Dear Friends,

It is Thursday morning, December 23^rd, as I write this. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve! In heart and mind we go to Bethlehem and imagine what the first Christmas might have been like. The Gospel of Luke implies that it was a chaotic scene. A Roman census requiring people to register in their birth cities had uprooted people from their homes and set them scrambling for a place to stay. The lines were long, the tempers were short, and the Roman soldiers tasked with maintaining order were on edge. Mary and Joseph famously found “no room for them in the inn.” So they settled down for the night amongst the animals in a stable, and it was there that Mary “brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.”

Obviously we live in different times, but if you walk around the city, the mood seems similar. The occupying power is no foreign oppressor, but Covid-19. The lines at testing sites are long and tempers are short. Everyone is preoccupied with carrying on with Christmas, yet staying safe. It’s a tricky balance. Here’s how things are shaping up at Grace Church.

Despite the complications of this year I am looking forward to the days ahead. Christmas blessings to you and yours. Here we go!

Rector

The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching

The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching

The Very Rev. Harry E. Krauss

The Choir of Men and Boys

Dr. Patrick Allen, organ

Dec 24, 25, and 26 – Sunday School and Child Care – Please note that there will be no Sunday School or child care during Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services, but coloring sheets and other activities will be available at the back of the church on the children’s bookshelf. Sunday school will not meet on Dec. 26 or Jan. 2.  

Dec 24, 25 - The Offerings at all Christmas Services will go to support the Vestry Fund for Outreach, which makes grants to address hunger, homelessness, and poverty in our city. In 2021, grants from the Fund supported the Episcopal Charities of New York (which supports 100 parish-based mission programs in our diocese), Habitat for Humanity NYC (a seed grant for our fourth year of partnership for affordable housing), Hope for Our Neighbors in Need food program (which we volunteer at quarterly), Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison (which boasts an amazing success rate in keeping released graduates from going back to prison or to the streets), and the Seamen’s Church Institute (which provides hospitality, education, legal support, and pastoral care to mariners, who are often economically vulnerable and isolated). Please give generously this Christmas! 

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.  

Sunday Forum is on Recess until January 9th  

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. 

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.  

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. 

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.

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. 

Monday - Centering Prayer (over Zoom)

For questions about Zoom access, email the Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.

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. For Zoom access info, please see the link below or email the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger well before the event.

Women's Bible Study 

Find your local number.

For questions about Zoom access, contact the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger well before the event.

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

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.  

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.

To add a name to the prayer list, please contact The Rev. J. Donald Waring, Rector.

Send your photos of milestone events for possible publication in the Weekly Epistle to Matthew Kopp, Membership and Development Manager.