In addition we have been able to give several families Kroger giftcards. Be sure to keep in touch with Nancy Smith for more information about gift collection and distribution dates. Gifts should be picked up or delivered between Dec 7-13. Drop off in Church parking lot is Dec 13 from noon-1:00 pm. Gifts will be given to families on Dec. 14.
Interfaith Holiday Memorial service
For more than a decade, Richmond area faith communities and schools have sponsored an annual interfaith Holiday Memorial Service for any who have experienced the loss of a child, and we are honored to serve as a sponsor this year. Given concern about gatherings indoors, this year’s observance will take place at the corner of Grove Avenue and Three Chopt Road, on the lawn of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church (6000 Grove Avenue) on Monday, December 14, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. The rain date is Tuesday, December 15. Luminaria bags and candles will be placed throughout the grounds of St. Stephen’s at Three Chopt and Grove, and family members may come at any point during the 6-8 p.m. window to light one, remember their child, and perhaps to say a prayer or say the child's name aloud. Family members are invited to submit the names of their deceased children in writing, along with any tribute they wish to offer, and these will be distributed to the sponsoring congregations, so that we can all pray for these families during the holiday season. Please use this link to submit names.
Donating Appreciated Stock to the Church
As the Generosity Campaign for 2021 continues through December, some people choose to fulfill their pledge commitment by donating stocks, mutual funds or other securities. Check out this information to share with your broker if you would like to make this type of gift to Grace and Holy Trinity. Questions? Contact Judy Bowman or Barb Dodd at the church. Your generous financial support is appreciated, especially during this most unusual year!
Winter Wellness 2020-2021
Thanks to Estelle Brodeur and Caroline Coffill, partnering with Mother Kim to bring us resources to connect our Bodies, Minds, and Spirits during this challenging winter. We will offer a weekly invitation to care for our whole being. Resources will be on our website, Facebook, and eNews beginning on 12/23, running through 3/10. We will meet as a group to check in on 1/13, 2/10, and 3/10 at 1:00 p.m. 

Join us for an informational Zoom meeting on 12/16 at 1:00 p.m. to learn more about how you can participate, to ask questions, and to meet other folks who are interested in this seasonal support group!

Meeting ID: 722 6212 8056
Passcode: Wellness
Race at Grace
As we continue to endeavor to respect the dignity of every human being, and love one another as Christ loves us, with God’s help. You are invited to add your own recommendations to the list of reading, watching, and listening materials on our website and to participate in the journey towards racial equity, relationship building, on your own journey. Recent additions to the resources have come from Nick Sollog and Nancy Trego. Thank you for the recommendations! Contact Mo. Kim or Bill if you’d like to add your voice to the conversation. A link and a short reflection of the material is greatly appreciated.
Next Steps Committee
Your Vestry is constituting a committee to look at the next steps for us as a parish to respond to the important issues of racial equity and justice. In order to tap into your wisdom and commitment, the Vestry is seeking parishioner volunteers to be a part of this committee. If you are interested, or just want to know more, please contact Thomas Ewers or Barbara Derry
Staying in Touch
Over the past few months we have continued to stay in touch with our church family. If you’d like to join one of these fellowship groups, please contact the leader listed below or click here to learn more.

  • Donna Campbell's group will include a weekly devotion and informal conversation with a focus on the positive. You can reach Donna at 804-389-0477.
  • Chase Peak will be facilitating a six week faith-based personality study featuring I Said This, You Heard That conversation resources.
  • Kathleen Thomas will explore Christian themes in art, music, poetry, and literature.