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The Second Sunday After Pentecost
June 7, 2026
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It’s hard to believe, but this coming Sunday is the day when we celebrate the finale of another program year at the church. The choristers will soon depart for their Parisian concert tour, and they will not return to our chancel until September. The Sunday Forum is now on recess, and today’s edition of the Weekly Epistle will be the last “weekly” for the summer. You will receive a monthly Epistle for July and August. Indeed, church life begins to move at a welcome, slower pace, but not before a big celebration this week at the 11 am service, when we thank the choirs for a year of faithful work. Then we move outside to Huntington Close for a bountiful feast of pulled pork sandwiches, BBQ chicken, salads, desserts, and beverages for all. Bring your sunglasses. We are optimistic about the weather.
Think not that summer life in Christ grinds to a halt at Grace Church. Far from it! Our worship schedule will continue unabated: Sundays at 9 and 11 am and 6 pm; Wednesdays at 6 pm. For those who are traveling, the livestream of the 11 am service continues. Also, we have three summer cookouts planned: Wednesdays June 24, July 22, and August 26, all at 6:30 pm in Huntington Close.
Liturgically, on Sunday the church shifts into what is called “Ordinary Time.” By ordinary, we do not mean dull or routine. The word comes from ordinal, or the ordered number of Sundays. The church calendar has two periods of Ordinary Time: the weeks between Epiphany and Lent, and then the long stretch of weeks between Trinity Sunday and Advent Sunday. It is supposed to be a time when we focus on the growth of our faith in Jesus. Thus, the color for Ordinary Time is green, for growth. Get it? This Sunday you will see a new set of green altar dressings, or “paraments,” in the church and chantry to inspire our growth. They are the gift of a parishioner in memory of loved ones, and complement our other sets of paraments: white for Christmas, Easter, and festive occasions; blue for Advent. Would anyone like to donate a purple set for Lent? If so, let me know 😊.
Finally, what an amazing Sunday it was last week when Bishop Heyd Confirmed and Received our largest class of youth and adults in recent memory. Tomorrow at the Cathedral I will present one more Grace Church parishioner who could not be here last week, bringing our total up to 31. Enjoy the picture, below. Not everyone made it in time to say cheese (for those who are counting), but look at all those smiling faces.
See you in church.
| | Celebrating Trinity Sunday with the Rt. Rev. Matthew F. Heyd, Bishop of New York, and our largest class of Confirmands in over 20 years! | | | | |
Preaching: The Rev. J. Donald Waring
Music: Hymns with Organ
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Preaching: The Rev. J. Donald Waring
Music: The Combined Choirs
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Preaching: The Rev. Megan E. Sanders
Music: Hymns with Instrumentalists
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New Green Altar Dressings
The new green paraments on the altars and pulpit are given in memory of the Rev. H. John McDougall (1931-1994), chaplain at Lakefield College School in Lakefield, Ontario and St. David’s School for Boys, Squamish, British Columbia and also an assisting priest at St. John the Divine Anglican Church in Squamish. They are intended to complement the festal white set given in memory of his younger sister, Janet Niven Johnston (née McDougall) (1935-2016).
| | This is Molly Gouran’s last day at Grace Church. Molly has been a treasure of a seminarian, diving deep into all things Grace Church from directing the Christmas pageant to leading Women’s Bible Study to facilitating youth confirmation classes. Come celebrate Molly at the parish picnic as we give thanks for a wonderful year! | | | | |
June 7
12:15 – 1:30 pm
Everyone is invited to enjoy our annual parish picnic on the lawn of Huntington Close following the 11 am service! Join us in celebration of the choir ministries of Grace Church and of our incredible seminarian, Molly Gouran, and help bring our program year to a joyous and festive close. Suggested donation at the door is $10 per person.
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Parish Choir
June 7
8:30 – 10 am
Do you like to sing? On the first Sunday of the month during the program year, a professional quartet of singers will form the core of the Parish Choir, making it easier for volunteers to join in, even when they aren’t confident in their own musical abilities. There is safety in numbers! If you’d like to give the Parish Choir a try, meet Dr. Allen in the choir pews for a brief rehearsal at 8:30 am. More dates TBA.
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Christian Formation
June 7 & 21
7 – 8 pm
Please note: The final meeting of this class will now be June 21.
Back in the fall, we explored the works of George Herbert, one of the great 17th century poet-priests. Herbert’s poems embrace every shade of the spiritual life, from love and closeness, to anger and despair, to reconciliation and hope. In this three-week extension of the class from the fall, this course will employ Herbert’s poetry to help us relate to God in new and even surprising ways. Led by the Rev. James Morton, we will meet in the chantry on Sunday evenings immediately following the 6 pm service. No advance reading is necessary to participate. Refreshments served.
| | Children, Youth, and Families | | | | |
Nursery Care
Sundays
8:30 am – 12:30 pm
The nursery 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 the Rev. Eva N. Suarez for more information.
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Children's Chapel
Sundays
11 am – 12:15 pm
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.
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Activity Corner
Sundays
8:30 am – 12:30 pm
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.
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Weekday Worship
Wednesdays
6 – 6:45 pm
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.
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Centering Prayer
Mondays
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. 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.
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Bach at Noon Summer Schedule
Wednesdays
12:20 – 12:50 pm
Bach at Noon is offered Wednesdays on The Bicentennial Organ through September 9. Stop into the church at any time during this 30-minute meditation or join the livestream to enjoy a diverse selection from the works of J.S. Bach.
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June 24, July 22, August 26
6:30 pm
Mark your calendars for this year's summer cookouts on Huntington Close! The clergy will be grilling, the GCW will serve ice cream, the playground will be open for the children, and we’ll have burgers, hot dogs, salads, desserts, and drinks for all. Join us rain or shine! We will move inside to Tuttle Hall if need be.
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June 28
2 – 7 pm
Grace Church will march with The Episcopal Diocese of New York in The NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 28. Our exact step-off time is TBD, but we anticipate walking sometime between 2 and 7 pm. Space is limited, so stay tuned for more information about registration coming soon! We will have pride flags and bubbles to go around, and we will be looking for a few parishioners to carry a Grace Church banner and hand out swag. We can't wait to march with you!
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In Our Immediate Prayers:
Griffin Myers
J.J. Okash
Bobbie Hoopes
Steve Townsend
Erin Thanik
John Ghent
In Our Continuing Prayers:
Ruth Poon
Ben Bennett
Vivienne Hosbein
Teresa Sowinski
Phillip Saylor
Claire Wesselmann
Ronnye Brickous
The Episcopal Church in Haiti
William Dobi
For Those Who Have Died:
Alan Blanchard
To add a name to the prayer list,
please contact the Rector.
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