Grace Church in New York
This Week at Grace
The Weekly Epistle
January 24, 2020
Dear Friends,
Just a few weeks ago my picture appeared in The New York Times, and friends from near and far sent me clippings and links. How did I come into my fifteen minutes of fame? The answer is simple: I was in the right place at the right time. More specifically, I serve a church that includes many amazing, creative, thoughtful parishioners. One of them is Ada Calhoun, who has just written a book entitled, “Why We Can’t Sleep: Women’s New Midlife Crisis.” On a Sunday last month Ada was coming out of the church after the service, and she had a photographer in tow. As I was greeting Ada, the photographer said, “Say cheese,” and so I did. Now I’m famous! Click here to read the article about Ada, and scroll through the pictures to find me.
As we look ahead to this Sunday, we have another parishioner with a fascinating story to tell. Steve Mumford is an artist who over a ten-year period traveled to some of the most dangerous places on earth – the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan, where he served as a combat artist. At this week’s Sunday Forum, Steve will be showing some of his watercolors and drawings, and talking about the experience of being there and creating them. I am really looking forward to seeing Steve’s work and hearing what he has to say. Frankly, it was only recently when I learned about Steve’s background. It just goes to show you: you never know who might be sitting in a pew near you at Grace Church.
Read below for more information about Steve and his upcoming presentation. The Sunday Forum meets at 10 am in the Reception Room. Coffee and breakfast goodies are served.
See you in church.
This Week’s Services
Wednesday, January 29
6 p.m. Holy Eucharist, in the Chantry
Sermon: The Rev. Chase Danford
Sunday, February 2
The Presentation of Our Lord
9 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Sermon: The Rev. J. Donald Waring
Music: The Parish Choir
11 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Sermon: The Rev. J. Donald Waring
Music: The Choir of Men and Boys
11 a.m. Service Video Streaming
6 p.m. Holy Eucharist
Sermon: The Rev. Megan E. Sanders
Music: Hymns with Instrumentalists
Sermon – January 26, 2020
Follow You?
Read the Sermon
Feb. 2 – The “Souper” Bowl of Caring
is a national youth-led effort to use the energy of the Super Bowl for a higher good: collecting dollars and food for the needy in our local communities. All are invited to play in this year’s game! Just bring some cash (or check) to the annual parish meeting and drop a few bills in the soup pot that corresponds to your Super Bowl team. We’ll have fun seeing which team raises more funds and also see if together we can beat last year’s generous total collection of $812 – all of which goes directly to local food ministries!
Feb. 2 – The Annual Parish Meeting
will be held in Tuttle Hall on Sunday, Feb 2, immediately following the 11 am service. Reports will be given by the Nominating Committee, the Treasurer, the Head of Grace Church School, the Senior Warden, and the Rector. Lunch will be served ($5 per person suggested donation).
Feb. 1 – Parish Day of Service – Five Ways to Serve Our Neighbors in Need
Grace Church parishioners and friends are invited to serve our local community together on Saturday, February 1st at any one of five available projects shown below. To sign up, please contact the Rev. Chase Danford.
Children’s Service Project (ages 5-13 and families) – Children are invited to their own special service project at the church from 10 am to 11:15 am, in which they will be preparing bags of cookies and cards for the guests served by Art and Acceptance, a program based at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields for LGBTQ young people experiencing homelessness. Families may also bring home-baked or packaged cookies to donate.
Serve a Meal to the Hungry (All ages welcome!) – Volunteers will serve a meal at Hope for Our Neighbors in Need, the soup kitchen of Church of the Village (W. 13th St.). Two shifts available: meal prep from 9-11:30 and serving lunch from 11:30 am to 3pm.
Food and Shelter for the Homeless (Ages 18 and up) – As part of an annual outreach effort in lower Manhattan, the volunteers of “Don’t Walk By” will canvas the streets, inviting individuals back to a host site for a hot meal, clothing, basic medical care, and connection to ongoing support. The afternoon begins with training. Sign up now at https://www.rescuealliance.nyc/dontwalkby because these spots fill up fast!
Painting with Habitat for Humanity (Ages 14 and up) – Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome to join with Grace Church and Habitat for Humanity, as we continue our 4 year partnership to support affordable housing and strengthen communities. This workday will be painting-focused at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Community Center, 34 West 134th Street, in East Harlem, easily accessible by the subway.
Welcoming People to Our Church with Open Door (Ages 18 and up) – Did you know that our church building is our biggest outreach to the community? Over 50,000 people enter our doors every year to enter, rest, and pray. Learn about this important ministry and try it out during a 1-3 pm or 3-5 pm shift.
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802 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
(212) 254-2000
An Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New York
