Epistle for August 2022

August 2022

Summer Sundays

9 am Holy Eucharist

in-person worship

11 am Morning Prayer

Holy Eucharist is celebrated on the

1st and 5th Sundays of the month

in-person worship

and live-stream

Grace Church website

YouTubeLive

Vimeo

FacebookLive

Clergy:

The Rev. J. Donald Waring

The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger

The Rev. James Morton

You’ll find videos of past services and events on Vimeo and YouTube.

Catch up on audio podcasts of past sermons on our Soundcloud Channel.

Please see below for weekday worship opportunities, both in-person and virtual.

Dear Friends,

Here we are towards the end of July already, and as always the summer seems to be going by more quickly than I wish it would.

As I type these words it is Thursday the 28^th. Last evening we enjoyed the second of our summer cookouts on the lawn of Huntington Close. It was a terrific turnout (80 RSVPs!) and I thoroughly enjoyed grilling the burgers and hot dogs and catching up with folks – some of whom are still easing back to in-person events after the pandemic. Thanks to all who came and all who helped, especially the GCW for scooping out many bowls of ice cream. I still haven’t decided which is the more decadent treat: the ice cream or the kettle-cooked potato chips? I suppose more taste-testing will be necessary to settle the question at our third and final summer cookout on August 31.

In the above paragraph I am aware that my use of the phrase, “after the pandemic” is not entirely accurate. As we’ve heard many times, most of us our done with the pandemic, but the pandemic is not done with us. At Grace Church we are no longer checking vax cards at the door and we are mask-optional. Nevertheless, as the latest variant makes its way through the population, please err on the side of caution in crowded indoor spaces, and keep your vaccination status current. Earlier today I went in for my second booster. It took all of five minutes to register online, five minutes to walk to the drug store, and after a five minute wait I was done. What a small price to pay if it spares me a week of quarantine this fall. The vaccines are a blessing – a true gift from God through the medical community.

For the past many years I have used the month of August for vacation time, and that’s the plan again after services this Sunday, July 31^st. On our travels I look forward to worshipping God as a civilian in churches wherever we find ourselves, and I’ll do my best to soak it in and not critique the liturgy. Julia will be here to steer the ship, and she will be welcoming and helping to orient our new Assistant Rector, the Rev. James Morton, whose first day in the office will be Monday, August 1^st. James will be jumping into the deep end of the pool. He will be preaching at both morning services on August 14 and 28, while Julia will be in the pulpit August 7 and 21. You can read more about James in the July Epistle, or on the church website, here.

In the midst of our deeply troubled world I give thanks to God for you, the people of Grace Church. I am convinced that God has a high calling for us in our corner of society. I look forward to the busy fall ahead, but in the meantime let’s all enjoy the last month of summer.

See you in September,

The Rev. J Donald Waring

Rector

Announcements

August 31 – The third and final of our summer cookouts will take place on Wednesday, August 31, 6 pm on the lawn of Huntington Close. Come celebrate the summer and connect with fellow parishioners over hot dogs, hamburgers, desserts, and beverages.

Refreshments and Fellowship follow both the 9 and 11 am services in Tuttle Hall and the lovely outdoor courtyard called Seymour Close. Join us for coffee or something cool to drink, as well as homemade goodies compliments of the Guild of Bakers.

Wear your name tags! As we are making our way out of the pandemic, we are seeing a lot of new faces at our gatherings. It is becoming important that we bring back the practice of wearing our name tags so we know how to address each other. Name tags can be found on the boards in Tuttle Hall. Newcomers are encouraged to visit our new welcome table during coffee hour to create their own name tags. If you are a pledging member and do not see your name tag on the boards in Tuttle Hall, please contact Travis B. Kennedy so he can make you one.

Summer Sundays

9am Worship Service - The Church is open for in-person worship.

11am Worship Service - The Church is open for in-person worship. Holy Eucharist is celebrated on the 1st and 5th Sundays of the month. Service continues to be video-streamed every week.

August Organist – We will have Dr. Catherine Rodland on the organ bench. Cathy is Artist in Residence at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. She will be our guest organist August 7 through September 4 while Dr. Allen is away.

Welcome Dr. Rodland!

Nursery Care – The nursery is open from 9 am – 12pm in the room next to the Sunday School classroom, across Tuttle Hall. Adult supervision is required.

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, and help us keep the area clean for future families.

Summer Weeks

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.

Zoom Centering Prayer

Meeting ID: 337 800 858

Password: 058288

One tap mobile

+16465588656,,337800858# US (New York)

For questions about Zoom access, email the Rev. Julia Offinger

Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN) Monday - Saturday from noon – 5 pm.

Parish Life

Help Ukrainian Families As this crisis continues to evolve, Episcopal Relief & Development is working to provide humanitarian assistance to the more than 2 million people who have had to leave Ukraine. Specifically, their partner ACT Alliance is helping families on the Hungarian border, and their Anglican partners are mobilizing both an immediate and long-term response in Poland, Romania and Hungary. Your emergency gift will provide cash, blankets, hygiene supplies and other needs as this crisis unfolds. Visit this link to make a donation today.

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.

The Guild of Bakers – If you enjoy baking (or buying) cookies, brownies, muffins, or other freezable bite-sized treats, please consider joining a revitalized ministry called the Guild of Bakers. You can participate on your own timetable, whenever the Spirit moves you. The next time you are baking (or buying) goodies that would be popular at coffee hour, all you have to do is make an extra batch. Just wrap it well and drop it off at the parish office any time during business hours, or on Sundays after church. We have plenty of freezer space to store your culinary creations for a future coffee hour. Please sign up for the “Guild of Bakers” by sending an email to Mickey Hawley, Parish Office Coordinator

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.

Bach at Noon and the Weekend Organ Meditations are now on recess for the summer. Thank you for your support throughout the year. Some 300 programs of the great repertoire of the pipe organ were offered between Labor Day and Memorial Day Weekends! Over the summer please enjoy archived programs on the new YouTube Channel . Organ meditations will resume in September.

Safe Church – Grace Church is committed to providing its members, staff, and visitors a place that is free of abuse and harassment. If you have observed, or personally experienced sexual, or other forms of harassment while attending activities, classes, or events held at Grace Church, or on our shared campus with Grace Church School, we encourage you to notify us. Please visit this page where you will find a direct means of providing feedback.

COVID Safe

Return of Communion Wine – Bishop Dietsche has approved the administration of sacramental wine at Holy Eucharist. Thus, the chalice will be available for all baptized Christians who desire to receive “in both kinds.” Studies have shown, and two-thousand years of practice has demonstrated that sipping from a common cup that is purified between each recipient is safe. Intincting, or dipping the wafer is less so, and will not be allowed for now. Note also that receiving the bread only is sufficient for full Communion. You need not return to the common cup until you are personally ready.

Mask Optional – Everyone inside the building must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, so please have your card or pass handy at the door. Once inside we are mask optional. For those who are unvaccinated or feeling unwell, please join us via the livestream.

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.

The Church is Open All Summer

Every day, noon to 5 pm

Vaccinations are required to enter Grace Church. If you are vaccinated, masks are optional. All visitors are required to observe posted guidelines during in-person worship and events, and to adhere to CDC Covid-19 safety protocols.