The Weekly Epistle

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Dear Friends,

In my sermon last week, I noted the numerous titles we have attached to February 2. Not only was it the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, but principally the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple, a Christian feast day that used to be called the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In some circles, February 2 is also known as Candlemas, and of course, outside the church it is Groundhog’s Day. 

Here we are on the brink of another Sunday, and though February 9th does not come with as many titles as February 2, I can think of at least three: the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Super Bowl Sunday, and Choir Festival Sunday. Bear with me for a brief word about each one.

First, the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany. The signature story of Epiphany (January 6) is how the star of Bethlehem guided the wise men to the place where Jesus was born. They saw the light, and then carried the light of Christ with them into the world. Likewise, our mission is to shine light into some of the world’s dark or obscure places. Some of these may be right under our noses all the time. Take, for example, our worship. For many, the Book of Common Prayer would fall into the category of obscure. Thus, at the Sunday Forum during these weeks between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday (the next big day on the calendar, by the way), we are trying to shine some light on the various components of our liturgies. This week I’ll be talking about the different prayers we use to bless the bread and wine of Communion, and why. We’ll keep it as simple and real as what page to find them on in the BCP, and how each one highlights a different aspect of Christian faith. 10 am in the reception room, with coffee and breakfast treats.

Second, it is also Super Bowl Sunday. At 6:30 pm the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will be going against each other, just as they did two years ago. Yes, I will watch some of the game. But the truth is, I really don’t care who wins. If the Chiefs win, it will be their third Super Bowl victory in a row, something no other team has done. Then again, perhaps, you’ve had enough of the Chiefs. If the Eagles win, the underdog will have triumphed. Then again, every Eagles’ win highlights just how far the New York Giants have fallen. So who cares? You can care by playing the Souper Bowl of Caring. At coffee hour you will find a number of pots, by which you can vote for your desired outcome: Chiefs, Eagles, the Halftime Show, or a Giants-Jets Super Bowl in 2026. We vote with our wallets, and all the proceeds go the Red Door Place, to help feed our neighbors in need. Read below for more information. 

Third, and finally, Choir Festival Sunday. The choristers of Grace Church have been working hard all week with guest conductor, Walden Moore. At 4 pm on Sunday they will offer a wonderful Choral Evensong to showcase their progress in perfecting our praises of God. A brief but tasty reception will follow in Tuttle Hall, where you can have one more chance of playing the Souper Bowl of Caring. Come out and support the choristers. You will be home in plenty of time for that other event, also known as the Super Bowl – that is, if you care. 

Let’s shine some light.  See you in church.

Quick Links

2025 Pledge Campaign

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Sermons

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9:00 am Holy Eucharist

Preaching:

The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger

Music:

Dr. Patrick Allen, organ

11:00 am Morning Prayer

Preaching:

The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger

Music:

The Adult Choir

Dr. Patrick Allen, organ

This service is video-streamed every week. Access via any of our live channels. Grace Church Livestream, YouTubeLive, Vimeo, FacebookLive

4:00 pm Choral Evensong

Music:

Special Choral Musical Offerings by the Grace Church Choirs

Dr. Patrick Allen, organ

6:00 pm Holy Eucharist

in the Chantry

Preaching:

The Rev. Megan Sanders

Music:

Hymns with Instrumentalists

Coffee and Fellowship takes place today in Tuttle Hall following the 9 am and 11 am services. Come enjoy coffee, conversation, and a variety of treats that have been provided.   

The Sunday Forum: The Shape of the Liturgy – Through the Sundays after the Epiphany, the Sunday Forum will explore the various parts of the Book of Common Prayer that shape our worship services. This week the Rector will give an overview of the Eucharistic Prayers, and next week the Rev. Roderick Leece, Rector of St. George’s, Hanover Square London, will speak on the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, which he uses every week (2/23). The series will conclude on 3/2 will a helpful guide on how to receive Communion. 10 am in the reception room, where breakfast treats are served.     

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!  

Feb 9 – Choral Evensong will be sung at 4 pm by the combined Choristers of Grace Church. The service will culminate a week of hard work with guest director Walden Moore, Music Director emeritus of Trinity Church on the Green in New Haven, CT. A light reception follows in Tuttle Hall at 5 pm. 

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.     

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 welcome.  

2025 pledge envelopes are available for those who use them! Pledge envelopes are used for those who wish to make cash donations in the offering plate on Sunday and have the gift applied as a payment on their pledge. Pledge envelopes are not required for those who make their donations by check. If you received 2024 pledge envelopes, your 2025 envelopes will be available for collection by the baptismal font. If you did not receive pledge envelopes last year but would like to receive them this year, please email Travis. 

2025 Annual Pledge Campaign: “And I Mean to be One Too” – On November 3rd, we launched the 2025 Annual Pledge Campaign at all three services. All parishioners and friends of Grace Church are asked to support the work of Grace Church by making an annual pledge. Some will turn in the pledge cards received by mail or found in the pews. Others will begin a time of prayerful reflection to consider what God is calling them to do. 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 today, or return it to the parish office as soon as you can. You may also make your pledge at online here: 2025 Pledge Form | Grace Church in New York. (You have all of 2025 to make your payments!) Questions about pledging? Email Travis Kennedy or call him at 212-254-2005.

20s30s Zoom Bible Study – A group of folks in their 20s & 30s is forming to choose a time for a Bible Study over Zoom during the season of Lent. If you’re interested, please email the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger for more details.  

Mar 8 – 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. 8 from 9:30 am to 12 pm for a volunteer day where we’ll support students as they learn reading and math. Email the Rev. James Morton if you’d like to attend.    

Mar 9, 16, 23, 30, and Apr 6 – Seekers & Returners – A class for anyone who is looking for a church community or coming back to one after a time away. We will delve into the tenets of our faith and have a place for frank questions, and, hopefully, some answers! The Rev. Julia Offinger will lead the group over five Sundays in the Reception Room, using Rowan Williams’s lecture series “Being Christian” as our guide. This is a great class for newcomers or those considering baptism or membership. Sundays at 12:30pm (after the 11am service) in the Reception Room.   

Mar 9, 16, 23, 30, and Apr 6 – Preparing for Resurrection: A Lenten Study – The season of Lent offers the opportunity to slow down and ponder anew Christianity's greatest claim, which is that we follow a God who is both crucified and risen. Using poetry and art to complement this study, together we will explore this claim further through six of the lessons appointed for the Great Vigil of Easter. Led by the Rev. James Morton, this class will meet in the Chantry on Sunday evenings immediately following the 6 pm service. No advanced reading is necessary to participate. Refreshments served.  

March 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, and 16 – 1 Corinthians for Everyone – During the Wednesdays we will embark on a Bible Study of the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians. Using the study guide prepared by the Anglican Biblical scholar, the Rt. Rev. N.T. Wright, the sessions will be led by the Rector and Associate Rector. 6:45 pm in the reception room. Refreshments are served.   

April 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25 – Confirmation for Youth and Adults – Sign up to join Spring confirmation classes culminating with the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool’s visit to Grace on Sunday, June 1 at 11am. For youth in 7th grades and up, we’ll meet from 5pm-7pm on Sundays this Spring, with a couple service projects and worship opportunities thrown in. For adults, we’ll meet for lunch after the 11am service from 12:30-2pm. Sign up ASAP by emailing the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger 

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. 

Children’s Chapel – During the 11 am service children ages 4-12 are invited to start church with their parents in the pews and then join Father James and Mother Julia in the chantry for a time of learning and prayer. Children will return during the announcements. 

Nursery Care – The nursery (next to the Sunday School classroom, across Tuttle Hall) is open from 8:30 am – 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.  

Coffee Hour – Coffee and fellowship generally takes 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 Meditation YouTube Channel at 4:00 pm - 45-minutes of favorite hymns, anthems and voluntaries played on the Bicentennial Organ.  

Monday – Centering Prayer (over Zoom) – 12:15-12:45 pm – 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. Zoom Centering Prayer For questions about Zoom access, email the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger

Tuesday-Friday – Bach at Noon – Held in the church during open hours and on the Organ Meditation YouTube Channel at 12:20 pm - 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ.

Wednesday – Women’s Bible Study – 10:30 am on Zoom with The Rev. Julia Offinger. Contact Julia for Zoom instructions. 

Wednesday – 6 pm Eucharist in the Chantry 

Saturday – Weekend Organ Meditations – Held in the church during open hours and on the Organ Meditation YouTube Channel at 4:00 pm - 45-minutes of diverse music played on the Bicentennial Organ. 

Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN) Monday - Saturday from noon – 5 pm.  

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 (or Other Reusable) Bags Needed – The Red Door Place is also seeking donations of Fresh Direct or other reusable bags to support its ministries. If you’d like to donate bags, you can place these 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 # 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. To make your donation today, click here.

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 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. 

Wear your nametags! 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 email the Rev. James Morton and he will add you to our email list. 

Baptism at Grace Church – There 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. Julia Offinger 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. Julia Offinger.  

Restrooms are available on the 1st floor of the parish house, through the north aisle door near the baptismal font. 

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 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 webpage where you will 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. For information on how to connect to our FM radio transmitter, visit this webpage. If you already have your listening equipment, tune in to frequency 87.6 mHZ on your FM dial. 

Give Via Venmo – If you don’t have cash on you, but still want to give to Grace Church, you can Venmo your donation by searching for our page (@GraceChurchNYC) or by scanning the QR code below using the camera on your phone. Use the “What’s it for?” line to tell us the specific project or program you want to support. 

Send your photos of milestone events for possible publication in the Weekly Epistle to Travis B. Kennedy, Membership and Development Manager.

Clergy:

The Rev. J. Donald Waring

The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger

The Rev. James H.B. Morton III

Music:

Dr. Patrick Allen, organ

You’ll find videos of past organ meditations on YouTube.

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GRACE CHURCH IN NEW YORK

www.gracechurchnyc.org

212-254-2000