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9 am Holy Eucharist
in-person worship
11 am Holy Eucharist in-person worship
and live-stream
on
6 pm Holy Eucharist
in person worship
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Very Rev. Harry E. Krauss
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
You’ll find videos of past services and events on Vimeo and YouTube.
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Please see below for weekday worship opportunities, both in-person and virtual. |
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Dear Friends,
It is Friday morning as I write this, and the view outside my office window looks like a winter wonderland. The tree branches in the rectory yard hold a delicate balance of snow and the ground is a blanket of white. I know it won’t last long but it’s fun for just a moment to pause and enjoy nature’s handiwork. Perhaps the snow can provide a brief reprieve from all the glum news in the headlines.
Sadly, the top story is still how the pandemic has us in its grip. The Omicron variant spreads rapidly and is even able to cause mild breakthrough cases in those who have been vaccinated. Schools are going remote, businesses are delaying the return to offices, and the restaurant industry is staggering. Some churches are reducing their in-person worship services or even returning to livestream and Zoom until Omicron passes. It is immensely frustrating to be taking two steps back for every step forward.
Here at Grace Church I’ve received a number of inquiries about our plans. The short answer is we are remaining open for our full schedule of worship services. Especially as Christmas approached the trend seemed to be toward closing off pews or even closing altogether. Nevertheless, we forged ahead and remained open for all four Christmas services, knowing that everyone in the building would be vaccinated and masked. The pageant was truly wonderful, the flower arrangements spectacular, and the music soared on Christmas Eve and Day. People self-selected according to their own comfort level. The congregations were about a third to half the size of what they normally are at Christmas, and many participated through the livestream. The loose plate offering that goes to the Vestry Fund for Outreach was good. Thank you to all who contributed to and participated in a memorable, meaningful Christmas.
The world and the church are in transition. In truth, the pandemic has only accelerated changes that already were afoot in “the before times.” At the Sunday Forum this week Harry Krauss and I will lead a presentation about how the changing world is affecting theological education. Specifically, what is happening at the seminaries of the Episcopal Church that have formed generations of clergy so shepherd our souls? The Sunday Forum meets at 10 am and for the time being will remain in its hybrid form: on Zoom and in-person in the reception room. See below for details, and a photo of my 1989 graduating class from General Seminary. It should be easy to find me since I haven’t changed a bit ☺
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. If you are coming in person, have your vaccine card ready and spread out in the pews. Grace Church is a big space with room for all.
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Vaccines to be Required – Vaccines against Covid-19 are free and available to anyone 5 years of age and older who wants to be inoculated. Receiving the vaccine protects not only you, but those you love and everyone around you, especially the children among us who are not yet eligible. Beginning next Sunday, September 12, we ask of our adult worshippers that only those who have been fully vaccinated attend in-person services. Please have your vaccine card or Excelsior Pass handy. If you haven’t been vaccinated, speak with your doctor or go to the NYC Vaccine Finder to make an appointment.
Masks On – Unfortunately we are back to a place in the pandemic where masks are strongly recommended for large, indoor gatherings. Please wear your mask beginning today. Until further notice, masks will be required for everyone in attendance, regardless of vaccination status. The mask must cover your nose and mouth at all times. Masks are available for those who don’t bring their own. If you need a mask, please see an usher.
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9:00 am Holy Eucharist, Sermon, and Hymns
Church is open
for in-person worship!
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Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
The Very Rev. Harry E. Krauss
Music:
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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10:00 am The Sunday Forum - Who Will Shepherd Our Souls? |
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Theological education that has been the bedrock of clergy formation is undergoing rapid changes. These changes mirror those in society to some extent, but also point to deeper trends within the church. Not so long ago the Episcopal Church had eleven seminaries spread throughout the country. Today that number is smaller, and those that remain are striving to adapt and adopt new models to train the shepherds of our souls. The Rector and the Rev. Harry Krauss will lead a discussion about what is happening in Episcopal seminaries of late. Join us at 10 in the Reception Room or on Zoom. |
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11:00 am Morning Prayer and Sermon
Church is open
for in-person worship!
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
The Very Rev. Harry E. Krauss
Music:
The Adult 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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6:00 pm Holy Eucharist
In the Chantry
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Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Megan E. Sanders
Music:
Hymns with Instrumentalists
Followed by Canterbury Downtown dinner and fellowship. All college students welcome!
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Coffee Hour: Coffee and fellowship will be available today in Tuttle Hall following the 9 am service and the 11 am service.
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Nursery Care - For children ages 1-4 is available from 9 am – 12 pm in the NEW Nursery next to the Sunday School classroom, across Tuttle Hall. Follow the signs! Parents are required to stay with their children for the duration of their time in the nursery. Babysitters will no longer be present.
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Activity Corner for Children In the north aisle of the church you will find coloring supplies, and books for children to use during the service. Please return all materials before you leave. We want to keep the area clean for all future families.
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2022 Annual Campaign:
Let the Doors be Open! – On October 24th, we launched the 2022 Annual Pledge Campaign at all three services. All parishioners and friends of Grace Church are asked to support the work of Grace Church by making an annual pledge, or promise of financial support for God’s work in the coming year. Some will turn in the pledge cards we’ve received by mail or find in the pews. Others will begin a time of prayerful reflection to consider what God is calling them to do.
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Remember, the annual campaign not only supports the church, but gives thanks to God for all the blessings of life. To make your pledge, please fill out the pledge envelope, place it in the offering plate today, or return it to the parish office as soon as you can. You may also make your pledge online. (You have all of 2022 to make your payments!) Questions about pledging? Contact Matthew Kopp at mkopp@gracechurchnyc.org or 212-254-2005.
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Vestry Nominations – Normally, every year on the Second Sunday of Advent we put out the call for Vestry Nominations, building towards the Annual Meeting of the Parish on the first Sunday in February. The Vestry consists of 12 elected lay leaders (plus two Wardens) who serve three-year terms with the possibility of being nominated for a second term. This year all four members in their third year of service (Douglas Armer, Mary Cannon, Shingmin Lai, and Cathy Minuse) are eligible to serve a second term, and they have agreed to do so. Thus, the work of the Nominating Committee was brief. With no Vestry vacancies to fill we do not need to call for names this year.
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Please Get Fully Vaccinated |
Vaccines against Covid-19 are now available for anyone 12 years of age and older who wants to be inoculated. Receiving the vaccine protects not only you, but those you love and everyone around you. It is the best way to help speed along the reopening of society. Please speak with your doctor or go to the NYC Vaccine Finder to make an appointment.
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The Church is Open
Everyday, noon to 5 pm
with Worship Service at 9 am, 11 am, and 6 pm on Sundays
as well as 6 pm on Wednesdays
All are required to observe posted guidelines during in-person worship and events to adhere to CDC Covid-19 safety protocols. We ask visitors to wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart, and sanitize your hands when inside Grace Church.
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Wednesday Evening Eucharist & Bible Study at 6 pm in the Chantry we have restarted our Wednesday evening service in the chantry. After the service, (approximately 6:45 pm) all are invited to the reception room for a lectionary-based bible study that will conclude at 7:30 pm. If you are interested in helping with the service, please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email.
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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)
Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN)
Grace Church is open to the public daily from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM. All are required to wear a covering over their nose and mouth, and to observe posted safety guidelines.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday – Bach at Noon (Held in the church during open hours and on Facebook Live) 12:20 pm - 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ.
Wednesday - Women’s Bible Study (over Zoom) – 10:30 am-noon – Long-running program of guided Bible study and discussion for women resumes on Wednesday, September 15th. For Zoom access info, please see the link below or email the Rev. Megan Sanders well before the event.
Meeting ID: 839 2240 7333
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,83922407333# US (New York)
Wednesday Evening Eucharist at 6 pm in the Chantry.
Saturday – Weekend Organ Meditation (on Facebook Live) 4pm - 45-minutes of diverse music played on the Bicentennial Organ
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Sunday Forum on January 16th - Martin Luther King’s 1952 Notecards on the Old Testament: At the age of twenty-three, the young Martin Luther King write down on notecards six observations about the Old Testament books of Amos, Jeremiah, and the Psalms. These notes show King’s awareness of modern theology, his sense of the Bible as a critique of social injustice, and his sense of how the Old Testament can matter in a Christian context. Join Grace parishioner and NYU professor Dr. Nicholas Birns to explore this fascinating part of Dr. King’s historic achievement. 10 am in the Reception Room or on Zoom.
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Feb 6 – The Annual Parish Meeting will be held in the church on Sunday, Feb 6, immediately following the 11 am service. Reports will be given by the Nominating Committee, the Treasurer, the Head of Grace Church School, the Senior Warden, and the Rector.
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20s and 30s at Grace Church – We have a very active group of parishioners in their twenties and thirties here at Grace Church who meet twice a month for programs such as Pub Theology and Christ in Pop Culture. If you are interested in participating, please email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba and he will add you to our mailing list.
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Advent Collections – Thanks To All Who Gave
“Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.’” (Deuteronomy 15:11.)
Our community at Grace Church has contributed 184 hats, gloves, and scarves, 291 undergarments and socks, and 982 toiletries, to help provide basic comfort to some of our neediest neighbors in New York City. With special thanks to the Stevenson-Minuse family and Jason Slibeck for coordinating, sorting, counting and delivering the donations to our recipient organizations.
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February is Soup Month! - The Grace Food Drive invites everyone to contribute a can (or cans) of soup - a very important staple item for the Hope for our Neighbors in Need food ministry which receives our donations. Let’s see how many cans we can collect this month! Collection baskets are near the doors of the main church and the Chantry.
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Grace Cares - Would you like a visit at home or at the hospital? Do you need assistance in getting to church or an appointment? Are you struggling and in need of a friendly phone call? Would you like the Sunday lessons read to you or the service bulletin brought to you? Would you like to receive communion in your home? Grace has a pastoral care team that provides these services and more. Contact The Rev. J. Donald Waring.
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Food Donations for The Red Door Place 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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In our immediate prayers:
The Rev. Robert Wright
Therese Snyder
Kimberly Snyder
Kaylee
Dilys Smith
Brenden Stewart
Claudia Paoloni
Ronnye Brickous
In our Continuing Prayers:
Mary Ann Owens
William Dobi
Tom Hall
Josephine Ferraiuolo
Adelaide
The Rt. Rev. Andrew St. John
For those who have died:
Arthur Pearce
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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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