The Weekly Epistle - Sunday, May 17, 2026

The Sunday After Ascension Day

May 17, 2026

Dear Friends,

The Rev. Eva N. Suarez is no longer the newest member of the Grace Church staff!

On Friday, May 1, Pam Slighter joined the team to become our first ever Director of Buildings and Grounds. For as long as anyone can remember, Grace Church and Grace Church School have shared a Director of Facilities. The arrangement made sense while both church and school operations were contained to one campus between Broadway, 10th Street, and 4th Avenue. But the job was becoming too big for one person to manage.

In 2013 GCS opened the high school division at Cooper Square, adding more responsibility to the position of Facilities Manager. Also, the increasing age of our buildings demands that they require special care. Grace Church alone, apart from the school, operates seven buildings. On Broadway it is the chantry, the church, the parish house, and the rectory. Around the block we have 80, 100, and 102 4th Avenue. All of these buildings date from the 19th century, and all are in full use every day in the 21st century.

The reality is – as all of the scaffolding you see will attest – Grace Church needs its own, full-time Director of Buildings and Grounds. We are excited to have found Pam to fill the position. Pam has a deep resume in building and project management. Most recently, she worked on the real estate team of a large, NYC social service agency, where she led the efforts to maintain 1,200 units of affordable senior housing and commercial areas. Concerning her work at Grace Church, Pam writes: “This week, I’m enjoying seeing - for the first time – this very beautiful set of buildings. I’m looking forward to finding, fixing and following up on building infrastructure issues – leaks, cracks, odors, and floods.” We have all of those issues and more, but by God’s grace and Pam’s efforts, we will finally bring them under control.

Our newest team member,

Pam Slighter, Director of Buildings and Grounds

This coming Sunday is one of the two weekends of the year when Tuttle Hall is not available to us, due to setting the stage for the GCS Middle School play. Nursery Care will be in the Music Room (follow the signs – it’s actually closer to the church). 9 am coffee hour will be in the reception room, and morph into the Sunday Forum, where I’ll be talking about the meaning of Ascension Day. The weather is supposed to be lovely, so fellowship after the 11 am service will be on the lawn of Huntington Close, with the playground available for the children. Finally, the Rev. Eva N. Suarez – who is now a veteran on the Grace Church staff – will preach an “uplifting” sermon for Ascension Sunday at the 9 and 11 am services. Don’t miss it.

See you in church.

This Sunday

9 am

Holy Eucharist Rite II

Preaching: The Rev. Eva N. Suarez

Music: Hymns with Organ

11 am

Morning Prayer Rite I

Preaching: The Rev. Eva N. Suarez

Music: The Combined Choirs

Worship Online

6 pm

Holy Eucharist Rite II

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

Music: Hymns with Instrumentalists

Adults

The Sunday Forum

The Ascension of Jesus

May 17

10 – 10:45 am

In the Book of Acts (1:1-11), we read that forty days after Easter, Jesus ascended into heaven in the sight of his disciples. What might have happened during this final appearance of the risen Jesus? What spiritual yearning in us might it address? The Rector will lead a conversation in the reception room and on Zoom following the coffee hour that will take place in the same room. Breakfast treats are served.

Adult Confirmation and Reception

May 17

12:30 – 1:30 pm

For all adult seekers and returners who would like to explore Confirmation, Baptism, or Reception in the Episcopal Church, five sessions will meet in Eastertide with the Revs. Harry E. Krauss and Don Waring. 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.

Canterbury Downtown

Sundays through May 24

6 – 8:30 pm

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. All college students are welcome.

Children, Youth, and Families

Youth Confirmation

May 17

4 – 5 pm

For youth in 7th grade 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 N. Suarez, and our seminarian, Molly Gouran. Topics will follow the same outline as the adult class, described above, and culminate with the Bishop’s visit on May 31.

Nursery Care

Sundays

8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Nursery care will be held in the Music Room this Sunday.

The Music Room is located just past the large bench across from the side door to Tuttle Hall. Please follow the signs in the parish house hallway. The nursery 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

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.

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.

Coming Soon

Worship

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.

Bishop Visitation

May 31

9 am – 1 pm

The Rt. Rev. Matthew F. Heyd, Bishop of New York, will visit us on Sunday, May 31 at 9 and 11 am. At this time, youth and adults will be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church.

Prayer

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.

Join on Zoom

Virtual Women's Bible Study

May 20

10:30 am – 12 pm

The Women’s Bible Study meets weekly dring the program year to discuss the Bible, engage in lively discussion, pray together, and build a community of support and learning. Please contact our Seminarian, Molly Gouran, for more information about joining.

Summer Cookouts

Wednesdays

June 24, July 22, August 26

Mark your calendars! We will gather at 6:30 pm on Huntington Close. The clergy will be grilling, 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.

Music

Bach at Noon, Weekend Organ Meditations, and Hymns from Grace are all livestreamed on our Grace Church NYC Vimeo channel, where listeners can also enjoy recordings of previously streamed programs.

Grace Church NYC Vimeo Channel

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.

Weekend Organ Meditations

Saturdays through May 30

4 – 4:45 pm

We offer Weekend Organ Meditations on The Bicentennial Organ from 4–4:45 pm on Saturdays during the program year, featuring the diverse repertoire of the pipe organ. The 2025–2026 season continues through May 30, 2026.

Hymns from Grace

Sundays through May 31

4 – 4:45 pm

We offer Hymns from Grace on The Bicentennial Organ from 4–4:45 pm on Sundays during the program year, featuring favorite hymns, anthems and voluntaries. The 2025–2026 season continues through May 31, 2026.

Choral Evensong

May 19

6 – 6:30 pm

Choral Evensong is offered every Tuesday at 6 pm while Grace Church School is in session. This gentle evening prayer office lasts about thirty minutes and is sung by the combined Boy and Girl Junior Choristers with Senior Mentors. It is very child friendly.

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.

Annual Parish Picnic and Choir Recognition Sunday

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 help bring our program year to a joyous and festive close. Suggested donation at the door is $10 a person.

Adults

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

May 20

6:45 – 8 pm

The Wednesday Evening Bible Study continues at 6:45 pm in the reception room. Cheese, bread, and beverages are provided as together we seek a deeper understanding of the Scriptures. For the next few Wednesdays, we will be examining passages that pertain to the relationship between Jesus and his mother, Mary.

20s & 30s Pub Theology

June 2

6:45 – 8:30 pm

The next 20s & 30s Pub Theology will take place 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. Contact the Rev. James Morton to RSVP.