Sunday, October 25, 2026

The Twenty-second Sunday

after Pentecost

Worship Service

with Holy Eucharist

in person a at

8 am and 9:15 am

in person and online at

11 am

Our 11 am service can be viewed live on Vimeo or our website.

Thank You for Celebrating Multicultural Day and Joining the Community Dinner This Past Sunday

We had a blast at Grace Church Brooklyn Heights’ Eighth Annual Multicultural Day! 

We celebrated the rich diversity of our community through festive worship, multilingual prayers and lessons, multicultural music, international food and a pinata, a performance by the St. Augustine’s Pan-A-Praise Steel Orchestra, a dance by our Sunday School students, and special remarks by Grace parishioner Nicholas Ma. See more photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

We also enjoyed keeping the party going and the food warm, with the addition of pulled pork sandwiches, Mexican Street Corn casserole, coleslaw and chili with rice, for our Community Dinner guests at 2 pm. We served 50 guests. The next Community Dinner will be Sunday, November 15.

Thank you to all our volunteers throughout this beautiful fall day!

Names of the Departed 

We will list names of the departed in our Evensong bulletin. If you would like any names of loved ones to be listed, please email them to Melissa Kelly in the Parish Office  no later than 3 pm on Wednesday, October 28th. Names of those who died in the past year will be read during the service.

Interfaith Shelter Needs This Week: Oct. 26-28

Thank you to all our volunteers who have helped us have a successful Interfaith Homeless Shelter so far this month! Success of the shelter relies heavily on volunteer participation – two volunteers are needed on each day to cook, and two volunteers to sleep overnight.

Can you help? As of today, we are still in need of overnight volunteers for the following dates: 10/26, 10/27, 10/28

Use SignUp Genius or sign up on the board in the Guild Hall. Please contact Jane Nelson or Elizabeth Stong with any questions. 

Volunteer with Grace Church at Red Hook Farms on Nov. 7

Our final volunteer day for the 2026 season is Saturday, November 7. Sign up today with Theresa Seabaugh.

Our relationship with Red Hook Farms aligns perfectly with Grace’s Core Values! By contributing our time and talent, we serve with compassion in an underserved community.  In addition, by supporting a sustainable urban agricultural enterprise that financially benefits the local community, we are working for social justice to address food insecurity by improving access to healthy and affordable food. Red Hook Farms grew almost 20,000 pounds of food last year.

Check Out Our Fall Docent Tours on Nov. 1 and 15

Docent tours are back! Join us for tours of the sanctuary. Take a step back in history and learn how the architecture of our church, its community, and greater Brooklyn Heights have evolved over the last 175+ years.

The 2026 docent tour schedule is November 1, November 15, and December 6, with an organ demo by Paul Olson on December 6.

Tours begin at 12:30 pm; meet in the aisle by the small baptismal font.

Please reach out to James Newton if you are interested in becoming a docent!

Calling All Families! Grace Church Christmas Pageant Details and Dance Form Deadline (Tomorrow!)

Greetings, Christmas Pageant Families, Participants, and Fans! Mark your calendars now for the 2026 Christmas Pageant scheduled for the 11 am service on Sunday, December 13, 2026. Full cast rehearsals will be held Saturdays November 21, December 5, and December 12 from 9 to 11 am. There are plenty of ways to get involved: participants are ages 3 to 14; volunteers are teens and adults.  

Like last year, there is an opportunity for participants to be part of a dance. If your child is interested in expressing themselves in the Pageant through dance, please fill out this form by tomorrow, October 23, to help us gauge interest. All abilities and experience welcome - invite your friends!

Contact Brianna McCarty if you have any questions or if you're a teen/adult who wants to volunteer! 

Grace's Next Generation of Faith: Sunday School for K-5 and Middle School Faith & Forum This Sunday

Children in grades K*-5 are invited to participate in Sunday School from 10:15–10:45 am in Classroom 2, after the 9:15 am Family Service. Volunteer teachers lead children in 30-minute sessions focusing on Bible stories, using the Storymakers curriculum. 

Our new Middle School Faith & Forum kicks off this Sunday, October 25 from 10:15–10:50 am in the Library. Through conversation and Scripture, middle schoolers will discuss identity, friendship, mental health, leadership, character, and what it means to grow into who God is calling them to do. Faith & Forum is offered monthly: October 25, November 22 and December 20, with more dates to come.

Would you like to help? Adults who are interested in volunteering as teachers or substitutes can contact the Rev. Leandra Lambert.

Grace Church School Admissions for 2027-2028: Deadline to Apply is Nov. 9

Applications for 2027-2028 at Grace Church School are available on the school website.

The School offers a warm introduction to classroom life for young children, from its toddler Together Time program to preschool for children ages 2-5 years. It has a child-centered, play-based curriculum that meets children where they are, ignites their curiosity, and fosters a love of learning.

The deadline to apply is Monday, November 9, 2026.

Children of families who are members of Grace Church may be eligible for special admissions consideration. Email parishoffice@gracebrooklyn.org to determine eligibility.

Save the Date: Seniors, Opinionated Elders and Retirees Luncheon

On Thursday, November 12 at 12:30 pm, we will hold our annual Seniors, Opinionated Elders, and Retirees Luncheon. Please join us in the Guild Hall for lunch, conversation, and good company! RSVP to Melissa Kelly.

This Sunday at 4pm: Plymouth Church Organ Dedication

A Service of Dedication for the new IV/58 Aeolian-Skinner Organ, Opus 964 (1937)

Sunday, October 25. 2026 at 4 pm

Plymouth Church, 57 Orange Street, Brooklyn, NY

The choirs of Plymouth Church and Grace Church Brooklyn Heights will join their voices in celebration and dedication of Plymouth’s Aeolian-Skinner Organ. A reception will follow.

Ready to Discard Your Old Electronics?

Stop by the First Unitarian Congregational Society at 119-121 Pierrepont Street this Sunday, October 25 from 10 am to 2 pm for a Community Recycling Event.

Computers, keyboards, printers, phones, TVs, video games and more all qualify for recycling. And, if you're cleaning out your closet, you can bring old clothes, shoes, towels, and linens too. Just make sure you save the good stuff for our Winter Fair!

Warm Clothing Collection at Plymouth Church

CLOTHING DISTRIBUTION & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

The first warm clothing distribution will take place on Sunday, November 8, from 12:30–4pm.  They also seek volunteers to sort clothing and prepare for the distribution on October 30, November 1, and November 5. High school students are very welcome! We simply ask that groups of teens be accompanied by an adult.



VOLUNTEER HERE

BQE Town Hall --

An Invitation from Lincoln Restler

The Mamdani Administration has released a new plan to fix the Triple Cantilever section of the BQE.

Community members are invited to the BQE Community Town Hall on October 29 from 6pm to 8pm at Borough Hall (209 Joralemon St). City officials will make a presentation on their proposal, explain next steps, and have breakout tables for those with additional questions. Please RSVP here.  

This town hall is an important opportunity for community members to learn about the proposal and share their feedback directly with the Mamdani Administration. 

RSVP Here

Evening Prayer

One of Rev. Erika’s favorite worship experiences was Evening Prayer, a spiritual practice she’d learned from her dad, Fr. John Meyer. During the pandemic shutdown Erika began to lead Evening Prayer for us on Zoom, Tuesdays through Fridays at 5 pm—and we are continuing that practice even though she is no longer with us.

This service is an informal, drop-in opportunity to pray and read scripture with others and includes a mini-Bible study on the day’s gospel reading. You are enthusiastically invited to follow Erika’s example and join us some afternoon—no commitment necessary! To join, please use the following Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7186241850. 

Rector's Bible Study

The Rector's Bible Study Group meets every Tuesday at 10 am in the Choir Room. We continue to discuss our summer reading: Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey.



If you cannot make it in person, participants can also join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7186241850. 

Should you have any questions, please reach out directly to the Rector.

Centering Prayer is a method of contemplative prayer in which we rest silently in the presence of God. It is a very simple method that is easy to learn. We may think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words, but this is not the only form of prayer.

Zoom sessions are held on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm. Each session lasts approximately 50 minutes with a 20-minute period of silence. Instructions on how to participate are part of each session.

Use this link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85673451852

The Rector's Discretionary Fund

Even the most meticulously crafted budget can’t always cover an unexpected emergency, e.g. a child’s trip to the ER, a car vandalized and needing an expensive part, an elderly parent in another city requiring help.

Since it was established in 2004, the Rector’s Discretionary Fund has given to parishioners in circumstances like these. The need is great, and the sole source of funding for this important fund is the generous contributions of our congregation, helping members of our Grace community when they are facing temporary financial hardship.

Contributing to this important fund fulfills our parish goal of Serving with Compassion. If you would like to participate, you can do so by using our online payment system, Realm. If you prefer to pay by check, please make it out to Grace Church Brooklyn Heights with Rector’s Discretionary Fund on the memo line. Thank you for your faithful generosity.

Parish Prayer Concerns and Thanksgivings

This week we pray:

... may we continue to grow in our love of God and one another. May we try with all our might to do only that which is pleasing to the Lord; and may he prosper the work of our hands and hearts, prosper our handiwork.

... for the Church, and especially for Sean, our Presiding Bishop, and Adam, our bishop; may they, and we, always experience the wonder and joy of loving and being loved by God.

... that the people of Grace Church may know an ever- greater sense of gratitude for all the ways that he has shown love for us. May we be filled with awe and thankfulness for his gifts, and may we manifest that love and gratitude in care and compassion for neighbor and stranger alike.

... for all those suffering from war, especially the people of Ukraine, as well as the Middle East, Haiti and South Sudan; may the God of peace hold them close in loving care and protection, grant them strength to endure great hardship, sustain their hunger for peace, freedom and justice, and keep their hope alive.

... for all those affected by shootings and violence, and especially the children; that God will be their refuge and strength, and inspire people of faith everywhere to find and work for solutions.

... for free, fair and safe elections, that the voices of all may be heard, and be allowed to determine our own futures. May we all cast our votes with courage and hope in our hearts.

... in thanksgiving for the dedication of the Aeolian-Skinner organ at Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims on Sunday; may God grant his blessing on the combined voices of the Plymouth and Grace Church choirs, raised in joyful celebration.

... for those who care each day for sick or aging loved ones.  For those commended to our prayers, especially Lee, Arinola, Luke, Liz, Judith & Sandy, Jane E., Robert, Donna, Tom C., Heidi, Boseda & Oke, Eve & Phillip, Sandra & Kevin, Jimmy & Diana, Ronnie, China, John H., Jim C. & family, Nancy, Andrea, Steve S. & family, David, Mira, Barbara & family, Patricia, Marie, Laura, Sara, Carl & Marianne, Irene, William, John, Dan & Barbara. Ali, Cathy B., and the Piper-Shedd family. For those whose names and needs are known only to God. 

... For those who have died, and especially Rita Scantlebury, mother of Dave Dowrich and mother-in-law of Verna Holder; may they be welcomed into God’s arms. For God’s loving presence with all who mourn; Loving God, Hear our prayers.

Looking Ahead

Sundays at Grace

Grace Church holds 3 services on Sundays, at 8 am , 9:15 am family service, and 11 am with the Parish Choir. All are welcome! See the full church calendar of upcoming services and events on our website. 

Join us for coffee hour. Please join us for coffee and snacks after the service in the Guild Hall.

We have childcare available in the Colonial Room (across the hall from the kitchen).

Holy Eucharist is offered in both kinds, bread and wine. The wine is offered from a common cup. At communion, after receiving the bread, proceed to the eucharistic minister to receive the wine by drinking directly from the chalice. Intinction is not permitted. Those not wishing to drink from the chalice may cross their arms and reverence the cup.

If you have any questions about our worship schedule, please contact Melissa Kelly, Parish Administrator, at parishoffice@gracebrooklyn.org or (718) 624-1850 ext. 10.

Giving to Grace

You can make a pledge or general offering donations by text! Send a text to 73256 with the message "GraceBrooklyn." You can also make one-time pledge payments and general offering donations online here. If you would like to set up a recurring pledge payment, please contact Melissa Kelly.

Grace Notes Submissions

Announcement submissions for Grace Notes and Sunday bulletin can be sent to Melissa Kelly. All submissions must be received no later than Thursday at 10 am in order to be included in that week's e-newsletter and bulletin. Thank you!

Weekday Visits to Grace

When you visit, please use the Clergy Door, which is the first door on your right in the Hicks Street courtyard. Our office hours are Monday - Friday 9 am-5 pm.

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