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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 Baptism and Holy Eucharist
in-person worship
(in the Church and live-stream)
on
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
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,
Years ago I was reading through some old Vestry minutes of Grace Church from the early 1940s. I noticed that a “Committee on Retrenchment” was at work. Through the early part of the 20th century Grace Church oversaw a small empire of ministry: Grace Chapel, the Choir School, boarding houses, a nursing home, a day care center, and a fresh-air camp in New Canaan, CT. Grace Church underwrote them all until the Great Depression and then World War Two made it unsustainable. The mission of the Committee on Retrenchment was to close down ministries, sell off properties, and pull way, way back. I remember hoping at the time that we would never have to form anything like a Committee on Retrenchment, and that Grace Church would experience steady, sustainable growth.
The good news is that we have not established a Committee on Retrenchment. We are, however, pulling back this summer more so than we normally do. The reasons are financial. The lawsuits brought against us through the Child Victim’s Act have hit the endowment especially hard, inhibiting its ability to assist with our mission. 80 4th Ave, the church-owned building on the corner of 4th and 10th Street has been responsible for up to a third of our operating revenue, but costly repairs and the changing nature of retail have curtailed the available distribution of funds.
We are confident that the storm will pass. Our membership is strong, giving is good, and New York City will recover from the pandemic. But in the meantime you may notice some differences in our offerings. For example, after this week our 6 pm Sunday and Wednesday Eucharists will go on recess for the summer. Worship will be at 9 and 11 am only until September. Will this be enough to make a dent in our deficit? Hardly, but we have to start somewhere. Also, I am hopeful that by next summer we will be advancing to full strength again.
Forgive the overall negative tone of the above paragraphs. I have disliked writing them, but it is important parish news to pass along. Let it not overshadow the good things we have ahead of us, not the least of which is the Annual Parish Picnic and choir recognition this Sunday. Also, if the 6 pm Sunday service has to end for the summer, we’re going to close it with a bang! It will be in the main church, feature the baptism of Gus Offinger, and the preacher will be Gus’ grandmother (and Julia’s mother), the Rev. Nancy Webb Stroud. Read more about it below.
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. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
Music:
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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11:00 am Morning Prayer
Church is open
for in-person worship!
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
Music:
Adult Choir
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 Baptism and Eucharist Rite II
In the Church
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Clergy:
The Rev. Nancy Webb Stroud, preaching
The Rev. J. Donald Waring,
The Rev. Megan E. Sanders
Music:
Dr. Patrick Allen, Organ
Service will be video-streamed.
vice Bulletin
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June 12th The Annual Parish Picnic and Choir Recognition Sunday - Everyone is welcome to Huntington Close today following the 11am service for the Annual Parish Picnic! Delicious pulled-pork and BBQ chicken sandwiches, salads, desserts, and beverages galore will be available. Join us in celebration of the choir ministries of Grace Church and to help bring our program year to a joyous and festive close. Suggested donation at the door is $10 per person.
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Final Children’s Chapel Today – During the 11 am sermon children are invited to the chantry for an age-appropriate time of learning and prayer. After today Children’s Chapel will go on recess for the summer. Children are encouraged to make use of materials in the activity corner in the north aisle. Children’s Chapel will resume in September.
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Final Sun. Eve. Eucharist – After today’s final service he 6 pm Sunday Eucharist will go on hiatus for the summer. Preceding the service, at 4 pm, there will be a gathering for everyone on the lawn of Huntington Close to toast the year. The service itself will be in the main church and feature the baptism of Gus Offinger, son of Julia and Caitlin. The preacher will be the Rev. Nancy Webb Stroud, grandmother of Gus (and mother of Julia!). The 6 pm Sunday service will resume on September 4
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June 19 - Farewell to Thomas! The Rev. Thomas Szczerba has accepted the call to serve as an Associate Rector at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Radnor, Pennsylvania. Thomas’ final Sunday with us will be June 19th when he will preach at both the 9 am and 11 am services. After the 11 am service we will speed Thomas on his way with a pizza party in Tuttle Hall. Check your conventional mail for more details about farewell celebrations for Thomas.
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June 29 – The first of our summer cookouts will take place on Weds. June 29, 6 pm on the lawn of Huntington Close. Come celebrate the summer and connect with fellow parishioners over hot dogs, hamburgers, desserts, and beverages. Subsequent summer cookouts will be Wednesdays, July 27 and August 31, both at 6 pm.
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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
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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.
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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
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Return of Communion Wine – With the declining number of COVID cases in the city and state, Bishop Dietsche has approved the administration of sacramental wine at Holy Eucharist, effective immediately. Today at the 9 am and 6 pm services 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.
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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.
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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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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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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.
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9am and 11am Worship Service - The Church is open for in-person worship.
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Coffee and Fellowship will take place in Tuttle Hall after the 9:00 am and 11:00 am services. Join us for brownies, cookies, and other treats as well as something cool to drink.
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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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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.
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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)
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The Church is Open All Summer
Everyday, 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:
Larry Raymond
David Shoenfeld
Leon Leader
Karen Scramlin
In our Continuing Prayers:
Catherine Gooding
Ronnye Brickous
Claudia Paoloni
William Dobi
Tom Hall
Josephine Ferraiuolo
For those who have died:
Bill Minuse
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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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