Radical welcome.  Faithful worship.  Compassionate service.  
13 August 2017  
Tenth Sunday After Pentecost

 8:00 am   Holy Eucharist

 9:15 am   Family Service with Eucharist 

11:00 am   Holy Eucharist with Hymns   

All services through the summer will be held in Guild Hall.

Coffee hours are held in Choir Room after 8 am, 9:15 am and 11 am services.
   
For detailed information about the parish calendar, ministries, and outreach please click the link below.
In Memoriam
Ann Walker Gaffney
14 December 1937 - 2 August 2017
Dear Members and Friends,
 
We announce with great sadness the death of Ann Walker Gaffney, long time and devoted member of Grace. Ann died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, August 2, following a long illness. 

Her memorial service will be held here at Grace Church, 11 am on Saturday, September 9, reception to follow in Guild Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.

Please also see this touching local tribute to Ann and her legacy.

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your servant Ann, and grant her an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with her daughter, Elizabeth; her son, Walker, with her grandchildren, and with all her family and friends in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord, and let Light perpetual shine upon her.

Faithfully yours in the Risen Christ,

The Reverend Anne F.C. Richards

Interim Rector

Rally Day is September 10

Heads up, All. We will celebrate Rally Day this year on Sunday, September 10, at 11 am. This will be an all-parish service, at 11 am, with Holy Baptism, and the Parish Fall BBQ immediately following the service on Grace Court.

If you would like to be baptized, or have child whom you would like to have baptized, please contact our Parish Administrator, Christian DeRuiter, or go to our website , and scroll down to “Holy Baptism” for the form. The form must be filled out completely, with all Godparents’ information ( including full addresses ) provided. Please mail  the completed form to Christian's attention at the church parish office (254 Hicks St., Brooklyn NY 11201) or put it in the collection plate. The deadline for the forms is Monday, August 28. All forms must have arrived here at Grace by that date in order for the baptisms to happen . Questions?  Email or call Christian at 718-624-1850, ext. 10.

There will be a rehearsal for the baptism on Sunday, September 10th at 10:15 am in the church. everyone who is part of the baptisms must be present - children, parents, Godparents, grandparents, dogs and cats, visits, hangers-on, friends. The rehearsal will be about 40 minutes long.

Thank you and see you soon,

Anne+

Annual Parish Fall BBQ, September 10
 
Dear Fellow Parishioners,

The day of our Annual Parish Fall BBQ is fast approaching - on Rally Day, Sunday, September 10, on Grace Court. As always, we would love to have your donations of salads and/or desserts, and we need half a dozen volunteers to help with the grilling of hamburgers and hot dogs. Please help make this event a fun one!

So that the entire Grace Church community can be together that day, we are having only one service, at 11 am. 

To volunteer your grilling time, or to let us know what type of salad or dessert you will bring, please sign up in the rear of Guild Hall, or email Martha Bakos Dietz or call 917-880-5653, or email Emily Horcher or call 718-625-1586.

We’re open for worship!   
Our parish office is open daily Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The sanctuary is always available during these hours for private worship.    

Many of us need a few moments of prayer and contemplation from time to time. Ring the doorbell to the office at the Hicks Street entrance, and Christian will gladly welcome you into the sanctuary.
Grace Church School Applications
Parish families interested in applying for admission to Grace Church School for the 2018-2019 school year may request an application online beginning at 9 am on Wednesday, September 6, 2017.

Completed applications are due September 29, 2017. Tours will be assigned once completed applications are received.  

Please indicate that you are applying under Special Consideration status as a Grace Church Parish Member. 

Special consideration eligibility does not guarantee admission to the school. For further information about special consideration eligibility, please speak with Anne.

August Hymn Sings
Plan now to attend our annual August Hymn Sings every Tuesday evening in August, ending Tuesday, August 29 .

We will meet in the air conditioned Choir Room, starting at 7:00 pm and ending at 8:30 pm. 

We have loads of fun singing everything from Gregorian chant and old favorites to Country Western Christian! When was the last time you sang  I Want to Be a Cowboy for Jesus or Telephone to Jesus?

Led by our Organist and Choirmaster Paul Olson, we will have other presenters, including Grace choir member Patricia Woodward and Plymouth Church member, Jacque Jones.

Over the years, this has become a popular summer activity not only for Grace Church Brooklyn Heights members, but for friends all throughout Brooklyn.

Bring friends and enjoy with us the diversity of religious hymnody.

If you have questions or hymn requests, please  email Paul. 
Announcing the 2017-2018 Children’s Choir Schedule at Grace Church
Rehearsals for the 2017-2018 year will start Monday, September 11 beginning at 3:30 - 4:15 pm in the Choir Room. 

The Children’s Choral program is open to children ages 4-8.  Children get basic tools in singing, to learn to enjoy singing, to learn about the church, the church year and to learn a wide range of  fun music. 

Children sing at the 9:15 am family service as well occasionally at the 11:00 service.  Children are encouraged to bring a friend. There is always a special treat or snack following the rehearsal. Parental participation is also encouraged. We want to encourage more participation with our children in our worship services.

A schedule for the year will be given out and emailed to families at the first rehearsal.

I look forward to working with your children another year, Paul.

For further information, please contact Paul Olson at 718-624-1850 x20, or by email.

Fall Bible Study resumes, September 19
Beginning on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at 10:30 am to Noon in the Choir Room, Grace Church is offering a five-week seminar on the Minor Prophets.  The seminar will be led by the Rev. Dr. Christian D. von Dehsen, a Lutheran pastor and biblical scholar, and will offer opportunities to explore the messages of the 12 Minor Prophets through study and lively discussion.  

The schedule for the seminar is:

September 19: Introduction to the historical context and a focus on the prophet Amos

September 26: A focus on the prophets Hosea, Jonah, and Nahum

October 3:  A focus on the prophets Obadiah, Joel, and Micah

October 10:  A focus on the prophets Zephaniah, Habakkuk, and Haggai

October 17:  A focus on the prophets Zechariah and Malachi

Rector Search —
Bishop’s Approval Received for First Round of Interviews

Search Committee pictured above: 

Front row, left to right: Sarah Davies, Marilyn Grant, Vivian Harrison, Barbara Becker, Anne Silver, Brianna McCarty. Back row, left to right: Thomas Baldwin, Craig Whitney, Michael Rycheck, Chris Larson.

In the past week, things have moved quite speedily on the Rector Search front. Last week we reported that following a robust response to our posting, and careful consideration of all applicants, the Committee had selected, and submitted to the Bishop, a list of 12 applicants with whom to conduct the first round of interviews. The Bishop responded very quickly, and the Committee is now in the process of scheduling telephone interviews with each of the approved candidates. Following these calls, the Committee’s next task will be to select from this group six or seven candidates for in-depth, in-person interviews.

The Committee is grateful for the prayers and support of the clergy, the Wardens, the Vestry and the entire parish throughout this important process of transition.

You can view our Parish Profile  here  

For further information, please contact the Search Co-Chairs, Vivian Harrison and Barbara Becker
Pastoral News and Prayer Concerns

Parish Prayer Concerns: Wendy Hooker; Sally Forbes; Sybil Payne; Patrick Owen Burns, Sr.; Bill Newbury; Jacob Connor; Eric and Frances Harrison.

Grace Church | 254 Hicks Street | Brooklyn NY 11201