The Weekly Epistle - Sunday, February 1, 2026

The Weekly Epistle

The Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany

February 1, 2026

Dear Friends,

This coming Sunday is the day we will hold the annual meeting of Grace Church. Following the 11 am service, instead of coffee hour we will enjoy lunch together in Tuttle Hall, then hear reports from various lay leaders who are overseeing many of our committees. Towards the end of the meeting I'll share my observations, focusing this year on the nature of our community, the work of the church as I saw it in 2025, and our mission ahead in 2026.

The annual meeting is also the time when we pay formal attention to leadership transition. The vestry consists of two wardens and twelve vestry members. The vestry members serve three-year terms, with the possibility of being nominated for a second term. The twelve are grouped into three classes of four. Typically, a vestry class of four will have two members serving a first term, and two members serving a second term. Thus, when we arrive at the annual meeting, the nominating committee presents two new people to serve a first term, and two existing vestry members to serve a second term. We then give thanks for the work of the two off-going vestry members. At least, that’s the way it works on paper.

But life has a way of happening. From time to time, for various reasons, vestry members will need to vacate a seat in the middle of a term. What happens then is that the vestry goes to the list of names generated by the nominating committee, and appoints the person next in line to fill the unexpired term. When the term is expired, that person then can be nominated for his or her own first term. Or, in the nominating process, a vestry member might decline the offer to serve a second term. To cut to the chase, we can wind up with years like this year, when the staggered vestry class is slightly askew.

The class of 2026 consists of two members who will be retiring from the vestry. Martha Hirschman is finishing her second three-year term, and Matt Davis moved to Virginia last September. Matt was serving his first term, and has been the Clerk of the vestry. Fortunately, since last fall he was able through Zoom to attend meetings and even take the minutes. Obviously, the time has come to fill his seat with a member who can be here in person.

Thus, on Sunday we will give thanks to Martha and Matt for their service, and present Rachel Kuhns and Mark Sowinski for election to the vestry. Also being presented will be Ansley Galjour, to serve a second three-year term, and Ravi Chanmugam to serve his own first three-year term (Ravi has been on the vestry since last year, completing the unexpired term of Sally Hines, who was elected as Junior Warden). Therefore, Ansley, Mark, Rachel, and Ravi will comprise the class of 2029. Is your head spinning yet? Here’s one more. Also being presented for election will be Douglas Evans for a fourth two-year term as warden. Typically, wardens serve three two-year terms, but the vestry wanted to create some daylight between the terms of the two wardens so that we don’t lose them both within the space of a year. You can see a photo and read a short bio for all the candidates, below.

If the annual meeting just isn’t your thing, but you’d still like to hear about the work of the church, let me tempt you with the Sunday Forum. The Rev. Harry Krauss will be sharing biographical sketches of several historic figures who have served on the vestry in our 200+ years. Come to hear about these colorful characters, and their exploits for the growth of God’s kingdom. 10 am in the reception room, with breakfast treats served.

See you in church.

Ravi Chanmugam

Mr. Ravi Chanmugam began attending Grace Church in 2010, along with his son Aditya Strummer Chanmugam, who was baptized and confirmed at Grace. Aditya has been a participant in the Pageant, Choir and served as an acolyte. Ravi’s wife Christina Lucas began attending Grace Church in 2019. Ravi and Christina co-chaired the public phase of the 2024 Capital Campaign. Ravi graduated from Harvard College and received his MBA from Harvard Business School. He began his career at Equitable Life and McKinsey & Co. and has been a strategy consultant at Accenture for the past 24 years where he is currently a Senior Managing Director. Ravi has been a David Rockefeller Fellow in association with the Partnership for New York City and is an active supporter of skills and jobs-focused not for profits.

Douglas Evans

Mr. Douglas H. Evans and his wife Sarah E. Cogan have attended Grace Church since 1987. Their children, Anne, Thomas and Elizabeth, were baptized at Grace Church, served as choristers, and attended Grace Church School. Sarah spent many years on the Vestry and as Junior and Senior Warden. Douglas is a practicing lawyer. He is chair of the Vestry Development Committee and is currently serving on the Vestry to fill an unexpired term. Douglas has addressed this meeting many times in his twelve years as chair of the board of trustees of Grace Church School and now is honored and humbled to be asked to serve.

Ansley Galjour

Ansley Galjour has been living in New York City since 2013, and quickly discovered Grace Church as her spiritual home. She is regularly an usher and lay reader at the 11 am Sunday service. She has seen firsthand the benefits that Grace Church provides parishioners and the community in New York City and is honored to be part of the Vestry. She has worked at Pariveda Solutions, a management and technology consulting firm, for over 15 years and is currently a Senior Principal. She has her BBA in Management Information Systems from Texas A&M University in College Station.

Rachel Kuhns

Rachel has been a member of Grace Church since 2017, and was formally received here in 2022. She's an active member of the Grace Church Women's Group, and she also serves on the Altar Guild and the team of Ushers. Rachel received a Bachelor's degree from Drexel University and a Master of Science from New York University in Global Affairs, with a concentration in Transnational Security. She currently works as a Program Manager in Global Data Privacy and AI in the life sciences sector. In addition to serving at Grace Church, Rachel enjoys practicing martial arts and volunteering with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of NY, the National MS Society, and various animal rescue organizations in NYC.

Mark Sowinski

Mark and his wife, Callie, began attending Grace Church in 2017. Their children, Andrew and Nellie, were baptized at Grace Church in 2023 and 2025. Mark currently serves as a member of the Outreach Committee and credits taking part in Grace Church outreach events at Red Door Place for deepening his involvement with the community. Professionally, Mark is an Executive Director in the Global Power and Energy Group within Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking division. Before joining Morgan Stanley, Mark was an investor at Vision Ridge Partners, a sustainable infrastructure private equity firm, after beginning his career in investment banking. Mark holds a BA from Washington and Lee University. Mark is honored to serve the Grace Church community.

Quick Links

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Services This Sunday

9:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II

Preaching:

The Rev. J. Donald Waring

Music:

Patrick Allen, organ

11:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I

Preaching:

The Rev. J. Donald Waring

Music:

The Choir of Men and Boys

Patrick Allen, organ

Worship With Us Online

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 III

Music:

Hymns with Instrumentalists

Parish Life This Sunday

Coffee and Fellowship take place today in Tuttle Hall following the 9 am service. Come enjoy coffee, conversation, and a variety of treats that have been provided.

The Sunday Forum – What is a vestry? What is a warden? Don’t know? Can’t remember? Is a blank look your response? At the Sunday Forum at 10 o’clock in the Reception Room we’ll have a quick review before we attend the Annual Meeting. The Very Rev. Harry Krauss will use and display material from the parish archives to prep us on our Vestry, past and present. You’ll meet our first two wardens and several other vestry members from the past. Coffee and breakfast treats will be served.

Annual Meeting – The annual meeting of the parish follows the 11 am service in Tuttle Hall with luncheon served. Reports will be given by the Nominating Committee, the Treasurer, the Senior Warden, and the Rector. We’ll hear greetings from the Head of Grace Church School and the GO Project. Lunch will be served ($10 per person suggested donation).

Vestry Nominations – The Vestry Has Accepted the Nominating Committee’s report and is pleased to announce the following slate of persons to be voted on at our Annual Meeting. For a fourth two-year term as a Churchwarden: Douglas Evans. For a second three-year term as Vestry member: Ansley Galjour. For a first three-year term as a Vestry member: Mark Sowinski, Rachel Kuhns, and Ravi Chanmugam (who has been serving out the unexpired term of Sally Hines, who became a Church Warden last year). Many thanks to the committee and to those who have agreed to stand for election.

Feb 1 and 8 – The Souper Bowl of Caring is a national 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. You can also Venmo your donation to @GraceChurchNYC by putting Souper Bowl (Team Name) in the “What’s it for?” line. We’ll have fun seeing which team raises more funds – all of which goes directly to our food ministry partner, The Red Door Place!

300 Giving Households! – We announced last week that we exceeded our goal of 300 pledging households in 2026, the highest number of pledging households in the 218-year history of Grace Church. Thank you to everyone who has pledged! We are grateful to have you in our midst, shaping this parish community. Join us for this week's 11 am service to celebrate reaching 300 and to see who will win the surprise prize! Now we are forging ahead to 350, with more fanfare to come if we reach it. If you have not yet made a pledge, there is still time!

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 be sure to collect your children by 12:30 pm. 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 return during the announcements.

Feb 1, 8, 22, Mar 1 & 8 – Cities in the Bible | Sunday Evening Adult Formation – At the outset, the Bible does not have great things to say about cities. They are often corrupt and unwelcoming to outsiders. Hence, it would seem God’s grand design is to restore all of us to a garden, yet all is not as it seems at first! The Bible can be surprising, and it may include some good news for New Yorkers who call this city home. Meeting a total of six times, this course will employ resources from The Bible Project and be led by the Rev. James Morton. We will meet on Sunday evenings in the Chantry immediately following the 6 pm service. No advance reading is necessary to participate. Refreshments served.

2026 pledge envelopes are available for those who use them! If you received 2025 pledge envelopes, your 2026 envelopes are available after service at the coffee hour. Please make sure to take the box with your name on it, as the number on the envelope identifies the person who made the donation! If you did not receive pledge envelopes last year but would like to receive them this year, please contact Travis Kennedy.

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 Choirs page of our website for more information.

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.

Coming Soon

Feb 4 – Wednesday Evening Study – Episcopal Identity and the Book of Common Prayer – What is unique about the Episcopal way of being Christian? How does God speak through our particular practices and prayers? On four Wednesday evenings the Very Rev. Dr. Patrick Malloy, the recently retired Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, will lead sessions to help us better understand and utilize the Episcopal Church and its resources. This is an excellent opportunity for newcomers to meet others and learn more. 6:45-8 pm in the reception room. Refreshments served.

Feb 7 – Bag Lunch Volunteer Day – Help us prepare a quick and easy meal for our neighbors in need. We’ll gather here at the church from 9-12 pm on Sat., Feb. 7 to pack bag lunches for our food ministry partner, The Red Door Place, to distribute. All ages welcome! Contact the Rev. James Morton if you’d like to attend. If you can’t join on Feb. 7 but still want to support, please bring any extra Fresh Direct bags you have to the church before the volunteer day. We use the bags to transport the lunches to The Red Door Place and have very few at present, so this would be a huge help!

Feb 8 – CANCELLED: Annual Festival of Music for Treble Voices has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict with the GCS ski trip.

Feb 18 – Ash Wednesday – Services at 8 am in the chantry, 12:10 and 6 pm in the church include homily by the Rev. James Morton, the imposition of ashes, and Holy Eucharist. The Litany of Penitence and imposition of ashes will be observed in the church at 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 pm.

Feb 22 – Shrove Sunday – Everyone is invited to enjoy brunch in Tuttle Hall following the 11 am service on Feb. 22. Yes, Lent will have begun! But Sundays are in Lent, not of Lent, so come out and enjoy a delicious meal hosted by the GCW.

Mar 1 – Newcomers’ Lunch – New to Grace Church? Interested in learning more about this community and how to get involved? On March 1 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.

Mar 7 – Volunteer Day with The GO Project – The GO Project is an after-school program and longtime ministry partner of Grace Church. Join us on Sat., Mar. 7 from 9:30 am to 12 pm for a volunteer day where we’ll support students as they learn. Contact the Rev. James Morton if you’d like to attend.

Feb 26 – 20s & 30s Pub Theology – The next 20s & 30s Pub Theology will take place on Thursday, February 26 at 6:45 pm in the reception room of the parish house. We’ll explore intersections of the divine and our everyday lives. No advance reading is necessary! Pizza, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. Contact the Rev. James Morton to RSVP.

Every Sunday

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 on 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. Please be sure to collect your children by 12:30 pm.

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 activity bags, 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.

Sunday Evening Adult Formation Classes – Join us on Sunday evenings following 6 pm worship in the chantry where we’ll gather to study, learn, and deepen our faith in a small group setting.

Hymns from Grace – Held in the church during open hours and on the Grace Church in New York Organ Meditations YouTube channel at 4 pm – 45 minutes of favorite hymns, anthems and voluntaries played on the Bicentennial Organ.

Every Week

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. For Zoom access, please contact Michelle Henderson. 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 Grace Church in New York Organ Meditations YouTube channel at 12:20 pm through May 15, 2026. 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ. Everyone is invited!

Wednesday – Women’s Bible Study – 10:30 am on Zoom. Please contact our seminarian, Molly Gouran, for more information.

Wednesday – 6 pm Eucharist in the Chantry

Saturday – Weekend Organ Meditation – Held in the church during open hours and on the Grace Church in New York Organ Meditations YouTube channel at 4 pm through May 31, 2026. 45 minutes of diverse music played on the Bicentennial Organ.

Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN) Monday through Saturday from noon - 5 pm. Sundays 8:30 am - 5 pm (Sunday 6 pm service is in the chantry).

Outreach

February is Soup Month! – Canned soup is a staple that food pantries always need. Help us make a special push to ensure The Red Door Place is well stocked this February. More information about this ministry can be found below.

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 the 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 the Episcopal Relief & Development website to make a donation today.

Parish Life

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 contact 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, contact 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 contact Travis Kennedy.

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 contact 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 contact 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. The upcoming dates are Sunday, Feb 8 at the 9 am service, Saturday, April 4 at the 7 pm Easter Vigil, and Sunday May 24 at the 11 am service. Please try to arrange your family plans around these dates if you are interested in baptism for yourself or a child at Grace Church. Contact the Rector 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 the Safeguarding Our Community page of our website 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 the Assistive Listening System page of our website 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.