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This Sunday
9 am Holy Eucharist
in-person worship
11 am Morning Prayer
in-person worship
and live-stream
6 pm Holy Eucharist
in-person worship
(in the Chantry)
on
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. James H.B. Morton III
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
You’ll find videos of past organ meditations on 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 no secret that the streets of New York City are rougher than they were before the pandemic. Of particular concern are the random, violent assaults that seem to come from nowhere. Yesterday a beloved EMS lieutenant stepped out for lunch in Astoria, Queens, when a mentally ill man stabbed her to death. Alison Russo was a 61-year old grandmother who had served with the FDNY for twenty-four years. Earlier this week I read a news report of a chaotic, unprovoked subway attack. A fellow passenger tried to intervene, only to suffer severe wounds himself. What can any of us do when we witness these increasingly frequent crimes in broad daylight? To put the question in the jargon of the church: What is the Christian calling?
Likewise on the international stage the world has been watching Vladimir Putin’s criminal war against Ukraine unfold in broad daylight. Having already unleashed death and destruction on a scale that Europe hasn’t seen since World War Two, Putin’s latest ploy has been to conduct rigged referendums in occupied regions of Ukraine, essentially asking captive citizens if they would prefer to be Russian or Russian. Now displaying the results he wants Putin plans to annex these territories and defend them with whatever means Russia has at its disposal, including tactical nuclear weapons. What can be done to stop such horrific, blatantly evil crimes? What is the Christian calling?
One of the resources we have for dealing with all of life’s challenges is prayer. Calling upon God is something Jesus encouraged us to do at all times and in all circumstances. I don’t think he meant for prayer to be a substitute for action, especially defending oneself in the midst of an attack. Rather, we can think of prayer as a persistent attempt to align our wills with God’s will. Thus the challenge to pray even for our enemies. Also, every Sunday since February we have been praying for justice, peace, and freedom in this and every place, especially in Ukraine and all the troubled regions of the world. This petition is not meant to “check” the international prayer box off our list, but rather collect the earnest prayers all of us have been offering to God throughout the week.
What are the appropriate areas for prayer? Is it acceptable to pray that you find lost keys or a parking place near your apartment? What about praying for God to bless your favorite team with a victory? Last July the author Anne Lamott wrote an engaging piece in The New York Times entitled, “I Don’t Want to See a Football Coach Praying on the Field.” You can read the article by clicking here. Lamott raises many interesting points about prayer, and we will be discussing them at the Sunday Forum this week, 10 am in the reception room. Join us for coffee, breakfast treats, and lively conversation.
See you in church,
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9:00 am Holy Eucharist
Church is open
for in-person worship!
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Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. James H.B. Morton III
Music:
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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11:00 am Holy Eucharist
Church is open
for in-person worship!
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. James H.B. Morton III
Music:
The Choir of Men and Boys
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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Service is video-streamed every week. Access via any of our live channels.
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6:00 pm Holy Eucharist
In the Chantry
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Clergy:
The Rev. James H.B. Morton III
The Rev. Megan E. Sanders, preaching
Music:
Hymns with Instrumentalists
vice Bulletin
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The Sunday Forum at 10 am – Anne Lamott on Prayer - Back in July the novelist Anne Lamott wrote a provocative op-ed entitled, “I Don’t Want to See a High School Football Coach Praying on the 50-yard Line.” It’s an interesting piece that raises many questions about prayer. Today in the Reception Room the Grace Church clergy will reflect on the article and let it lead us into a larger discussion about communing with God. You can read the article by clicking here.
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Refreshments and Fellowship – After 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.
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Wear your nametags! Nametags 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 nametags. If you are a pledging member and do not see your nametag on the boards in Tuttle Hall, please send Travis Kennedy an email so, he can make you one.
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Sunday 6 pm Eucharist – The weekly 6 pm Sunday Eucharist in the Chantry has returned. Join us for hymns with instrumentalists and sermon. An important component of the Sunday 6 pm service is Canterbury Downtown – the college fellowship that meets for dinner and discussion after the service. All college students welcome.
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The Guild of Bakers – The summer has depleted our stockpile of coffee hour goodies! 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.
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Restrooms are available on the 1st floor of the parish house, through the north aisle door near the baptismal font.
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Oct 4 – St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals – If a beloved member of your family has fur, four legs, or even feathers, bring your pet to the Broadway sidewalk in front of Grace Church on Tuesday, October 4, from 2:30 – 4 pm for a blessing. All pets must be leashed or in carriers.
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Oct 9 – The Sunday Forum will be on recess for the holiday weekend.
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Oct 16 – Rejoice in the Lamb by Benjamin Britten will be offered as part of Choral Evensong by The Choir of Men and Boys with the Adult Choir on Sunday Oct 16 at 4 pm in the Church. This beloved annual offering returns this season after the interruptions of the COVID lockdowns
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Oct 16 & 23 – The Sunday Forum – Meet the Candidates for Bishop of New York – Last November the Rt. Rev. Andrew Dietsche, Bishop of New York announced his plans to retire. Since then a search committee has been at work to nominate a slate of candidates who will stand for election at the Cathedral on Saturday, December 3. How will the electing convention work? Who are the candidates and what gifts and abilities would they bring to the ministry of bishop? Join us for two Sunday Forum sessions on the upcoming election, 10 am in the Reception Room.
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Oct 22 – Volunteer Day at The Red Door Place – Help us prepare a meal for our neighbors at The Red Door Place at The Church of the Village, our food ministry partner. Email The Rev. James Morton if you plan on attending.
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Oct 30 – The Sunday Forum – The Episcopal Church and Abortion – With the Supreme Court’s recent overturning of Roe v. Wade the topic of abortion has been much in the news. What has the Episcopal Church said officially about abortion and the many issues surrounding it? The Rev. Julia Offinger will review the relevant resolutions from General Conventions, and lead us in theological reflection. 10 am in the Reception Room.
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Nov 6 – Fauré’s Requiem will be offered by the Adult Choir as part of Choral Evensong on Sunday Nov 6 at 4 pm in the Church.
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9 am Worship Service – The Church is open for in-person worship.
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The Sunday Forum – Our weekly discussion forum for adults that examines theological, political, and social topics of Christian concern meets most Sundays in the Reception Room from 10:00-10:45 am.
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11 am Worship Service - The Church is open for in-person worship. Services continue to be video-streamed every week.
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Children’s Chapel - During the 11 am service. Children ages 4-12 are invited to start church with their parents in the pews and then join Father James or Mother Julia in the chantry for a time of learning and prayer.
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Nursery Care – The nursery is open from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm in the room next to the Sunday School classroom, across Tuttle Hall. Adult supervision is required.
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Coffee Hour - Coffee and fellowship will be available today in Tuttle Hall following the 9am service. Join us for a festive fellowship hour in Huntington Close (weather permitting) after the 11 am service.
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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, and help us keep the area clean for future families.
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6 pm Worship Service and Holy Eucharist in the Chantry |
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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. For Zoom access, please see The Weekly Epistle or email The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger.
Meeting ID: 337 800 858
Password: 058288
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,337800858# US (New York)
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Wednesday – Women’s Bible Study – 10:30 am on Zoom with The Rev. Julia Offinger. Contact Julia for Zoom instructions.
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Wednesday – 6 pm Holy Eucharist in the Chantry |
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Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN) Monday - Saturday from noon – 5 pm.
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October is Tuna Month! – Canned tuna is a staple that food pantries always need. Help us make a special push to ensure The Red Door Place is well stocked this October. More information about this ministry can be found below.
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Food Donations for The Red Door Place – Our food ministry partner, The Red Door Place at The Church of the Village, is a vital pantry/soup kitchen serving those in need supporting the social safety net in our neighborhood. 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. We also have two volunteer days at The Red Door Place planned for this fall on Oct 22 and Nov 19. Email The Rev. James Morton if you plan on attending.
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Fresh Direct (or Other Reusable Bags) Needed – The Red Door Place is also seeking donations of Fresh Direct or other reusable bags to support its ministries. If you’d like to donate bags, you can place these in the collection baskets in the narthex with the food items.
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Help Ukrainian Families – 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. To make your donation today, click here.
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Baptism at Grace Church – There sacrament of baptism takes place during a weekly, public worship service about once a month. If you are interested in baptism for yourself or a child, please first be in touch with The Rev. Julia Offinger to discuss next steps. Attendance at one class prior to your chosen baptism date is required. Upcoming classes: Sunday, October 16 at 4 pm; Friday, November 4 at 5 pm; Saturday, December 10 at 11:00 am. Upcoming baptism dates: Sunday, October 23 at 9:00 am; Sunday, November 6 at 11:00 am, Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 11:00 am.
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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. Julia Offinger.
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Safe Church – Grace Church is committed to providing its members, staff, and visitors with 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.
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Mask and Vaccine Optional – In order to bring Grace Church more in line with comparable NYC establishments, vaccines, though still strongly encouraged, are no longer required for you to be in the building. Likewise, masks are optional. For those feeling unwell, please join us via the livestream.
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The Church is Open
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.
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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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In Our Immediate Prayers:
Josephine Ferraiuolo
Geoff Hawley
Suella Slibeck
Susie Zeiger
Gardner Rankin
Karen Scramlin
Tommye Saunooke
John Berringer
In Our Continuing Prayers:
Catherine Gooding
Ronnye Brickous
Claudia Paoloni
William Dobi
Tom Hall
For Those Who Have Died:
Joey Weber
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Send your photos of milestone events for possible publication in the Weekly Epistle to Travis B. Kennedy, Membership and Development Manager.
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GRACE CHURCH IN NEW YORK
212-254-2000
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