Grace Church in New York

On April 14th, we launched the public phase of our capital campaign with the goal of raising $5 million to restore damaged plaster in the church and deteriorating exterior facades of the parish house and rectory, and to repay money that we borrowed from the endowment to install the organ. Yesterday, we were thrilled to announce that we exceeded that goal, raising $5,037,452.65. Thank you very much to everyone who contributed to the campaign. We are excited to begin restorations this summer to preserve Grace for years to come. Thank you for making this possible.

The first summer cookout will be held on Wednesday, June 26th, at 6:30 PM! The clergy will be grilling and there will be burgers, hot dogs, salads, desserts, and drinks for all. The playground will be open for the children. We will also have two more cookouts this summer on July 24th and August 28th!

This Sunday, June 9th, is Choir Recognition Sunday and the annual parish picnic! We will celebrate the choir ministries and the end of the program year. Come enjoy refreshments on the lawn of Huntington Close following the 11 AM service! Suggested donation at the door is $10 a person.

Yesterday, The Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, joined us as preacher and celebrant, and confirmed and received 15 Grace Church parishioners. Thank you for being with us yesterday, Bishop Heyd, and congratulations to Layla, Alexandra, Noelle, Martha, Matthew, Anna, Joshua, Elana, Nora, Abigail, Dakota, Christian, Shingmin, Vivian, and Erik.

It's not too late to sign up for tomorrow's volunteer day at our food ministry partner, The Red Door Place! Please reach out to the Rev. James Morton using the link in our bio if you would like to join the group. There are two available volunteer shifts: 8:30 - 11:45 AM and 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM. We hope to see you there!

The Bishop’s visit is coming up this Sunday, June 2nd. The Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd, will join us at the 9 and 11 AM services, and youth and adults will be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church.

You're invited! The annual parish picnic will be held on the lawn of Huntington Close following the 11 AM service on June 9th. Join us in celebration of the choir ministries of Grace Church and to help bring our program year to a joyous and festive close. Suggested donation at the door is $10 a person.

We are looking forward to the Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd's visit to Grace on Sunday, June 2nd. The Bishop will be with us at the 9 AM and 11 AM services, and youth and adults will be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church.

Yesterday, we celebrated Pentecost with baptisms and an outdoor garden party 🌷 We’re looking forward to these warmer months and the opportunity to spend more time in fellowship with each other outdoors!

The summer season of Bach at Noon will begin next Wednesday, May 22nd, and will continue through September 4th. Over the summer, Bach at Noon will be offered weekly on Wednesdays at 12:20 PM in the church. We invite you to stop in to enjoy 30 minutes of music offered on the Bicentennial Organ. All are welcome!

Our next volunteer day at our food ministry partner, The Red Door Place, is coming up on Saturday, June 1st! We will volunteer in two shifts: 8:30 to 11:45 AM and 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Please contact the Rev. James Morton to join the team!

“Come out, all of you! This is too beautiful to miss.” Thank you to for being with us tonight to shed light on the life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, one of Grace Church’s earliest parishioners, who found a way to bring beauty out of heartache. It was wonderful to see the church filled with so many people interested in learning more about the acclaimed art collector and her family, and their ties to Grace Church. Thank you to , .grace.nyc, and the GCW for making this night possible!

We will continue our Stories in Light series at this week’s Sunday Forum, where the Rev. James Morton will focus on the Mary E. Tillinghast windows, which depict Jacob’s dream from Genesis 28. Tillinghast was one of the first women in the United States to gain notoriety as a stained-glass artist. To learn more, join us at 10 AM in the reception room. Coffee and breakfast treats will be served.

Next Wednesday, we will begin a new series on four short books of the Bible, led by the Revs. Don Waring and Harry Krauss. Give us an hour, and we will give you a working knowledge of two books from the Old Testament (Ruth and Jonah) and two from the New Testament (Titus and Jude). The group will meet weekly at 6:45 PM in the reception room through June 5th. Refreshments will be served.

You're invited to a garden party in the rectory yard on Sunday, May 19th, following the 11 AM service! 🌷 Come for fellowship, treats and beverages, and a presentation about the parish house and rectory windows above us that the capital campaign aims to restore.

The author talk and book signing with Natalie Dykstra, author of Chasing Beauty: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, is just one week away! We're looking forward to learning more about the famed art collector and her family in gilded age New York. Doors open at 6:30 PM, with wine and cheese to follow the talk. Please follow the link in our bio to reserve your ticket to help us plan for the reception.

A stained-glass window in Grace Church, given by Isabella’s parents, is located in the south aisle, amidst the damaged plaster scheduled for restoration this summer. Though the evening is free and open to the public, at this event we hope to raise funds for the project. Sponsored by Saving Grace NYC, the Strand Bookstore, and the GCW (Grace Church Women).

Tomorrow at 10 AM, the Rev. Harry Krauss will lead the Sunday Forum, where we will learn about the history of one of the stained glass windows in the south nave aisle, donated by the family of Isabella Stewart Gardner. Join us in the reception room to learn more. Coffee and breakfast treats will be served.

On Monday, May 13th, we will host an author talk and book signing at the church in collaboration with The Strand 📖 Come out to meet Natalie Dykstra and learn about her new book, Chasing Beauty: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner. Space is limited, so reserve your tickets using the link in our bio. Doors open at 6:30, wine and cheese reception to follow!

Snapshots of the GCW blood drive 📸 Thank you to the GCW, all those who donated to help end the blood emergency, and Elana for sharing her photos!

The Rector has just returned from London, where he was preaching at our companion church, St. George’s, Hanover Square.

As he writes: “The whole visit was a terrific experience that allowed me to glimpse the similarities and differences between the English and American churches. Perhaps the biggest difference is that they are the established church in the land, and we are not. Of course, establishment comes with many complications, but it also opens doors. I was fascinated to watch the Rev. Roderick Leece, the Rector of St. George’s, function as a priest in a way that would be unlikely here in the United States. Everything from officiating at a civic ceremony to walking down the sidewalk in a cassock and cape (and drawing no stares) revealed to me – an outsider – how entwined church and state are in England. It struck me that the Church of England works very hard, with patience and humility, to provide pastoral care to the nation – a nation that isn’t sure it wants or needs pastoral care, until they do, which turns out to be often.”

We look forward to continuing to build community with the people of St. George's. Stay tuned for more information about opportunities to connect!