The Weekly Epistle

The First Sunday After The Epiphany

January 11, 2026

The northern lights were amazing, as the accompanying photo suggests. As we were smiling for the camera, the temperature was about minus-15 degrees Fahrenheit. We were grateful for the snowmobile suits that our guide loaned us to put over the multiple layers of winter gear we had brought along. Bundled up as we were, we still had to keep moving in order to stay warm. It was a bone-chilling cold. Coming from me, that’s really saying something, since I lived for nine years in Sioux Falls, SD, where the winters really mean business. 

One fond memory of the trip is something we had not planned. On Saturday, we had booked a sleeping compartment on an overnight train back to Stockholm. We were set to arrive on Sunday morning, and with luck might even worship at the Church of England parish in the city.

Unfortunately, with little notice, we learned that due to the extreme cold, the train was canceled. To make a long story short, we were able to find two seats on a chartered bus full of Italian, French, and German tourists. We departed from a town called Kiruna at 7:30 pm, and eighteen sleepless hours later arrived in Stockholm.

We were exhausted, but decided to stay up and explore an older portion of the city. Walking through the snow along narrow, cobblestone streets, we came to a charming restaurant called Tradition, where we had a wonderful meal. On the way back to our hotel, we stopped at a bakery and bought one small loaf of bread. Then at 5 pm Stockholm time (11 am NYC time) we tuned into the Grace Church livestream and participated in the service. Using the bread from the bakery, and the red wine from the wet bar in the room, we received the Sacrament. 

It is true that liturgical purists say that no priest can consecrate the elements through the internet. Thus, though the Force is strong in young James Morton, all of his razzle-dazzle at the Grace Church altar would be just so much hocus-pocus for us. But wait, I’m a priest, so I can bless the bread and wine whenever the Spirit inspires me to do so. And so I did. Call it an unfair advantage, if you must, but we truly felt a bond with the Grace Church community thousands of miles away. It is a warm and special memory. 

This week I look forward to being here in person, even driving the bus. We have a big Sunday ahead – not only our usual 9 am, 11 am, and 6 pm services, but Amahl and Night Visitors at 4 pm, and a Spaghetti and Meatball feast at 5 pm. Don’t miss it.

See you in church.

Quick Links

2026 Pledge Campaign

Make your pledge to support the work of Grace Church.

Sermons

9:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II

Preaching:

The Rev. J. Donald Waring



Music:

Patrick Allen, organ

11:00 am Baptism and Holy Eucharist

Preaching:

The Rev. J. Donald Waring

Music:

The Choir of Adults and Girls with High School Singers

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. Megan E. Sanders

Music:

Hymns with Instrumentalists

Parish Life This Sunday

The Sunday Forum – What does it mean to be baptized? Our readings this Sunday bring us straight to the banks of the Jordan River where our Lord was baptized. Yet, you may be wondering what all of this means for you and your own baptismal journey. In the Sunday Forum, the Rev. James Morton will lead this conversation as we explore what the waters of new life invite us to consider for the year ahead. 10 am in the Reception Room and on Zoom. Coffee and breakfast treats served.

Amahl and the Night Visitors – At 4 pm today the Adult Choir will present Gian Carlo Menotti's classic Epiphany drama, Amahl and the Night Visitors. This deeply moving drama, about a shepherd boy and his mother who encounter the Wise Men on their way to Bethlehem, is meant for all ages.  The kids will love it, and the spaghetti supper that follows! 

Spaghetti Supper – At 5 pm in Tuttle Hall, immediately following Amahl.  A splendid feast with meatballs and sauce will be ready for everyone, whether or not you have attended Amahl. A free-will offering will be collected to help defray the cost.  Please RSVP to Travis Kennedy.

Christmas Plants – If you would like to take a Christmas plant with you today, please do so. With just a bit of care, they can help you or a loved one enjoy the spirit of Christmas through the year. Note: many of the plants are in green wicker baskets; please leave these behind for use next year. 

Coffee and Fellowship takes place today in Tuttle Hall following the 9 and 11 am services. 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.

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. 

2026 pledge envelopes are available for those who use them! Pledge envelopes are used by those who make cash donations in the offering plate on Sunday and wish to have the gift applied as a payment towards their pledge. Pledge envelopes are not required for those who make their donations by check. 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 email 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 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 14, 21, 28, 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.   

Jan 17 – Volunteer Day at The Red Door Place – Help us prepare a meal for our neighbors at The Red Door Place at The Church of the Village, our food ministry partner. There are two available shifts, 8:30 to 11:45 am and 11:30 to 2:30 pm. Email the Rev. James Morton if you would like to attend. 

Jan 22 – 20s & 30s Pub Theology – The next 20s & 30s Pub Theology will take place on Thursday, January 22 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. Email the Rev. James Morton to RSVP. 

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.

Jan 25 – Sunday Evening Classes Return – Classes that follow the Sunday 6 pm service will return to the Chantry starting January 25th. Topic and further details to be announced soon.

Feb 1 – 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). 

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 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.

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 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 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 to 5 pm (Sunday 6 pm service is in the chantry).

Outreach

Advent Collections – Thanks To All Who Gave – “Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.’” (Deuteronomy 15:11) Our community at Grace Church contributed hats, gloves, and scarves to the Church of the Ascension Food Pantry, undergarments to the Bowery Mission, toiletries to the Seamen’s Church Institute’s Christmas at Sea project, and toddler toys and clothing to Room to Grow-- all to help provide basic comfort to some of our neediest neighbors in New York City. With special thanks to Cathy Minuse, Henry Stevenson, Sara Queen, and Jason Slibeck for coordinating, sorting, counting and delivering the donations to our recipient organizations. 

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.

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.

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. 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 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.

Clergy:

The Rev. J. Donald Waring

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