This Sunday's Announcements

Today at 10 a.m. - Blessing of Gardens and Gardeners
Join us for an early Rogation Day liturgy featuring a blessing of gardeners and rogation prayers where we will process outside and bless our little corner of creation at the end of worship. Bring seeds, bulbs, soil, tools, to be blessed during worship, and to wear your gardening attire to church. 

Today at 11:30 a.m. - Coffee & Conversation
Join us for coffee and conversations in the Whiteman Room & Cloisters on May 3; May 24; June 7. To volunteer, email Allyson Michael at [email protected]. 

May 4 - New Office Hours in Effect
This spring and summer we will experiment with a shift in office hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays (closed holidays).

May 12 at 6:30 p.m. - 2026 Annual Peacemaker Awards
The Interfaith Council of Franklin County and the Traprock Peace Center invite all to the Annual Peacemakers Award Ceremony that celebrates the activism of youth in our community. The celebration will be on Tuesday, May 12,  6:30 pm at All Souls Unitarian Church on Main St. in Greenfield when thirteen area high school students will be honored .  Doors will open at 6pm. The awardees will describe their work and receive various honors, with a keynote address from a previous young honoree, music and song. The event is free, and people of all ages are invited.

May 13 at 12:15 p.m. - Bach’s Lunch Concert
The next Bach’s Lunch concert will take place on Wednesday, May 13 at 12:15 p.m. The Egmont Ensemble will perform string quartets by Mozart and Dvořák. The concert is free. Audience members are invited to bring their own lunch to eat during the concert.

May 17 at 11:00 a.m. - Blessing of Bicycles 
Cyclists of all ages and abilities are invited and welcomed to have their wheels blessed on the Community Labyrinth on the church lawn at the end of worship. 

May 24 at 10 a.m. - Pentecost Lessons & Carols & Welcoming Newcomers
We will celebrate the church’s birthday and welcome newcomers. You are invited to wear red, a color that symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Immediately following worship we hope to welcome Morris and Molly Dancers on the lawn to demonstrate two forms of traditional English folk dancing that were historically performed on Pentecost. Followed by a special Coffee & Conversation in the Cloisters. 

May 28 at 9 a.m. - Celebration of Life for Shirley Seaman
Join us for a celebration of life for Shirley Seaman in the Church on Thursday, May 28 at 9 a.m. followed by a reception in the parish hall. 

June 7 at 10 a.m. - Bishop Visitation
Our new bishop will join us for a visitation that will feature baptisms, confirmations, receptions, and more followed by Coffee & Conversation. 

June 13 at 12 p.m. - Save the Date for Franklin County Pride
Mark your calendars for June 13 at 12 pm for the Franklin County Pride Parade. We will gather on our front lawn to show our support and solidarity. If you have questions or want to help, contact Erin Donnally Drake, [email protected]. 

Rev. Heather Away
Rev. Heather will be away May 4-10 for continuing education, and then at a diocesean retreat May 12-16, returning  Sunday, May 17. For pastoral emergencies, call (413) 773-3925 and our answer serving will connect you to the appropriate person.

Welcoming Newcomers Liturgy on Pentecost 
Each year on Pentecost we invite folks who have been exploring our community to consider becoming members. This year our Pentecost Lessons & Carols worship will be on May 24 at 10 a.m.  We think about membership as three P’s: regular presence in our community worship; participation in the life and ministries of the parish; and pledging to support this parish and our outreach efforts with an annual or ongoing financial gift. You do not need to be baptized or a confirmed Episcopalian to join as members of this parish. If you are interested in baptism or confirmation, please contact the office. If you consider yourself a newcomer or a newly returned member, please join us for this special liturgy when invited to come forward. Questions? Contact Rev. Heather. 

Safe Church Training
There is a new model for Safe Church Training in our diocese, being facilitated by Interim Safe Church Officer Rev. Dr. Molly Scherm and Safe Church Trainer Dan Carew. It requires watching modules at home through Praesidium, at your leisure, and then attending a 90 minute integration session for the first time attending safe church, or a 60 minute refresher (required every 3 years). Learn more here, and contact the office for SsJA’s Praesidium code to access modules. Safe church certificates should be forwarded to the office.

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