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The Weekly Epistle
The Second Sunday After The Epiphany
January 18, 2026
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Dear Friends,
Over the past few months, we have been trying to put the fun back in fundraising. To be sure, raising money in the church is not something people usually associate with the word “fun.” Churches cloak their appeals in mysterious, ecclesiastical language, especially the word “stewardship.” They try to avoid shame and blame, and stress instead caring and sharing. It is not about duty, but gratitude. The appeals may be theologically correct, but the case could be made that they are also boring.
It is true, the theological rationale of pledging, or making an outright gift, is that every year it is our way to give thanks to God for all the blessings of this life. But the fact remains, the nitty-gritty of the annual campaign is that it funds the ministry of Grace Church in the coming year. Back in November, I mused that we have a barrier that I’d like to see us break through in 2026. Humankind loves to set goals and strive towards them. In 1947,
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no one had broken the sound barrier until Chuck Yeager eclipsed 767 mph in some sort of rocket plane. In 1954, no runner had broken the 4-minute mile until Roger Bannister clocked in at 3:59.4. Likewise, in my time at Grace Church, never have we quite reached 300 giving households in any annual campaign. It is time to break that barrier and never look back. As of today, we stand at 292. We are right on the brink.
How have we done it? By having some silly fun. As we reach milestones on the march to 300, I’ve awarded prizes to the parishioners whom we have identified as pledgers number 100, 150, 200, and 250. The prizes have been a 3-pound canned ham, a 5-pound canned ham, a 10-pound spiral cut ham, and 13 pounds of smoked sausage. I leave it to you figure out why all the pork. Indeed, one parishioner quipped that we are conducting not an annual, but a “hammual” campaign. I suspect that we will reach our goal in the next two weeks, either on 1/25 or 2/1. What the prize will be is still under consideration. If you haven’t yet made your pledge, you can do so by clicking here. Maybe you will be the winner.
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Nancy Walcott receives her prize as the 250th pledger to the annual campaign: 13-pounds of smoked sausage. Nancy donated every link of it to the Red Door Place.
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In the meantime, we live in a world that seems to be in disarray. Trouble is brewing on the streets of America, across international borders, and on the high seas. What can any of us do? The nation pauses this weekend to remember the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was one person who made an enormous difference. We, too, can make a difference, as individuals and as a church empowered by the Spirit of God. On Saturday a hearty band of parishioners will gather at the Red Door Place to help prepare a meal for our neighbors in need. You can always bring canned goods for the Red Door Place, and other supplies for local agencies of mercy that Grace Church supports, and leave them in the baskets in the narthex. Every act of generous giving can make a positive difference. Do something generous this weekend, and have some fun doing 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 III
Music:
Patrick Allen, organ
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11:00 am Morning Prayer and Sermon
Preaching:
The Rev. James H.B. Morton III
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 III
Music:
Hymns with Instrumentalists
| | The Sunday Forum is on recess for the holiday weekend. | 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. | 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 (Feb 1, see details below, under “Coming Soon.”) 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. | 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. | 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 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 via email or phone (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 right on the brink of 300 giving households. Who will be the 300th giver? 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. | | Centering Prayer – Grace Church will be closed on Monday, January 19, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, but our Centering Prayer practice will continue at the usual time, 12:15, over Zoom. Click here for the link. | 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. |
| A New Website for Grace Church – By the end of this month we will launch a redesigned website. It will be at the same address as always, and contain all the information and links you need, and more. Stay tuned for launch details. Thank you to our communications committee members, Ansley Galjour, Matt Davis, Doug Elllis, and Noah Orlando, for your guidance in bringing the new Grace Church website to life. | Jan 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 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 at jmorton@gracechurchnyc.org to RSVP. | Jan 25 – The Sunday Forum – The Rev. Dr.,Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” critiques white moderates for favoring a superficial “negative peace” of order over the disruptive pursuit of justice during the civil rights crisis. Likening himself to the Old Testament prophets, Amos and Hosea, Dr. King brought together suffering, outrage, and conviction to remind all of us that there are times where we have to stand up for moral principles in extreme situations. Join parishioner and NYU Professor Nicholas Birns as we look at this letter which still challenges and motivates us today. 10 am in the reception room, coffee and breakfast treats served. | 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). | Feb 1 – 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 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 9:00 to 12:00 pm on Sat., Feb. 7 to pack bag lunches for our food ministry partner, The Red Door Place, to distribute. All ages welcome! Email the Rev. James Morton if you’d like to attend. | | |
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. | | 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 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 to visit the church in-person or join the livestream on YouTube. | | 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 | | 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 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. | | 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 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 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 click here 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 our website using the QR code 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:
Jennifer Turner
Beverly Banks
Eric Overmyer
Bob Giordani
John Franklin
Lyan Isamael
Griffin Myers
J.J. Okash
In Our Continuing Prayers:
Ruth Poon
Ben Bennett
Vivienne Hosbein
Teresa Sowinski
Erin Thanik
Phillip Saylor
Claire Wesselman
Ronnye Brickous
The Episcopal Church in Haiti
William Dobi
For Those Who Have Died:
Regina Liston
Bishop John Gaisford
Barbara Powell
Leith Adams
To add a name to the prayer list,
please email the Rector.
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