Grace La Gracia Church
33 Church Street White Plains, NY 10601
 If you are visiting with us for the first time, we welcome you to G r ace Church!
Our liturgy is found in the Book of Common Prayer.
Our communion is open to all baptized Christians.
Please take the time to fill out one of our visitor which the ushers have available.
Your presence is a blessing to us may our worship together be a blessing to you.
The Rev. Dr. Chip Graves, Rector
The Rev. Adolfo Moronta
The Gospel According to Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30


Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Grace Church Family,

Our Tuesday and Thursday Compline Worship can be viewed 9:00 PM on Face Book and 9:30 PM on You Tube (link sent)

Our Wednesday Prayer Worship can be viewed at 9:00 AM on Face Book and 9:30 AM on You Tube (link sent)

Our Sunday Worship can be viewed at 10 AM on You Tube (link sent)
Thoughts from the Senior Warden (June 15, 2020)
 
Fa ther Chip sent out a request to the Vestry for ideas on an anti-racism plan for Grace Episcopal Church/La Gracia last week. One suggestion was to offer courses/programs for the wider community to discuss changes that need to be implemented right here in White Plains. As a separate suggestion, I offered to reach out to our local elected officials to see if they would be interested in participating in a forum on social justice. I was encouraged to get immediate responses from County Legislator Alfreda Williams, White Plains Mayor Tom Roach – and was given the name of Mayo Bartlett (who was appointed by County Executive George Latimer to head a task force on multiple issues designed to improve social conditions). This initial meeting is designed to be the first of a series of forums that will start the healing process in a world that desperately needs clarity on where we’re going, input from all and unity. The forum was scheduled for July 1 at 7:00pm but, as it turns out, there is a virtual retreat that the Episcopal Diocese of New York is recommending called “Knee on My Neck: Slavery’s Ghost”. This is a five-week virtual retreat which begins Juneteenth and continues each Wednesday through the 15 th of July. Participants need to commit to joining the entire series (as it is cumulative). I support the diocese in promoting this series and will change the date of our forum to avoid any conflict. Grace Church/La Gracia is a thought leader and trusted voice in our community. I would welcome ideas on future forums and believe that we can truly make a difference. It would be inconsistent with our history not to respond to the needs of those around us.
 
As we enter the 10 th week of feeding the hungry through the “God in Action – Food Alliance” here at Grace/La Gracia, I would ask for your support as we enter a pivotal stage in the creation of this new ministry. Securing food at a considerable discount to the retail price is the only way that our program can continue to feed the 200-300 individuals who have come to depend on our Thursday distributions. We are working closely with our food bank partner, Episcopal Charities, local officials, motivated individuals and other churches in White Plains in helping to establish ourselves as a permanent pantry that has the capacity to feed those facing food insecurity for years to come. Father Adolfo and Father Chip share this vision with me. Please pray for us.
 
I will close by recognizing Jim Brown for regularly (every Monday and Wednesday since March) coming to the church to pick up the pledges and donations from the slot that we installed in the red front door of the church. I would share that the pledges/donations had been consistent through May, but have started to drop off. Last Wednesday - for the first time since March - Jim reported that the box was empty. I am hoping that this was an aberration, but will use this opportunity to remind all that we need everyone (who has the ability) to stay current with their pledges. The loans and grants that we recently received are only going to carry the church so far. The finance committee will be meeting later this week and a key focus of our discussion will be the drawdowns from our capital savings account. Hillary built in a schedule for how much we might expect to draw down in her budget for this year (much needs to be revised with the shutdown of the economy). The reality is not pretty. The cost of professionally cleaning the church (and sustaining this for as long as the diocese mandates) is likely to put a sizable dent in the Building and Grounds budget - and I was reminded last week that serious work needs to be done to our boiler before the winter. Adding extra Sunday services as we are given permission to collectively gather needs to be factored in. Other unforeseen expenses are likely to surface. Please do what you can. This is our church.
 
In hope and expectation.
 
Michael Heffner
Grace Episcopal Church/La Gracia
Senior Warden



How to Pledge to Grace/La Gracia 2020

The church will remain flexible in ways to receive your generosity during this difficult period. Blessings.

Option 1 : The standard way of staying current with your pledge still works. 
Feel free to put your pledge envelope in the mail (check only) and send it to the Grace Church office (to the attention of the Office Administrator). Bundling for a few weeks is fine.
Grace Episcopal Church/La Gracia
33 Church Street - 2nd Floor
White Plains, New York 
10601

Option 2 : Please note that we will be constructing a secure drop box on the red front door of the church. The box will be checked regularly for pledge envelopes (which will be recorded) and gifts of cash .

Option 3:  The electronic way to pledge or donate to the church is honestly not very complicated and completely secure. 
www.gracewhiteplains.org  is the link to the Grace/La Gracia website. You’ll see a tab across the top for pledging. Click to bring you to the Pledging/Giving page. The “donate” button will take you to the location for electronic giving. The church uses PayPal, the 2019 Fortune 500 payment company (#204 in last year’s survey). This service can be used for one time or scheduled payments. One is able to use credit cards or send funds from a PayPal account ( www.paypal.com  ). Michael Heffner is available to help explain or set up your account –  michaelheffner08@gmail.com . Please note that a fee is charged to the church for these transactions (which is why a check in the drop box or sent by mail is always preferred) .













DONATE LINK TO GRACE CHURCH
Click the line above to the donation page on the Grace La Gracia website. Please note that the donate button can be used for weekly pledging.
“SHOPPING SISTERS ”
In this very challenging times, we are asked to practice our faith by taking care of our brothers and sisters in Christ. To that end, Grace Church parishioners who are able as well as those in need, have the opportunity by helping those of us who are in need of assistance. For those of you who are willing and able to be a “Shopping Sister” please contact LINDA GALLO who will coordinate this joint effort. We will need volunteers who will shop for those who cannot. Please call her at: 914-582-2596 or email her at: ldg052@aol.com.

Need Groceries? Supplies? If you are in need of these, know you will have someone to help. A coordinated network will be set up as follows:
  • 1) Send Linda an email or phone her to let her know your needs. In turn, she will contact a volunteer to assist you who will then contact you (be sure to give Linda your contact information). The volunteer will then speak with you directly.
  • 2) The Shopping Sister will then shop your list and deliver to you to an agreed upon location (your home, apartment, etc.) and time.
  • 3) Upon completion of your shopping, the Shopping Sister will let you know the bill. You will then leave a check/cash for her in a mailbox or agreed upon location.
  • 4) Please note: Since the supply chain of goods has been less than normal, the Shopping Sister may not be able to get all items on your list.

We all need to be mindful that this is a challenging time for all. Since we will all be unable to be community in person, this provides the opportunity to continue putting our faith into action. For those of you able and willing to participate, please contact Linda with your email and/or phone information at your earliest convenience.
The Spring United Thank Offering (UTO) collection at the church was originally scheduled for Sunday, May 31. However, since we will not be able to convene at that date we ask that those who are able to contribute do so by check. You may count the coins in your box and write check for that amount. Please mail the check to the church, made out to Grace Church and be sure to put UTO in the memo section of your check. If you are unable to contribute now, or prefer to turn in your UTO box of coins, please make you contribution at the Fall UTO collection on November 1st. Please do not send UTO boxes of coins to the church.

Whether you give now or in the fall, please continue your ministry of daily thankfulness for Gods's blessings and continue to place coins your box. We still have so much to be thankful for every day, even in this challenging time. What better time than now to thank God for the blessing we receive everyday! Perhaps you were blessed with the ability to take a walk today, give thanks and put a coin in your box.
Consider listening to the webinar, The Theology of Gratitude : Human Expressions While Living in a Complex world. The live conference is April 24th, it is online and free. Sections of it will also be rebroadcast in case you miss it. Here is a link to information and registration for the conference. You have to register to get a login code for the conference.  View this email in your browser

The UTO is a ministry which promotes individual, daily recognition of our blessings from God - small and large. In recognition of these blessings, we put coins into our UTO boxes. These coins are then used to fund grants for projects that enrich the lives of people in the United States and abroad. Many of these people are our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, whose needs do not take a pause because of the Corona virus pandemic. In fact needs among this population will most certainly increase when this is over. Let us keep them in our prayers and do what we can. Thank you, Melanie Jackson
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La Bocca Ristorante 
8 Church Street
White Plains
914-948-3281
Grace/La Gracia Parishioners-Order a meal to enjoy at home!
Please give a thought to our local businesses. Tony Spiritoso has been an angel to Grace since he opened his restaurant in 1997. La Bocca is open for take-out. Enjoy a great meal at home. Thank you, Michael Heffner
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
Join a Committee or become Greeter or Office Voluntee r
Grace La Gracia is always looking for more volunteers to serve on our various committees. We rely on our parishioners to help keep our parish going. For more information or to join, contact the parish office or just stop by one of our meetings! 
If any of these roles interest you, please contact the parish office.
Acolytes

The Grace La Gracia Acolyte Ministry is always in search of new members to aid and assist the Clergy and Congregation in prayer, praise and worship. We welcome adults and youth aged 7 and up. Please contact Lauren Reid at Lrrmink@gmail.com if you would like to join this vital ministry.
Pastoral Care

We are inviting members who have a passion for serving others to join our Pastoral Care team. This ministry means so much to our members and it just might change your life. Please contact Sandy Gadsden at  sunaganatag@aol.com for more information.
Interested in volunteering with our Sunday School?
We have a vacant Assistant Teacher position in the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. If you are interested in committing a few Sundays a month to our youth, pray about it & feel free to talk to one of our Grades K-6 Sunday School volunteers (Linda Gallo, Michael Heffner, Cynthia S. Brown & Lyndsey Wall). Thank you.

Altar Flowers  Signup sheet is on the bulletin board near the library. Remember those you love by signing up for flowers to adore the altar. Contribution: $100.00

Lectors Are Needed
Volunteers are needed for all services including the Family service, every third Sunday of the month. If you are available for one or both of these services, please provide your contact information to Michael Heffner

Volunteer to be an Usher
Ushers are needed for all services. Please contact Andrea Spencer E: dreaspencer@aol.com if you would like to join.

Names on Prayer List
If you have a family member or loved one on our prayer list, please provide our office with emergency contact information.

Mother Teresa once said to “Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.”
 Any person or group of parishioners interested in underwriting a worship service at Grace Church, please contact Fr. Chip for more information.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic Downtown Music is canceling all concerts until September. While we believe the decision to cancel is the correct one to safeguard our community and everyone involved in the performance from any potential exposure, we understand that it is also disappointing. We thank all our supporters for their patience and understanding as we look forward to performing for you soon.
Please  click here to consult our website for future announcements and updates.
Presiding Bishop's Weekly Video
In order to access  Presiding Bishop Curry's latest thoughts, please click the link below:
E:Sortega@gracechurchwhiteplains.org T: 914 949 2874 x1