Radical welcome. Faithful worship. Compassionate service. 

21 January 2018
Third Sunday After the Epiphany

8:00 am Holy Eucharist

9:15 am Family Service

11:00 am Holy Eucharist with Parish Choir

Coffee Hours after 8 and 9:15 am services are held in Guild Hall; after 11 am service, in the rear of church.

For detailed information about the parish calendar, ministries, and outreach please click the link below.
2018 Annual Meeting of Grace Church Brooklyn Heights

Vivian Toan accepting gifts of departure from the vestry as outgoing Senior Warden

The 2018 Annual Meeting of Grace Church Brooklyn Heights was held on Tuesday, January 16. Jim Hagen opened and closed the meeting with well-loved prayers and gave thoughtful observations on what it has been like to work with the people of Grace throughout the past year and during Anne Richard’s injury and illness. We elected Marilyn Grant to a two-year term as Warden and members of the Vestry who begin three-year terms: Chris Larson, Brianna McCarty, Lauren O’Garro-Moore, and Jim Williamson and those members of the Vestry who begin a second three-year term: Andrew Foote and Abagail Nelson. We reported on the highlights of 2017, with a moving report from our Search Co-Chairs Barbara Becker and Vivian Harrison on what it meant to work with such a dedicated team on what was really such a sacred mission. Our thanks go again to members of the Committee: Thomas Baldwin, Sarah Davies, Marilyn Grant, Chris Larson, Brianna McCarty, Anne Silver, Michael Rycheck, Anne Silver, and Craig Whitney. We also gave our thanks to those members of the Vestry whose terms have expired: John Colon, Martha Dietz and Tom Hill. We acknowledged the loss of Bill Newbury and gave thanks for his commitment to the Vestry of Grace Church as well as to Priscilla Newbury who served as Treasurer. We received a summary of the Church’s financial position from James Grohsgal. Finally, we gave thanks for the faith, dedication and commitment of Vivian Toan who has completed a six-year term as Warden, having seen the Church through a capital campaign, major restoration and new Rector search. Upon Vivian’s retirement, Kate Rock became Senior Warden. We closed the evening with “Shall We Gather by the River?” a favorite hymn of Anne's, whose absence was keenly felt. 

The meeting was preceded by a potluck supper with contributions from all who attended. The dishes were varied and delicious — thank you all! 

Please read the 2018 Annual Report, reporting on the Year 2017, here . 

Copies of the Annual Report are also available on the Welcome Table at the back of the Church. If they are no longer available, please contact Christian DeRuiter in the parish office.

REMINDER: Memorial Service for Bill Mead
THIS Saturday, January 20

A memorial service will be held here at Grace for Bill Mead THIS Saturday, January 20 , beginning 11:00 am in the sanctuary, with a reception to follow in Guild Hall.
Lay Help at the 9:15 Family Service
This lively service relies on the help of many to offer the chalice, read the prayers of the people, collect the offering and serve as acolytes. But we realize that there are gaps in our understanding and that we don’t all know how the pieces fit together or even all the details of our specific responsibilities. Please join Jim Hagen, Kate Rock and Linda Wexelblatt THIS Sunday, January 21 , at 10 am in the North Room to learn more about lay help at the Family Service and also how you can volunteer. For more information contact Jim or Kate .  
The 2018 Annual Giving Campaign is winding up!
Please submit your pledge by January 31! Thank you to the many, many members of the Grace community who have already submitted a pledge for the coming year. If you have not, there is still time to stand up and be counted as a pledging member of our parish. This is especially important this year as we welcome a new Rector. You can pledge online through your Realm account, this form , or filling out and returning a pledge card.

Requiesce in pace 
The Reverend
Anne F.C. Richards
Interim Rector
January 4, 1951 to
January 12, 2018
Please see this link for a beautiful obituary that includes memorial service information. Grace's tribute is here .
Invitation to the Ordination of John Musco
Saturday, January 27

The parish of Grace Church Brooklyn Heights is cordially invited to the Ordination to the Diaconate of John Musco on Saturday, January 27 , at 11 am , at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, New York. Join us as we celebrate this achievement of one of our own. John, a longtime member of Grace and former director of lay ministries, is currently a co-mentor of our Education for Ministry program. Several of us will be driving out on the 27th and if you would like to catch a ride, please contact Kate Rock.
Next Burning Books meeting Tuesday,
January 30
Burning Books meets next to discuss When Breath Becomes Air , by Paul Kalantithi, on Tuesday, January 30, 7:30 pm in the Choir Room. It is available on Amazon. Please join us!

The next two selections are:
A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman, on February 27 and Evicted , by Matthew Desmond, on March 27.

WinterFair is coming: Saturday, February 3
WINTERFAIR 2018 is Saturday, February 3, from 10 am to 3 pm ! We are accepting donations of kids’ toys & clothes, women's and men’s clothing, household items and books. Bring your donations to the gym. And please, be kind to your Fair volunteers by sorting like items into separate bags and boxes and placing them in the assigned locations. There will be an organizing meeting for all area heads and interested volunteers on Sunday, January 21 , at 10:00 am in the Guild Hall and at 12:30 pm in the Choir Room.   
2018 Annual Bishop's Forum and Reception at Grace
Wednesday, February 7
Here is the schedule of events, which begin in the sanctuary, and conclude in Guild Hall:

5:30 pm - Evensong
6:15 pm - Forum with Bishop Provenzano
7:15 pm - Members' and Guests' Reception 
 
Join Bishop Provenzano's forum for the latest news on the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Long Island, followed by a reception in Guild Hall.
 
Parishioners of Grace Church Brooklyn Heights are invited as guests by the Church Club of New York, free of charge. See here for more information, and to RSVP for free as a Grace parishioner (scroll to the bottom tier in "Tickets").
Tuesday Bible Study continues
The Tuesday morning Bible study group continues in the Choir Room at 10:30 am with the Rev. Craig Townsend, associate for faith formation at St. Ann and the Holy Trinity, discussing Biblical Images.  This group has now met for the past twelve years, lead over the years. For a fascinating summary of the topics, see a list compiled by parishioner Ben Bankson!
Pastoral Care available
Please remember that a priest is available for hospital and home visits, and also to meet in the office for informal discussion of personal issues. Jim Hagen’s phone is 917-627-0771. Small cards are available on the table at the church entrance with email and phone information.
Pastoral News and Prayer Concerns
Parish Prayer Concerns: Wendy; Sally; Sybil; Jacob; Eric and Frances; Karl; Robert; Mary; and Martha, our former pastoral assistant.
Grace Church | 254 Hicks Street | Brooklyn NY 11201