If You Are Fully Vaccinated (at least two weeks since your final shot) it is no longer required that you wear a mask indoors or outdoors at Grace Church.
Masks are still required for those not yet fully vaccinated. 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 am Holy Eucharist
in-person worship
11 am Holy Eucharist
in-person worship
and live-stream
on
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring,
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger,
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba
Music in July & August:
Soloist, (of the Adult Choir)
Mr. Christopher Houlihan, organ
THIS WEEK:
Children's Chapel is on break for the summer. Visit the Activity Corner in the north aisle for coloring supplies and books during the 9am and 11am services.
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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The Rector's Letter
August 2021
Dear Friends,
Greetings to you all, and a happy end-of-July to each one of you. What follows is the monthly Epistle for August to keep you abreast of summertime life at Grace Church and plans for the fall even as they are developing. Read on:
Covid Resurgence – It’s been impossible to avoid the news of a resurgence in the coronavirus. As most people know, the cause is two-fold: the Delta variant, and the segment of the population that has been unwilling to be vaccinated. Concerning the latter, it is hard not to feel enormous frustration with people who willfully risk being host to the ever-mutating virus and spreading it to others. A month ago it seemed like the train was pulling out of the station and we were leaving the pandemic behind. Ahead of us was life and community in abundance. Now it’s as if certain folks have decided to lay down on the tracks and stop all progress. Why? The reasons boggle the mind. They claim a constitutional right to do so. They fear boarding the train will alter their DNA, give them autism, and plant microchips in their bodies. A persistent campaign of good will, including common sense, sound science, and clear information has not dislodged the deluded conspiracy theories from their thinking. Now the incentive is payment of $100. One would think that immunity from a dread disease would be incentive enough, but apparently not.
What will it mean for the city just as life and commerce were beginning to bounce back? My guess is that it will be a developing picture as the month proceeds. Here at Grace Church we have a plan in place to re-open all the pews and return Hymnals and Prayer Books to their places in time for Sunday, August 8th. On Welcome Back Sunday, September 12th we plan to have vested choristers in the choir pews at 11 am, and the 6 pm Eucharist in the chantry once again. As of this moment we are forging ahead with those plans. What is more, if you are vaccinated you are not required to wear a mask indoors. The State of New York has stopped short of mandating the CDC mask recommendation. Who knows where we will be come September? I will say this: given the choice between returning to pandemic restrictions, or requiring that anyone 12 and older entering any part of Grace Church be vaccinated, I will opt for the latter without hesitation. Obviously, more on this to come.
Rebuilding the Staff – You may recall reading in the July Epistle that we were in a search for two new staff positions: a full-time Production and Communication Manager, and a part-time Parish Office Coordinator. You can read about both positions on the website here. The good news is that we have filled the Parish Office Coordinator position with a person whom we believe to be just right for the job. We are excited to welcome Michael Hawley to the staff. His first day will be Monday, August 16 th. As of now the Communications position remains open. We are confident that the right person will emerge, and committed to waiting until he or she does.
The Bread Line – If you listened to my sermon on July 18 th you heard me talk about the old Fleischmann’s Vienna Bakery building that stood directly south of the church on the lot that is now Huntington Close. For many years in the late-19 th and early-20 th centuries the owner of the baker, Louis Fleischmann, would hand out a free loaf of bread to anyone who stood in line. This was the origin of the phrase “the bread line.” In seeking to learn more about Fleischmann and his bakery I came across a vivid illustration of the scene by the noted artist C.W. Jefferys, who worked for The New York Herald at the time. The print was for sale on eBay, and thanks to Charlie Johnston, we now own it. Take a look.
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Finally, for many years I have reserved August as my vacation time, and that will be the case again. On Sundays I am looking forward to attending different churches as a civilian in a pew with Stacie, James, and Luke. Here at Grace Church the pulpit will be occupied by Harry Krauss on August 1st, Thomas Szczerba on August 8th and 22nd, and Julia Offinger on August 15th and 29th. (I get five Sundays this year!)
Summer blessings to you all. See you in September!
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
Rector
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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
The Reverend Canon Harry E. Krauss (preaching)
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11:00 am Holy Eucharist and Sermon
Church is open
for in-person worship!
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Reverend Canon Harry E. Krauss (preaching)
Music:
AJ Stetson, Soloist
Mr. Christopher Houlihan, 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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Summer Organist – We again welcome Christopher Houlihan to the organ bench. Christopher is the Organist and Distinguished Chair of Chapel Music at Trinity College, Harford, CT. He will be our guest organist for the months of July and August while Dr. Allen is away. |
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Coffee Hour Returns! Coffee and fellowship will be available today in Tuttle Hall following both the 9 and 11 am services.
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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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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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August 25th Summer BBQ – Join us this summer for another community BBQ on Huntington Close. This month's will be August 25th pm. Please RSVP to The Rev. Thomas Szczerba so we know how much food we need to provide.
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Church is Open
Four Days per Week
Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 3 pm
Wednesday, 5:30 to 6:30 pm
Sunday, 9 am to 12:30 pm
with Worship Service at 9 and 11 am
All are required to observe posted guidelines during in-person worship and events to adhere to CDC Covid-19 safety protocols. We ask visitors who are not vaccinated to take prevention measures; wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart, and sanitize your hands when inside Grace Church.
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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 and Thursday - Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN)
Tuesday and Thursday, noon–3 pm. All are required to wear a covering over their nose and mouth, and to observe posted safety guidelines.
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)
Bach at Noon
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GCW trip to The Morgan Library & Museum! On Saturday, September 18th, all are invited to join the women of Grace Church for a trip to the Morgan Library and Museum to see the Shahzia Sikander: Extraordinary Realities exhibit. We will meet in The Morgan Library lobby at 11 am, then go for lunch around 1 pm. Sikander is internationally celebrated for bringing Indo-Persian manuscript-painting traditions into dialogue with contemporary art practice. For more on the exhibit, visit the museum website.
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Grace Parish Showcase Art Exhibition & Fundraiser, Sunday, September 26th, immediately following the 11AM service. A physical display of the creativity and talent of Grace Church Parishioners as featured on the digital Showcase that kept us connected during COVID. Food, festivities, and guaranteed fun as we gather together once again! Creative works for display and sale, with proceeds benefiting Saving Grace NYC. Sponsored by the Grace Church Women (GCW).
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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:
Madge Elizabeth Rusz
Linda Flood
Cynthia Bennett
Sarah Crootof
Melissa Wooley
Faye Owen
Sean Love
Megan Dawe
Lindsay Feller & family
In our Continuing Prayers:
Claudia Paoloni
Tom Hall
Josephine Ferraiuolo
For those who have died:
The Rev. Canon H. Jay Atwood
Lee Stratten
Priscilla San Cartier
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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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Your engagement on our social media helps Grace Church!
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GRACE CHURCH IN NEW YORK
212-254-2000
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