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The Weekly Epistle
The First Sunday After Christmas
December 28, 2025
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Dear Friends,
Today is Friday, December 26, the Second Day of Christmas, also known as the Feast of St. Stephen. As I look out my window, sadly, I see no snow, neither deep, nor crisp, nor even. Well, you can’t have everything, but we do have eleven more days (including today) to celebrate the great mystery of how God came to dwell among us in Jesus.
As December wore on this year, Christmas cards seemed to arrive at a slower pace than they normally do. I wondered if it was a sign that times are changing. Perhaps people are shifting to digital means of sending out Christmas greetings rather than relying on conventional mail. Or perhaps I was descending to the naughty or “not-this-year” list of people who traditionally send cards. I once saw a humorous gag Christmas card that read on the inside: Dear Friend, You’ve been on our Christmas card list for years and years, and we were just wondering, who are you?
It turns out I had nothing to fear. A few days before Christmas, the cards began arriving in a wonderful deluge. They came from Grace Church parishioners, people from churches I have served in the past, friends from long ago, and family in other parts of the country. I have opened and enjoyed every single one of them. Some snark (not I) once wrote a column about what Christmas cards have become. It used to be, the cynic complained, that in simpler times Christmas cards depicted the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Today we send pictures of ourselves. It is a sign of our narcissistic age. I completely disagree. Every family is holy. To say otherwise is to render meaningless the great hope of the Incarnation: And the Word became flesh and dwelled among us. So thank you for your Christmas cards that show your holy families. It is a joy to see how the light of Christ shines through your eyes.
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That being said, one thing that did not happen this year is a Waring family Christmas card. Why not? Well, last year we celebrated our twentieth anniversary at Grace Church, and with our sons now well into adulthood, thought that 2024 might be a good exclamation point to the run of family cards. Or, I could say that the month just got away from us, and it would be true. But Christmas is twelve days, why not do one now? On Sunday afternoon after the morning services, Stacie and I will be flying to Sweden to see the northern lights and celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We won’t be back until January 5. It will be too late for a Christmas card. Maybe next year. We shall see.
As I was thinking about all this, I came across our family card from 20 years ago, and thought I would share it with you. Stacie and I agree that while the lads have grown, we look remarkably the same.
A Merry Christmas to you all, my friends – all twelve days of it.
See you in church.
| | | Make your pledge to support the work of Grace Church. | | | |
9:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II
Preaching:
The Rev. James H.B. Morton
Music:
Patrick Allen, organ
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11:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I
Preaching:
The Rev. James H.B. Morton
Music:
The Adult Choir
Patrick Allen, organ
| | This service is video-streamed every week and can also be accessed via our YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook channels. | | |
6:00 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II
Preaching:
The Rev. James H.B. Morton
Music:
Patrick Allen, organ
| | The Sunday Forum is on recess this week for Christmas. | Coffee and Fellowship takes place today in Tuttle Hall following the 9 am service. Come enjoy coffee, conversation, and a variety of treats that have been provided. | Nursery Care – The nursery is open from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm (during and between both morning services). The room is located in the Sunday School wing just off Tuttle Hall and is professionally staffed according to Safe Church guidelines. Parents are welcome to bring their children up to age 4. Please contact our seminarian, Molly Gouran, for more information. | Children’s Chapel – During the 11 am service, children ages 5-12 are invited to start church with their parents in the pews and then join a member of the clergy and a musician in the chantry for a time of singing, stories, and prayer. Younger children are welcome to attend with an adult. Children will return during the announcements. | | Vestry Nominations – Many thanks to those who have agreed to serve on the Nominating Committee this year. According to our parish by-laws the Committee must consist of the Warden not up for reelection (Sally Hines), two Vestry members (Matt Davis and Martha Hirschman), two parishioners named by the Rector (Shingmin Lai and Douglas Armer), and the Rector, who serves as an ex-officio member. If you would like to nominate a Grace Church parishioner to serve on the Vestry, please fill out the form you will find on the table outside the Reception Room and place it in the “Vestry Nominations” box today, December 28, 2025. | | |
2026 Annual Pledge Campaign: “This is the Gate of Heaven” – On November 2, we began receiving financial commitments for supporting the work of the Lord through Grace Church in 2026. All parishioners and friends of the parish are asked to support the ministry of Grace Church by making an annual pledge. In this way we not only support the church, but give thanks to God for all the blessings of life. To make your pledge, please fill out the pledge envelope, place it in the offering plate, or return it to the parish office as soon as you can. You may also make your pledge online. You have all of 2026 to make your payments! Questions about pledging? Contact Travis Kennedy or call 212-254-2005. If your employer offers a program that matches your charitable giving, please contact Travis to learn about how you can amplify your giving by pledging to Saving Grace.
Onward to 300 Giving Households! –We are steadily making our way to 300! The next benchmark to achieve will be 250. Who will it be? When will it occur? What will the prize be? If you haven’t already made your 2026 pledge, be sure to do so, and the winner could be you.
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Emma Slibeck celebrates being the 200th pledger to the Annual Campaign. Her prize was a 10-pound spiral cut ham, which she donated to the Red Door Place.
| | Scaffolding – The interior scaffolding is finally down, allowing passage through the south aisle and access to all pews. Unfortunately, the stained-glass windows will remain dark until the exterior south aisle work can be completed and the protection removed. Also, walkway exterior scaffolding will remain in place as workers continue the “make safe” inspection of the spire and tower. | Join the Choir! – Do you have a child in grades two through twelve? The Choirs are always recruiting and, with creative scheduling, all young people are eligible to participate, not just those who attend Grace Church School. It’s fun, y’all come! Contact Patrick Allen to work out the details. Please visit the music website for more information about the choirs. | 6 pm Sunday and Wednesday Worship in the Chantry – If you cannot be here on Sunday mornings, note that every week we offer two evening opportunities for worship. The Sunday and Wednesday 6 pm services in the Chantry include Holy Eucharist, sermon, and lively hymn singing accompanied by our Steinway grand piano. The first Wednesday of every month includes prayers for healing and anointing with oil. | Canterbury Downtown Campus Ministry for College Students – Canterbury Downtown is an open and inclusive Episcopal campus ministry for students of Manhattan colleges. Students of all religious and cultural backgrounds are invited to share in a faith-based community, connect with one another, and grow together in Christ. During the academic year, students gather for worship, conversation, and a complimentary meal with Canterbury Downtown Chaplain, the Rev. Megan E. Sanders, following the Sunday 6 pm service at Grace Church. All college students are welcome. |
| Jan 11 – Amahl and the Night Visitors – At 4 pm in the church, the Adult Choir will offer Gian Carlo Menotti's classic Epiphany drama. | Jan 11 – Spaghetti Supper – Save the date for our next parish dinner! Everyone is invited to enjoy a spaghetti supper at 5 pm in Tuttle Hall immediately following Amahl and the Night Visitors and just before the 6 pm service. Bring a friend and come join the fun! Please RSVP to Travis Kennedy. | Jan 25 – Newcomers’ Lunch – New to Grace Church? Interested in learning more about this community and how to get involved? On January 25 at 12:30 pm, come for lunch in the Reception Room, meet a few new friends, and learn about the many offerings at Grace Church. RSVP to the Rev. James Morton. | Feb 1 – Annual Meeting – The annual meeting of the parish will be held in Tuttle Hall following the 11 am service. More information to come! | | |
9 am, 11 am Worship Services in the Church and 6 pm in the Chantry. The 11 am service is video streamed every week. | | The Sunday Forum – Between the services in the Reception Room (and over Zoom) starting around 10 am, we delve into theological and contemporary topics in depth. | | Nursery Care – The nursery (next to the Sunday School classroom, across Tuttle Hall) is open from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Adults can sign children ages 0-4 in and out at their convenience. The nursery is professionally staffed according to Safe Church guidelines. | | Children’s Chapel – During the 11 am service, children ages 5-12 are invited to start church with their parents in the pews and then join a member of the clergy and a musician in the chantry for a time of learning and prayer. Younger children are welcome to attend with an adult. Children return during the announcements. | | Coffee Hour – Coffee hour and fellowship take place in Tuttle Hall following the 9 and 11 am services. | | 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. | | Hymns from Grace – Held in the church during open hours and on the Organ Meditations YouTube channel at 4 pm - 45-minutes of favorite hymns, anthems and voluntaries played on the Bicentennial Organ. | | Monday – Centering Prayer – 12:15-12:45 pm – In person and on Zoom. 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. To practice in person, please come to the southeast corner of the church, just to the right of the organ and behind the pulpit. If you come down the center or north aisle and turn right, you'll see the spot set up. | | Tuesday-Friday – Bach at Noon – Held in the church during open hours and on the Organ Meditations YouTube channel at 12:20 pm through June 15, 2026- 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ. Everyone is invited to visit the church in-person or join the livestream on the Grace Church Organ Meditations YouTube channel. | | Wednesday – Women’s Bible Study – 10:30 am on Zoom. Please contact our seminarian, Molly Gouran, for Zoom instructions. | | Wednesday – 6 pm Eucharist in the Chantry | | Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN) Monday through Saturday from noon – 5 pm. Sundays 8:30 am to 5 pm (Sunday 6 pm service is in the chantry). | | Food Donations for The Red Door Place – Our food ministry partner, The Red Door Place at The Church of the Village, is a vital pantry/soup kitchen serving those in need, supporting the social safety net in our neighborhood. 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. Clothing donations are not needed for this ministry. | | Fresh Direct Bags Needed – The Red Door Place is also seeking donations of Fresh Direct bags to support its ministries. Please note that they only accept Fresh Direct bags. Other reusable bags are not needed. If you would like to donate bags, please place them in the collection baskets in the narthex with the food items. | | Knitters and non-knitters unite! Love to knit, curious how to start, or just want to dust off those old needles and plunge into purling again? We want you! We are looking for all levels of knitters to help grow our partnership with Seamen’s Church Institute and the Christmas at Sea program by knitting heart-made hats, scarves, and mittens. If you are interested, please contact Ashleigh Madureira. Just include your name, the number of adults/children in your household that may be interested, and the level(s) of experience. No experience is OK! | | Help Ukrainian Families – 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 their website to make a donation today. | | Altar Flowers – Every Sunday the flowers on the altar assist our prayers by reminding us of the beauty of God’s creation. The gift of flowers is a wonderful way to remember a departed loved one or give thanks for a happy occasion such as a birthday or an anniversary. The flowers not only brighten our Sundays, but remain on the altar most of the week for school chapels and open door hours. The cost for sponsoring the arrangements on both sides of the cross is $350, but donors can also go in together and jointly sponsor a Sunday. Either way, we will list the givers and the occasions in the Sunday bulletin. Please note that during Advent and Lent we observe those seasons with simpler arrangements that do not include flowers. That said, many other Sundays are available for flower donors to claim. If you are interested, please email Mickey Hawley in the parish office. | | Become a Worship Leader – Readers, ushers, and altar guild members play vital roles in all our services here at Grace Church. If you feel called to help us lead worship and are interested in learning more about any of these opportunities, email the Rev. James Morton and he can help you connect to a ministry that suits you. | Is hospitality your forte? Would you like to help put on parish events? If so, the Hospitality Guild wants your help! Throughout the year, Grace Church puts on many special events and opportunities for table fellowship. At parish dinners, summer cookouts, and other festive receptions, the Hospitality Guild helps set the table, lay the buffet, and extend the church’s hospitality to members and newcomers alike. If you would like to be on the list of people we reach out to when we need hospitality volunteers, please email Travis Kenendy. | | Nametags can be found on the boards in Tuttle Hall. Newcomers are encouraged to visit our welcome table during coffee hour to create their own nametags. If you are a pledging member and do not see your nametag on the boards in Tuttle Hall, please email Travis Kennedy so he can make you one. | | 20s & 30s at Grace Church – We have a very active group of parishioners in their twenties and thirties here at Grace who meet regularly for Pub Theology and other seasonal events. If you are interested in connecting with us, please email the Rev. James Morton and he will add you to our email list. You can also sign up for the WhatsApp group using the QR code. | | | Baptism at Grace Church – The sacrament of baptism takes place during a weekly, public worship service about once a month. If you are interested in baptism for yourself or a child, please first be in touch with the Rev. Don Waring to discuss next steps. Attendance at one class prior to your chosen baptism date is required. | | 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. James Morton. | | Restrooms are available on the 1st floor of the parish house, through the north aisle door near the baptismal font. | Please refrain from eating and drinking in the church to help keep the church a clean and peaceful space for all. | | Nut-Free Fare – To ensure the safety of all our parishioners, every precaution is taken to provide food that is nut-free at coffee hours and other receptions. If you are bringing treats for others to enjoy, please make sure they are nut-free. | | Safe Church – Grace Church is committed to providing its members, staff, and visitors with a place that is free of abuse and harassment. If you have observed, or personally experienced sexual or other forms of harassment, or other concerning behavior 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 to find a direct means of providing feedback. | | Assistive Listening System – During Sunday morning worship services, Grace Church provides an assistive listening system (ALS) for visitors with hearing loss. Please bring a small, handheld FM radio to the church to access this system. Once at the church, tune in to frequency 87.6 mHZ on your FM dial to listen. Please visit this page for more information. | | Give Via Venmo – If you don’t have cash on you, but still want to give to Grace Church, you can Venmo your donation to @GraceChurchNYC. Use the “What’s it for?” line to tell us the specific project or program you want to support. | Do you have an announcement for the bulletin? If you are a parishioner with an upcoming Grace Church event, please contact Michelle Henderson by 12 pm on Wednesday to request to add an announcement to the Sunday bulletin. | Photos and videos taken at services display the vibrancy and joy of Grace Church in print and online materials. As a participant in Grace Church events, you have a right to opt out of photos and videos. To do so, please contact Michelle Henderson. | | | | |
In Our Immediate Prayers:
Eric Overmyer
Bob Giordani
John Franklin
Lyan Isamael
Griffin Myers
J.J. Okash
Meg Scarpetta
In Our Continuing Prayers:
Beverly Banks
Ruth Poon
Ben Bennett
Vivienne Hosbein
Greg Maddock
Teresa Sowinski
Erin Thanik
Phillip Saylor
Claire Wesselman
Ronnye Brickous
The Episcopal Church in Haiti
William Dobi
For Those Who Have Died:
To add a name to the prayer list,
please email the Rector.
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