Sunday, February 7th, 2021 |
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In response to the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grace Church is open for limited in-person worship and visiting hours. Most events will remain virtual for the time being. |
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11 am Holy Eucharist
on
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba
Music:
The Adult Choir
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
THIS WEEK:
Outdoor
Children's Chapel
with Father Thomas!
You’ll find videos of past services and events on Vimeo and YouTube.
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Click on the image above to read about the 2021 Annual Campaign |
All parishioners and friends of Grace Church are asked to make a pledge to the Annual Campaign.
By making an annual pledge we not only support the work of the church, but we show our thanks to God for all the blessings of life.
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Please see below for weekday worship opportunities, both virtual, and in the church on open days!
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Dear Friends,
This coming Sunday is the day we will hold the Annual Meeting of Grace Church. It will be different this year due to the pandemic. After the 11 am service, instead of retiring to Tuttle Hall for lunch, we will remain in the church, occupying our socially distant pews for a meeting that will begin promptly at 12:30 pm, and run for approximately one hour. All pledging members are invited to participate, and you can do so by being here in person, or by watching the proceedings via the livestream. If you are participating remotely, we’ll have a Zoom room set up that will allow you to submit questions if the Spirit moves you to do so.
Among the important orders of business that we’ll cover is leadership transition: giving thanks for the ministries of the retiring vestry members, and welcoming the new class. Also, we’ll hear reports from various lay leaders who oversee key areas of our parish life, and at the close of the meeting I’ll speak on the state of the church. One thing the pandemic is not taking away from us is a relatively new tradition: the Souper Bowl of Caring. Most years our Annual Meeting falls on Super Bowl Sunday, and we use the confluence of days as a way to raise funds to combat hunger. We vote with our dollars for which team we’d like to see win later in the day – this year either the Buccaneers or the Chiefs. Last year we raised nearly $900, every penny of which put food on people’s plates. Let’s see if we can top it this year! And yes, you can “vote” remotely through the website as well as in person when we pass the plates.
Please see below for photos and bios of our terrific incoming vestry members, and all the relevant links. Note that the Annual Meeting livestream will be a separate event from the 11 am worship service.
Finally, allow me to recommend Zooming in for the Sunday Forum at 10 am. The Adult Education Committee is planning to lead a discussion on a timely topic – the ethical issues that are arising from the distribution of Covid-19 vaccinations. The news is filled with reports of inequities in the system and people jumping ahead in line. It seems to me that some stern words of Jesus about being first and last might apply. Tune in to learn more and join the conversation.
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9:45 am Children's Chapel
(over Zoom)
Join Mother Julia and Father Thomas from 9:45-10:10 am to say hello, read the story of the day from our Spark Children's Bible, talk about it, and then say our prayers together.
Meeting ID: 618 396 533
Password: praisegod
One tap mobile
+19294362866, 618396533# US (New York)
NOTE TO PARENTS:
This week during the 11 am service, we will hold an outdoor Children's Chapel with masks and social distancing. Details below.
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10:00 am Sunday Forum
Ethical Issues and the COVID-19 Vaccine
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Join the Adult Education Committee for a discussion about the ethical issues that are arising from the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Who should be first and last? For Zoom access, please see this link.
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11:00 am Holy Eucharist
The Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany
CHURCH IS OPEN
for in-person worship!
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
Music:
The Adult Choir, The Choir of Men and Boys, The Girl's Choir; Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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Service will continue to be video streamed every week. Access via any of our live channels. If you experience buffering, you can simply switch to another channel.
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The Annual Parish Meeting |
will be held today in the church, immediately following the 11:00 am service. Members of the parish may participate in-person or watch the proceedings via the livestream. We will hear reports by the Nominating Committee, the Treasurer, the Head of Grace Church School, the Senior Warden, and the Rector |
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Annual Parish Meeting Zoom Room |
Are you interested in participating in the annual meeting, but can’t attend in person? Join the Rev. Thomas Szczerba in a Zoom room where he will field questions that have the potential to be answered during the meeting. For Zoom access, email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba.
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The Souper Bowl of Caring |
is a national youth-led effort to use the energy of the Super Bowl for a higher good: collecting dollars and food for the needy in our local communities. All are invited to play in this year’s game! Just bring some cash (or check) to the annual parish meeting and drop a few bills in the soup pot that corresponds to your Super Bowl pick: Chiefs or Buccaneers. |
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Or, if you are participating in the annual meeting through the livestream you can play the game by going to the giving portal of the website. We’ll have fun seeing which team raises more funds and also see if together we can beat last year’s generous total collection of $885 – all of which goes directly to local food ministries!
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The Vestry is pleased to present the following slate of persons to be voted on at our Annual Meeting. Many thanks to those who have agreed to stand for election.
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For a second two-year term as Churchwarden: Owen Boger
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Mr. Owen Boger has been a member of Grace Church since 2011 and attends the 9 am service. He serves as a member of an altar team and is a newcomer ambassador. On the diocesan level, he has been active in supporting Episcopal Charities. He is a lifelong Episcopalian, married to Meg, and father of three young children: James, Burke, and Harriet. Professionally, he works for a growth equity firm based in New York and, prior to this, he held positions at Park Hill Group, Lazard and Lehman Brothers. Mr. Boger received a B.A. from Williams College.
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For first three-year term as a Vestry Member: Ginger Blake
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Ginger came to Grace in 1987 and was baptized here in 1988. Since that time she has been a devoted member of the Altar Guild and the Women's Bible study. She also currently serves on the steering committee of the GCW, is active in Grace Cares and is a team member for the 9 am service. A graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of North Carolina School for the Arts, she holds a BA in English and a BFA in Costume Design and Production. She has worked in many capacities in theatrical wardrobe in the city over the last 35 years, on Broadway, with the Metropolitan Opera, NYC Opera, and Paul Taylor Dance. Currently she is the House Wardrobe Supervisor at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Ginger is married to Dennis Paoli; they were married at Grace Church in 2010. |
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For first three-year term as a Vestry Member: Peter Gilman
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Peter Gilman and his family are regulars at the 11am service at Grace Church. His son, Wyatt Lockwood, was baptized at Grace Church, and he recently welcomed a daughter, Fiona Margaret, into the family. Along with his family, participation in parish life at Grace Church is one of Peter’s most profound blessings, and Peter is delighted to give back and be of service to the Church. Peter is a partner at a large New York law firm where he focuses on private investing in alternative asset classes. Peter is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, and the University of Pennsylvania where he received his B.A. in Economics and his M.G.A. Peter is an active participant in the GO Project and other matters of importance to the Church community. |
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For first three-year term as a Vestry Member: Jesse Lawrence
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Jesse has been a member of the Grace Church community for over a decade, along with his wife Mary Elizabeth and daughters, Carolina and Elizabeth. When not attending services, he runs FanIQ, a marketing services platform for sports teams, event venues and festivals. He's looking forward to using his experience in digital marketing to drive more visibility for Grace's in-person and virtual events. Jesse is an avid concert, Broadway and sports fan. While his baseball rooting interests are for the Yankees, he is happy to have attended the Mets one World Series win since 1986, with Don. |
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For first three-year term as a Vestry Member: Sara Queen
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Ms. Sara B. Queen and her husband, Jason Slibeck, began attending Grace in 2009. They are regular attendees at the 11am service, the result of many years as Choir Parents to Bennett and Emma. The entire family has been active at Grace, from the Pageant to Habitat Build days to being readers. Sara chairs the Fabric and Grounds committee and was formerly a co-chair of the Episcopal Church Women (now Grace Church Women). She has participated in GO Project service days, as well as being active in Newcomer outreach. Previously, she served as a Grace Church School Trustee. Sara graduated from Wellesley College and Harvard Business School. Professionally, Sara runs the U.S. business for Mapletree, a Singaporean institutional investor focused on commercial real estate. Prior to Mapletree, Sara worked at Brookfield, Clarion Partners, and MetLife. |
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45 minutes of your favorite hymns, solos, anthems and voluntaries played on the Bicentennial Organ. Requests taken!
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Baptism, Confirmation, and Reception |
Are you interested in learning more about membership in the church through baptism (available to anyone of any age), confirmation (a mature affirmation of one’s baptism for anyone in 7th grade or older), or reception (formally becoming Episcopalian from another Christian tradition)? Email the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger by Wednesday, February 10 to learn more about preparation this Spring.
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Church is Open
Four Days per Week
Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 3 pm
with Noonday Prayer at 12:05 pm
Wednesday, 5:30 to 6:30 pm
with Evening Prayer at 6 pm
Sunday, 11 am to 12:30 pm
with Worship Service at 11 am
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Grace Parish Showcase Sponsored by the Grace Church Women - Online Now! |
We have had a great response to this project, which attempts to display how the creative spirit of our people was at work during the lockdown. Many have submitted, photography, videos, art, stories, and photos of themselves and their families and more!
The show is live! Find it here. Don't miss it! |
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The Weekly Pledge Envelopes have arrived for our Pledging households. If you would like to have your box of Pledge Envelopes set out in the Nave on Sunday, please email Matthew Kopp
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Lenten Calendars Available |
For the suggested minimum donation of $7.00, join the journey through Lent 2021 with GCW! The poster invites spiritual reflection, is a wonderful companion for the Lenten season, and is great for children to color. Share these with fellow parishioners, friends and family!
Only 20 Calendars available! SIZE: 17" X 22" Folded: 8.5" X 11" Available February 8th.
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Monday - Centering Prayer (over Zoom)
12:15-12:45 pm Christian silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of God’s presence. Led by Currie Estreich, MA, Spiritual Direction, the General Theological Seminary.
Meeting ID: 337 800 858
Password: 058288
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,337800858# US (New York)
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN)
Tuesday, noon–3 pm, Wednesday, 5:30-6:30 pm, and Thursday, noon–3 pm. Tuesday and Thursday Noonday Prayer at 12:05 pm. Wednesday Evening Prayer at 6 pm. All are required to wear a covering over their nose and mouth, and to observe posted safety guidelines.
Tuesday, Thursday – Bach at Noon
12:20 pm - 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ.
Wednesday 6 pm Evening Prayer In-Person or on Zoom – Evening Prayer will no longer be livestreamed on YouTube, Facebook, and our website. Join us on Zoom or in person. For Zoom access, please see this link.
Wednesday - Women’s Bible Study (over Zoom) – 10:30 am-noon – Long-running program of guided Bible study and discussion for women. For Zoom access info, please see the link below or email the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger well before the event.
Meeting ID: 896 065 849
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,896065849# US (New York)
12:20 pm - 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ.
Thursday- 20s & 30s Pub Theology – February 11th from 6:30pm-7:30pm (over Zoom)
If you are in your 20s or 30s and interested in having a discussion on theology, please email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba and he will give you the Zoom information.
4 pm - 45 minutes of diverse music played on the Bicentennial Organ.
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The Sunday Forum – February 14th: Coffee Hour |
Login to Zoom, grab a cup of coffee and join the clergy of Grace Church for a virtual coffee hour. If you are interested in participating please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email or see The Weekly Epistle.
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Men’s Bible Study – February 17th from 6:30pm-7:15pm (over Zoom) - The men of Grace Church are invited to join us via Zoom for a bible study on the lectionary for the coming Sunday. This bible study will take place on the first and third Wednesday of the month and will run until June. If you are interested in participating please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email.
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Our food ministry partner, now called The Red Door Place at The Church of the Village, is one of the few pantry/soup kitchens remaining open to serve those in need during the Covid-19 crisis. Donations are desperately needed. Non-perishable food item(s) may be dropped off in the collection baskets in the narthex when you visit Grace Church during open hours.
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We pray for those who suffer
Luis
Kathleen Curry
Cathy Minuse
Jordan Cave
The Correll Family
Susan McLean
Frances Givhan
Lois Queen
Linda and Tom Hall
John Berringer
Claudia Paoloni
Josephine
all those who suffer due to the coronavirus
and for those who have died
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Send your photos of milestone events for possible publication in the Weekly Epistle to Matthew Kopp, Membership and Development Manager.
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Please Subscribe, Follow, Like and Share
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GRACE CHURCH IN NEW YORK
212-254-2000
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