The Weekly Epistle - Sunday, March 1, 2026

The Weekly Epistle

The Second Sunday in Lent

March 1, 2026

Dear Friends,

It’s hard to believe, but Sunday begins the month of March, and already it will be week-two of Lent. It occurred to me that it was six years ago at this time – in March of 2020 – when the pandemic was about to turn the world upside down. Although we are well past those days, and life has settled back to normal, it is a new normal to which society is still trying to adjust.

Consider the decline of retail shopping. Economists tell us that the pandemic accelerated trends that were already afoot, but six years ago, when it was unsafe to go out in public, shoppers opted to order nearly everything online. We have not gone back to the old ways. Empty storefronts dot the streets, and delivery workers traveling at breakneck speeds on e-bikes have made being a pedestrian a fearful thing.

Consider remote working. When it was unsafe to come to the office, companies (and churches) shifted to Zoom. Now it is the norm to hold meetings online rather than in person. Corporations have asked: why lease expensive real estate, when employees prefer to work from home? The result is empty office space. The new building directly across the street from Grace Church has struggled to find tenants. It was conceived of before the pandemic, as a place that would be so attractive to employees that they would not want to leave. They would come early, enjoy the amenities, and stay late. Then everything changed.

Many things changed for the church as well. Livestream worship was a godsend in the thick of the pandemic. At the time, I don’t think anyone thought it would become a new norm, but it has. It remains as a wonderful outreach that churches are expected to offer, even as it raises questions about what it means to worship together.

One pre-pandemic ministry of ours that went away was the Parish Choir that would sing at the 9 am Sunday service. It was a small group of volunteers, but the congregation really appreciated their singing, and the singers themselves enjoyed offering their voices in praise to God. Last year we hoped to bring back the Parish Choir with a core of Grace Church High School singers, who would be section leaders for volunteers to follow. Alas, student scheduling conflicts made it difficult to field a choir on a predictable basis. But we aren’t giving up trying.

Beginning this Sunday, and continuing on the first Sunday of every month, a quartet of professional singers will form the core of the Parish Choir. The idea is to make it safe for untrained volunteers to join. If you enjoy singing, and would like to lend your voice to the new Parish Choir, all you need to do is meet Dr. Allen at the choir stalls on the first Sunday of the month at 8:30 am. He and the section leaders will guide you through a brief rehearsal of a lovely Communion anthem that the Parish Choir will sing during the service. We begin this week, and hope it grows from there. An old saying puts it like this: Whoever sings, prays twice. Do consider giving the new Parish Choir a try.

Quick Links

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Services This Sunday

9:00 am A Penitential Order & Holy Eucharist Rite II

Preaching:

The Rev. J. Donald Waring

Music:

Patrick Allen, organ

11:00 am A Penitential Order & 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. Megan E. Sanders

Music:

Hymns with Instrumentalists

Parish Life This Sunday

Coffee and Fellowship take 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.

New Associate Rector(s) – The Rev. Eva Suarez has accepted the call to become a new Associate Rector. Over the next weeks Eva will be easing into the position on a part-time basis and learning the ropes of Grace Church as she manages the transition from one place in her life to the next. She will be with us next Sunday to preach at all three services. Congratulations also to the Rev. James Morton, who was promoted from Assistant to Associate Rector back in January.

9 am Choir – Do you like to sing? Would you like to see the 9 am Parish Choir revived? 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 of 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 on Sundays 3/1, 5/3, and 6/7. More dates TBA.

The Sunday Forum – Wilderness Emotions – The season of Lent recalls the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, contending with Satan’s manifold temptations. All of us experience wilderness times that result in troubling emotions that threaten to consume faith, hope, and love. What resources does the Christian faith give us to contend with anger, anxiety, grief, doubt, and fear? The Sunday Forum in Lent examines these wilderness emotions and others. We continue the series today with the wilderness emotion of doubt, led by the Rev. James Morton. 10 am in the reception room and on Zoom. Breakfast treats served.

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

Lenten Sock Drive – This Lent, Grace is collecting new (unused and unopened) socks to be distributed by The Red Door Place to those in need. At a previous parish day of service at The Red Door Place, one parishioner asked what besides food is most needed and the answer was socks. The Red Door Place is a food ministry, but it tries to meet other client needs as well. On raw, cold days, warm, dry socks are a godsend. The sock drive will culminate at the Maundy Thursday service on April 2.

Souper Bowl Success – The Souper Bowl of Caring is a national effort to use the energy of the Super Bowl for a higher good: collecting dollars for the needy in our local community. At Grace, we use the funds raised to underwrite the cost of our biggest outreach event of the year, the Brown Bag Volunteer Day we do each February. The results for this year are: New England Patriots ($405), Seattle Seahawks ($113), Fantasy Super Bowl 2027 – Jets vs. Giants ($181). Thanks to everyone who donated!

Today & Mar 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.

300 Giving Households! – We have 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. 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! Make your pledge online or place your completed pledge envelope in the offering plate any Sunday.

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.

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

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER

PALM SUNDAY, March 29

9 am & 11 am in the church

Palm Sunday Liturgy and Holy Eucharist

Preacher: The Rev. J. Donald Waring

At 11 am: Music by Gibbons & Guilmant; The Adult Choir

4 p.m. in the church

Musical Offering

Olivet to Calvary – John Henry Maunder

The Adult Choir

6 pm in the chantry

Palm Sunday Liturgy & Holy Eucharist

Preacher: The Rev. James H.B. Morton III

HOLY WEDNESDAY, April 1

6 pm in the chantry

Holy Eucharist and Hymns

Preacher: Ms. Molly Gouran, Seminarian

MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 2

7 pm in the church

Holy Eucharist, Stripping of the Altar, Ingathering of New Socks for the Shelters

Preacher: The Rev. Eva Suarez

Music by Duruflé, Farrant, Tallis & others; The Adult Choir

GOOD FRIDAY, April 3

12–3 pm in the church

The Seven Last Words of Jesus

Preachers: Ms. Molly Gouran, The Rev. James H.B. Morton III, The Very Rev. Harry Krauss, The Rev. Eva Suarez, The Rev. Megan Sanders, The Rev. J. Donald Waring, and The Rev. Robbie Pennoyer

HOLY SATURDAY, April 4

10:30 am–Noon in the chantry

Easter Eve Walk

Children ages 4–12 and their families are invited to experience the Passion and

Resurrection through interactive storytelling, crafts, lunch, and an Easter egg hunt.

RSVP to Molly Gouran.

7 pm in the church

The Great Vigil of Easter

Holy Baptism & Eucharist

Preacher: The Rev. James H.B. Morton III

Music by Byrd, Hancock & Palestrina; The Adult Choir

EASTER DAY, April 5

9 am in the church

Festive Choral Eucharist

Preacher: The Rev. J. Donald Waring

Music: The Combined Choirs of Grace Church

11 am in the church

Festive Choral Eucharist

Preacher: The Rev. J. Donald Waring

Music by Batten, Byrd, Noyon, Hancock, Parker & others

The Combined Choirs of Grace Church with Brass & Tympani

4 pm in the church

Organ Music for Easter Day

Music by Bach, Handel, Pachelbel & Widor

6 pm in the church

Festive Holy Eucharist & Easter Hymns

Preacher: The Rev. J. Donald Waring

Mar 4, 11, 18 & 25 – Favorite Psalms – A new Wednesday evening study will continue through Lent. We will look at favorite Psalms, including an understanding of the text, and how they have been put to use in Anglican worship. 6:45 pm in the reception room. A Lenten supper of soup, bread, and beverages will be served

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.

Mar 14 – Beverly Banks Memorial Service – At 11 am we will gather in the church for a memorial Eucharist in thanksgiving for the life of Beverly Banks, who died on February 14. The Rev. Harry Krauss will offer the homily, and a reception will follow in the reception room.

Apr 4 – Easter Eve Walk – Children and families are welcome to join us on Holy Saturday, April 4, from 10:30 am–12 pm, as we experience the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus through interactive storytelling, crafts, lunch, and an Easter egg hunt. Activities are designed for kids ages 3–10, but the whole family is welcome. Volunteer to help! We need donations of candy for hiding in eggs, white hard-boiled eggs for dying, snacks, and party decorations, plus a handful of volunteers to help. Please sign up with Molly Gouran.

Apr 11 – Ellen Maddock Funeral – At 11 am we will gather in the church for the funeral Eucharist of Ellen Maddock, who died on January 27. The Committal will be in the columbarium, and a reception will follow in Tuttle Hall.

Apr 12, 19 & 26, May 3 & 17 – Adult Confirmation – For all adult seekers and returners who would like to explore Confirmation or Reception in the Episcopal Church, five sessions will meet in Eastertide with the Revs. Harry Krauss and Don Waring. Sundays April 12, 19, 26, May 3, and 17 at 12:30 pm in the reception room. Topics will include the Bible, the Episcopal Church, the Sacraments, Prayer and Worship, and Christian Living. Bishop Heyd will be here for Confirmation on Sunday, May 31. To sign up, please contact the Rector.

Apr 12, 19 & 26, May 3 & 17 – Youth Confirmation – For youth in 7th grades and up who would like to explore Confirmation in the Episcopal Church, five sessions will meet in Eastertide with the Rev. James Morton, the Rev. Eva Suarez, and our seminarian, Molly Gouran. We’ll meet Sundays April 12, 19, 26, May 3, and 17 from 4–5:30 pm in the reception room. Topics will include the Bible, the Episcopal Church, the Sacraments, Prayer and Worship, and Christian Living. Bishop Heyd will be here for Confirmation on Sunday, May 31. To sign up, please contact the Rev. James Morton.

Apr 18 – Community Blood Drive – NY Blood Center is partnering with Grace Church for a community blood drive on Saturday, April 18 from 10 am–4 pm. Can I donate? Questions or concerns regarding eligibility should be directed to the NYBC Eligibility office at (800) 688-0900, Monday–Friday from 9 am–5 pm. Those who are ineligible or those who prefer not to donate can still help by spreading the word to recruit donors! Sign up here. Registration is preferred but walk-ins are welcome! Sponsored by the Grace Church Women.

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 NYC Vimeo 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. 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 NYC Vimeo 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 NYC Vimeo 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 12–5 pm. Sundays 8:30 am–5 pm (Sunday 6 pm service is in the chantry).

Outreach

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 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.