Your pets and their support staff are invited for a blessing at noon this Sunday for our annual Saint Francis Animal Blessing.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Feast of the Dedication of the Church
Morning Prayer 7:45 am
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Procession and Solemn Mass 10 am
Sunday, September 12, 2010
The Solemnity of the Holy Cross (observed)
Morning Prayer 7:45 am
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Procession and Solemn Mass 10 am
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Walk-In Dinner
Thursday, September 2, 2010
The Assembly At Worship—The Assembly At Work
Who prays the Collect of the Day, or the Prayers of the People, or the Eucharistic Prayer?
I ask this question because on August 29, while I was in St. Louis, I worshiped at Christ Church Cathedral—the place in which Lisa was baptized, we were both confirmed and married and I was ordained both the diaconate and to the priesthood. And after Mass I was talking to someone who told me that he was in the audience at my ordination.
It is always shocking for me to hear the congregation referred to as 'the audience.' It happens more often than one would think and the use of this word gives expression to an unspoken, but deeply felt sense that liturgy is about people 'up there near the altar' (who are the focus of liturgy in this model) performing for people 'down there' in the congregation—thus the mistaken term audience.
But that's not at all what the liturgy is about. The word liturgy means something like 'the work of the people,' or a public work done by a whole group of people for the sake of the community in which they find themselves. Liturgy is the public work of the whole assembled people of God, called together by God, to offer praise and thanks to the Father, as the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. The work of worship is done by all of us. (This is why at the end of this insert we list Ministers of the Assembly rather than Participants as many parishes do—everyone in the room participates in worship and the Ministers of the Assembly facilitate our shared worship).
Many in the Church have advocated various remedies for the mistake of thinking that some people perform the liturgy for the sake of an audience. The reformers insisted on worshipping in the language of the people rather than Latin for instance—a step in the right direction. Recent approaches to dealing with the performer/audience problem usually recommend more spoken parts in the liturgy, an increase in congregational singing, and added ministers like chalice bearers, acolytes, lectors, etc. All of this falls under the general description active participation, and it's fine as far as it goes.
If the larger issue is not addressed, however, active participation can actually contribute to the performer(s)/audience distinction and might become, in fact, audience participation (which is exactly what one woman at a former parish admitted to calling it when she first moved from the Methodist Church to the Episcopal Church). Adding singing and speaking parts might just reinforce the sense of clergy as performers and the congregation as a passive audience that really only participates in the liturgy when the clergy hand over the 'talking stick' (or the 'singing stick' as may be the case). And multiplying the number of ministers (acolytes, lectors, etc.) may simply swell the ranks of the 'performers' and make the 'audience' smaller. In both of these cases, the congregation is still functionally an audience.
What is needed in addition to more active participation is a redefinition of what it means to actively participate. Thus my original question: Who prays the Collect of the Day, or the Prayers of the People, or the Eucharistic Prayer? The answer is the whole assembly. A priest acts as a leader, giving voice to the Collect of the Day and the Eucharistic Prayer, and preferably a deacon or a lay person leads—gives voice to—the Prayers of the People. BUT... we all say Amen because we, as one Body, even if we don't all use our mouths to do so, pray these prayers together. They are the prayers of the assembly, the whole Body of Christ, addressing God our Father.
Does it matter whether the congregation thinks of itself as an audience or not? Yes, for many reasons. One important reason is that the performer/audience model is focused inward, that is, on the performing clergy and other ministers, and on the effect (spiritual, emotional, psychological or otherwise) that they have on those who come to experience the show (which, by the way, encourages a consumer mentality—a topic for a later issue of Grace Notes).
But worship is not a show, and its focus is neither 'performance' nor its subjective effect on an 'audience.' Its focus is God. Worship originates from outside the community (it is God who calls us to worship) and is also directed outward to God for the Life of the World. This is what it means to be a priestly people in worship.
But perhaps the most important reason this matters is that liturgy shows us who we are. The performer/audience model of worship suggests that it is the clergy who are really the Church and that ministry is solely the work of the ordained. Let us be clear: the Church is not divided into ministers and non-ministers. Ordination sets one aside for a particular kind of ministry, but it is Baptism that makes one a minister of the Church, not ordination. All of the Baptized are essential to the liturgy, and all of the Baptized are essential to the whole work of the Church. There aren't performers and audience members either in the church building or out of it.
And so, despite what the person I quoted at the beginning of this piece said, no one was in the audience at my ordination because there was no audience. It was not the bishop laying his hands on me and praying the prayer of consecration alone that made me a priest. The whole congregation prayed that prayer and I was not a priest until the congregation, that particular expression of the Body of Christ in that time and place, said, "Amen."
On Sunday—the day before the day that the secular world calls Labor Day and every time we gather together as the Body of Christ, let's be about worship, which is our work—the work of the people of God—all of the people of God.
--Father Rhodes
Friday, August 27, 2010
Grace Church and the Anglican Parish Model
An Anglican clerical title one doesn't hear much anymore is parson (like Parson Brown in the song 'Winter Wonderland'). A parson is, more or less, what we would call a rector in the Episcopal Church, but the parson has more legal rights and responsibilities than an Episcopal Church rector has.
I have zero interest in such rights, but I still like the term parson because of what it means about the priest, but also because of what it means about the parish and the congregation(s) within it. Parson just means 'person.' The parson is the 'person' of the parish. He or she represents the Church within the boundaries of the parish. And the parson is, in a sense, responsible for the souls in that parish. All of them—not just the Anglican ones—not even just the Christian ones—but all of them.
This model assumes one Church rather than a multitude of denominations. In England there was the Church of England and then a bunch of dissenters. Legally, to belong to the Church meant to be Anglican. This is no longer the case in England and it was never the case in the United States (though some individual states had established churches for a time), so one might wonder what use it has in today's Church.
But along with this model comes a very different sense of what the Church is. There was not the sense that the Church in a given place was a building (or several) from which people escaped the world for a short time, did their religious thing and then re-entered the world. In this model, the Church was the world and the Church/world was divided up into dioceses and parishes and everyone who lived in a parish belonged to the Church of that parish whether they were members or not. And (and here's the important part), the parish church or churches had a responsibility, along with the parson, for the spiritual well-being of everyone who lived within the parish boundary, again, whether they are members or not.
For two years the Vestry, Wardens and I have been struggling with the Vision of Grace Church. I think we're getting close. And a big part of what I have been hearing in this communal discernment is the sense that it is time for us to take back this Anglican Parish Model. We may not know exactly what that means (though we have some ideas and they are becoming clearer as I will be explaining in the coming weeks—especially regarding the Large Parish Hall), but we know that what God has given us here is too important to be kept for ourselves. What God has given us is for the sake of those around us. We have some responsibility for the spiritual life of those in our parish—not the congregation only, but in the whole parish—whether they are members or not.
Part of what I'm hearing in this collective discernment process is a vision in which Grace Church—each of us and all of us together
starts accepting the vocation God has given us in this time and place;
starts accepting the responsibility for our spiritual lives, and of those of the people around us;
starts behaving as if we are here as God's representatives in Westwood—because we are.
And I want to be clear... by this I do NOT mean that we shouldn't work nicely with others or that we should pretend they're not here or steal sheep or stand on the corner and tell people they are going to hell if they don't get themselves through our doors. I am not talking about attacking or undermining the beliefs or lives of those of other denominations or other faiths. I'm not even talking about increasing the membership of Grace Church.
What I mean is that we have to live into our Anglican ethos and BE the Church here and now—BE the spiritual center for this parish. What I mean is that it is time we claim the authority and power God has given us to be the Church of/in this time and this place. God called us and brought us here to be the Church in and for this place—not just for ourselves or our own spiritual needs. God has given us the responsibility for the people here (not an issue of getting more 'customers', but of our mission to those around us)—all of them, whether they are members or not.
There is a deep and real spiritual hunger in the world around us. There are people who are starving without even knowing what it is they hunger for. They are all around us—right here within our own parish boundaries.
And God has given to us—to the Church—the most amazing gifts; the most wonderful food. Many of those who are starving will be suspicious of the food we have to give them. Many of us are (for a variety of reasons) uncomfortable with the idea of sharing what God gives us week in and week out.
But I have been called to be the parson of this parish. And you have been called to be the congregation of this parish. And we have a responsibility for those in this parish who are spiritually hungry, whether they are members or not. Please pray for your Wardens, Vestry and Rector as we learn to lead the congregation of this parish. Please pray for guidance about how God is calling you to take on this vocation to feed all of those around us who hunger, spiritually or otherwise. And pray for God to be in the midst of it all, teaching us what it means to be the Church.
--Father Rhodes
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Morning Prayer, with Hymns and Sermon
8 am and 10 am
Friday, August 20, 2010
Summer Social
7 pm at Chris & Randy Scott's home, 422 Kinderkamack, Westwood
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sunday Morning Prayer and Daily Christian Prayer
(GRACE NOTES—AUGUST 22, 2010) This Sunday we worship in a way that is unusual for Grace Church. It wasn’t always, and for much of the history of the Episcopal Church, it was the norm in most parishes. This Sunday we worship using the liturgy of Morning Prayer rather than that of the Holy Eucharist. We do this because I am in St. Louis visiting family and the supply priest I had originally scheduled for this day had to back out late enough that I could not secure another priest in time (that this may become necessary more often as the culture and the Church continue to change is probably something that needs to be addressed, but I’ll save it for another time, except to say that I will do everything in my power to ensure the regular celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Sundays and major Feasts).
It’s not that Morning Prayer itself is an unusual thing at Grace. It’s not. We worship using Morning Prayer nearly every Wednesday and Sunday morning and also, as a rule, on the first Friday morning of the month. And I pray Morning Prayer every day myself and often I do so in the church (a church should be prayed in as often and as deeply as possible). I hope that we will do so even more often (more on that below).
What’s unusual for Grace Church in recent decades is Morning Prayer as the principal act of worship on Sunday morning. We are a parish that has embraced (at least part of) the normative practice of the early Church, the English Reformation, the Oxford Movement and its Anglo-Catholic successors, and The Book of Common Prayer, 1979. Near the beginning of the latter, in the section called Concerning the Service of the Church, we find this normative practice spelled out, "The Holy Eucharist, the principal act of Christian worship on the Lord’s Day and other major Feasts, and Daily Morning and Evening Prayer, as set forth in this Book, are the regular services appointed for public worship in this Church." (BCP 13)
Morning Prayer (and Evening Prayer) are to be prayed every day (including, but not limited to Sundays), but the Holy Eucharist is to be celebrated on Sundays and major Feast days. This is the fundamental pattern of Christian worship since nearly the beginning. The Holy Eucharist was connected to the Lord’s Day (Sunday) since the beginning. Grace Church has enthusiastically embraced the connection between the Holy Eucharist and Sunday.
But daily public prayer in one form or another has also been the norm for the Church since the beginning. Christians inherited the Jewish practice of common prayer offered in synagogues at the time of sacrifice in the Temple: morning and afternoon (evening). The point of this prayer was the sanctification of time and the fulfillment of the instruction to pray at all times. It was the way, the Church believed, that Christ’s High Priestly intercession on behalf of the Church and all of creation, in the presence of his Father in heaven (as described in the letter to the Hebrews), was being exercised by Christ’s Body the Church on behalf of the world right here on earth.
At first this daily morning and evening prayer, also called the Daily Office or the Divine Office, took very simple forms and could be easily prayed by most Christians. Over time the forms of this daily prayer grew more complex, especially in cathedrals and in monasteries. In cathedrals the music and ceremonial grew more complex. In monasteries the Office spread out into anywhere from two to twenty-two offices scattered throughout the day (though the usual Western pattern was seven offices), with the Psalter often being prayed in its entirety once a day. In both cases the growing complexity made it much more difficult for the average Christian or the average congregation to pray the Daily Office. It came to be seen as the extraordinary prayer of the ordained and those in religious orders rather than the ordinary prayer of everyday Christians.
One of the great gains in the English Reformation was a greatly simplified Daily Office: Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer every day, with Psalms, scripture readings and prayer forming the basic framework. That is still the shape of our Daily Office today. The original intent was for this to be prayed by the entire congregation every day. That original intent was probably never completely lived out, but it was and is within reach for most congregations to have a regular offering of the Daily Office—Morning and Evening Prayer—with a real congregation, however small.
Next week Grace Church will return to her usual pattern of the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Sundays. That is a good thing. But it is only half of the foundational pattern described in the Prayer Book and practiced in some way throughout the history of the Church. The other half of that foundational pattern is daily Morning and Evening Prayer.
Recently I rearranged the Lady Chapel space to be more conducive to the regular offering of the Daily Office and now when I pray Morning or Evening Prayer at Grace rather than in the rectory, I pray it in the chapel. But I look forward to a time in the near future when the Morning and Evening Prayer will be celebrated more often—maybe even every day—by at least some small part of and on behalf of this community. Maybe we can’t all be here for the Office every day (though the Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families found on pages 136ff of The Book of Common Prayer make it possible for all of us to at least take a few minutes out of our lives and join ourselves to the ongoing prayer of the Church in the morning, at noon, in the evening and before bed each day), but perhaps we can offer this worship and intercessory prayer—as Christ’s Body on earth offer Christ’s High Priestly ministry of intercession—on behalf of the world and especially the communities of Westwood and the surrounding area—as a community. Maybe we could find a way for a few of us to gather each morning and each evening to pray the Office. Maybe we could be the prayer for Westwood and the surrounding area.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Morning Prayer 7:45 am
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Procession and Solemn Mass 10 am
Friday, August 13, 2010
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Style or Substance?
There are a number of marks of Anglo-Catholicism, though there are a great variety of opinions on what those marks are. For some, specific modes of dress (even priestly dress away from the altar) or ritual or linguistic style or devotional practices determine the catholicity of a particular parish or a particular Christian. This is Anglo-Catholicism as style. I can hold my own in that kind of Anglo-Catholicism. I think some of it even matters, but I have to admit to growing weary of it as the years go on.
For other Anglo-Catholics today (and for the original Oxford Movement leaders) the real issue was and is not style—not even liturgical style—but real theological substance. These Anglo-Catholics have from the beginning addressed and taken stands on key fundamental questions like "What is the Church?" or "What is priesthood?" or "What is God doing in the Sacraments?" and so on. And, just as important, taking the answers of these questions further by asking, "How do I live in the light of the answers to such questions?" I count myself in the latter group.
So, for example, such Anglo-Catholics take as one mark of Anglo-Catholicism a high view of the Church as the Body of Christ, as the Bride of Christ, as the Communion of Saints and so on. And the implications of this high view of the Church have to do with the notion that Christian life is life in the Church—one can’t be a solitary Christian; with personal holiness as necessary not just for our own sake, but for the sake of all of those to whom we are joined in the Church; with the great gift and truth that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are in Christ and nothing, not even death, can separate us from Christ or from one another in Christ, which means we can pray for and ask for the prayers of other Christians, even those who have died.
Similarly, Anglo-Catholics take as a mark of Anglo-Catholicism a high view of God’s action in the Sacraments (and this, not matters of style or preference, is the real reason to care about ritual expression like vestments, genuflection, the use of incense, etc.) and of the priesthood of Christ which is shared with the baptized in general and the ordained in very particular ways, which have real implications for how we think of God’s creation (it is fallen, but also redeemed through Christ’s incarnation, and so God can and does act through the everyday things of this world like word, water, bread, wine, oil, touch, etc.) and that ministry and mission are the shape of our lives as Christians and as Church.
Today Grace Church celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (called simply Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ in the calendar of the Prayer Book). And since the beginning of the Anglo-Catholic movement in Anglicanism, devotion to Mary has been seen as one of the marks of Anglo-Catholicism. One might ask whether the celebration of this feast is a matter of style (we get to sing wonderful Marian hymns and wear the best vestments and use incense) or a matter of theological substance.
This feast, celebrated since the very early centuries in East and West, is a feast that says that when Mary ‘fell asleep’ she was not cut off from life and communion, but was taken, in the fullness of her being, to her son. As Father Alexander Schmemann wrote, calling Assumption the Summer Pascha (summer Easter) and the deathless dormition (the deathless sleep—the deathless death) in her death there was "not rupture, but union; not sorrow, but joy; and most profoundly, not death but life." (The Virgin Mary: The Celebration of Faith, Volulme 3, p40). In other words, Mary knows now the life of Resurrection opened to humanity by her son, and, though Mary was first, her Assumption into new life is not a unique event just for her, but is the first instance of the new life that Christ has won for all of us at the Resurrection—the life we will share in the Kingdom of God. The power of death is broken.
Style or substance?
Father Rhodes
Friday, August 6, 2010
Discerning Your Spiritual Gifts
A summer workshop
Church of the Annunciation, Oradell
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Church trip to see N.J. Jackals
Baseball and fireworks.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Church Trip to See Jackals
Grace Church is continuing its annual summer tradition and will be going to Yogi Berra Stadium in Montclair NJ on Saturday July 31,2010 to enjoy a Jackals baseball game. Come and have some fun, fellowship and Fireworks. Contact the church office for more information or see Jim Cloke for tickets.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Discerning Spiritual Gifts
A summer workshop sponsored by the congregations of District 9 will be offered August 6-7 at the Church of the Annunciation, Oradell. Participants will discover the vast array of spiritual gifts, become more clear about which gifts God has given them, and be empowered to exercise those gifts. For more information contact the Rev. Dr. J. Barrington Bates (rector@annunciationoradell.org, 201 390-8270) or the Rev. Robert L. Shearer (rshearer@att.net, 917 331-5357).
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi
Morning Prayer 7:45 am
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Solemn Mass, and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament with Adoration and Benediction 10 am
Sunday, May 30, 2010
First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday
Morning Prayer 7:45 am
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Procession and Solemn Mass with Solemn Te Deum 10 am
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday
Morning Prayer 7:45 am
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Procession and Solemn Mass 10 am
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Seventh Sunday of Easter: The Sunday after Ascension Day
Morning Prayer 7 am
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Procession and Solemn Mass 10 am
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Ascension Day
Solemn Mass 7:30 pm
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Sacrament of Confirmation
3 pm at Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral, Newark
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
May Procession
Morning Prayer 7 am
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Solemn Mass with Procession to the Shrine of Our Lady of Westwood 10 am
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Grace Raises Funds for Homeless Families
Parishioners and friends of Grace Church enabled the church to contribute over $2000 to Family Promise of Bergen County by sponsoring Team Grace Westwood's participation in the 17th annual Bike Bergen, which took place Sunday, April 25, 2010. Chilly, damp weather did not keep our team from their appointed rounds in the three-mile walk and 15-mile bike ride.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
The Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Day
Morning Prayer 7:45 am Low Mass with Hymns 8 am Procession and Solemn Mass of the Resurrection 10 am
Saturday, April 3, 2010
The Great Vigil of Easter
Lighting of the Great Fire, the Blessing of the Paschal Candle, Holy Baptism and the First Holy Eucharist of Easter 8:00 pm
Saturday, April 3, 2010
The Great Fifty Days of Easter
Easter, also known as Pascha or the Christian Passover, is the greatest and oldest feast of the Christian Church and is the center of the Christian Year. On this day the Church celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the great act of salvation on which everything in the Church rests and out of which all the power of the Church springs. There is no holier night than the Great Vigil of Easter when Christ is raised from the dead, and Easter Sunday morning continues that celebration with the announcement of his resurrection.
The importance of the feast is highlighted by the forty-day long season of preparation leading up to it (Lent), the Great Three Day liturgy of Easter, and then the continuous celebration of Easter for fifty straight days, culminating in the great feast of Pentecost.
Grace Church celebrates the full fifty days of Easter with the joy and festivity that is intended for it. This season has historically been celebrated as one, long, extended Lord's day, with no fasting, no abstinences and no kneeling for prayer (the latter, one of the canons of the Council of Nicaea, 325AD, won't be the official practice here, but if you would like to follow the canons of that council which are still binding on Anglicans, please feel free to do so). We will sing Easter hymns throughout the season and Alleluia will be a frequently heard and sung word. Incense will be offered each Sunday, the Baptismal Font will be prominently placed and we will be sprinkled with Holy Water from the font each Sunday to remind us that we, too, as the baptized, have died and been raised with Christ.
Pentecost, or Whitsunday, is the fiftieth day of Easter and celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles (Acts 2:1). It is the second most appropriate day for Baptism after the Great Vigil of Easter and is second only to Easter in terms of importance as a Holy Day (it is a far more important day than Christmas, for example). On this day the color of vestments and appointments is red, for the tongues of flame that appeared on the Apostles when the Holy Spirit descended upon them and it is customary for members of the congregation to wear red on this day as well.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Good Friday
Proper Liturgy of Good Friday with Veneration of the Cross and Communion from the Reserved Sacrament 8:00 pm
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Maundy Thursday
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper with Foot Washing, Stripping of the Altar and Reservation of the Sacrament on the Altar of Repose 8:00 pm
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Healing Mass
Morning Prayer 9 am Low Mass with Holy Unction 9:15 am
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
Morning Prayer 7:45 am Low Mass 8 am Solemn Mass with the Blessing of the Palms, Procession and the Proclamation of the Passion Narrative 10:00 am
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Celebrating the Paschal Triduum at Grace Church
Easter, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, is the celebration of the central truth, the central reality of the Christian life. Lent is preparation for it and the Easter celebration lasts 50 days.
And the turning point, the center of the center of the Christian year and of the Christian life, is Holy Week—especially the Paschal Triduum—the Three Day Celebration of the Christian Passover: Maundy Thursday, the Proper Liturgy of Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter followed by the Sunday Mass of the Resurrection.
In the Triduum we participate in some of the most ancient ceremonies of the Church. More importantly Christ gives his life to and for us—death become Life for the world—and we experience this reality in the richest and fullest way in this three day celebration.
There are a number of ways each of us can enter more fully into the Great Three Days we call the Paschal Triduum.
First, one might read through the lessons at some point before participating in them—maybe even take them into prayer—and even read through the texts of the rites themselves in order to get a sense of the context and content of this three day liturgy. The lessons may be found in The Book of Common Prayer or online at lectionary sites like: www.io.com/~kellywp/. The Book of Common Prayer itself may be found at websites like: www.bcponline.org/.
Footwashing is one of the key features of the Maundy Thursday rites and everyone is invited to have his or her feet washed on that day (and before you balk at that notion out of hand, remember that Peter did, too, when Jesus wanted to wash his feet. Jesus' reply? "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me"). It is a good idea on that day to wear shoes/ socks/ stockings that are easily removed before the footwashing and easily replaced afterward.
After the stripping of the altar on Maundy Thursday, the congregation is invited to remain with Christ in the Sacrament on the Altar of Repose at some point through the night. A sign up sheet is in the Narthex.
On Good Friday, the congregation is instructed to kneel often and for long periods of time. Remember that worship is not an endurance test and God and the Rector want you healthy. Kneel only as you are able. It is also a fast day, but please don't eat so little that you become sick. Father Rhodes will hear confessions in the Lady Chapel after the Good Friday Liturgy.
The Great Vigil of Easter is a most beautiful conclusion to the Three Days. It will be an especially full and rich celebration this year because we have an opportunity to experience the Resurrection in our midst as we Baptize our candidate for Holy Baptism, Debbi Geller.
One of the more fun aspects of this night’s celebration is when, as the lights are going up and the Easter Proclamation of Christ’s resurrection is made and the Gloria is sung again, bells are rung. This ringing appropriately includes bells that the congregation brings from home. If you bring bells for this purpose, please wrap them in a cloth or secure the ringer in some way (especially if you bring children) so that they are not rung before the appropriate time.
Come prepared for this three day celebration, but most importantly come and participate in these most central and important rites of Christ's Church.
Pax Christi,
Father Rhodes
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Holy Week Schedule at Grace Church
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
Mass with the Blessing of the Palms, Procession
and the Proclamation of the Passion Narrative
March 28, 10:00 am
Maundy Thursday
The Mass of the Lord's Supper
with Foot Washing, Stripping of the Altar
and Reservation of the Sacrament on the Altar of Repose
April 1, 8:00 pm
Good Friday
Proper Liturgy of Good Friday
with Veneration of the Cross
and Communion from the Reserved Sacrament
April 2, 8:00 pm
The Great Vigil of Easter
Lighting of the Great Fire, the Blessing of the Paschal Candle,
Holy Baptism (or the renewal of Baptismal vows)
and the First Holy Eucharist of Easter
April 3, 8:00 pm
The Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Day
Morning Prayer 7:45 am
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Procession and Solemn Mass of the Resurrection 10 am
Friday, March 26, 2010
Way (Stations) of the Cross
Join in this tradition Lenten Devotion 6:00 pm
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Healing Mass
Morning Prayer 9 am Low Mass with Holy Unction 9:15 am
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Lenten Series
The 4 Practices: Worship, Community, Formation and Mission Tuesdays in Lent: March 23 Mass: 6 pm Simple Supper and Program 6:45 pm
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Morning Prayer 7:45 am Low Mass with Hymns 8 am Sung Mass with Choir and Incense and the Presentation of the Lord’s Prayer 10 am Fellowship and Adult Forum after 10 am Mass
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Healing Mass
Morning Prayer 9 am Low Mass with Holy Unction 9:15 am
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Lenten Series
The 4 Practices: Worship, Community, Formation and Mission Tuesdays in Lent: March 16, 23 Mass: 6 pm Simple Supper and Program: 6:45 pm
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Morning Prayer 7:45 am Low Mass with Hymns 8 am Sung Mass with Choir and Incense 10 am Fellowship and Adult Forum after 10 am Mass
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Set your clocks ahead one hour before retiring. Aargh...
Friday, March 12, 2010
Way (Stations) of the Cross
Join in this tradition Lenten Devotion 6:00 pm
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Lenten Series
The 4 Practices: Worship, Community, Formation and Mission Thursdays in Lent: March 11, 18, 25 Mass: Noon Brown Bag Lunch and Program: 12:45 pm
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Healing Mass
Morning Prayer 9 am Low Mass with Holy Unction 9:15 am
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Lenten Series
The 4 Practices: Worship, Community, Formation and Mission Tuesdays in Lent: March 9, 16, 23 Mass: 6 pm Simple Supper and Program: 6:45 pm
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Third Sunday in Lent
Morning Prayer 7:45 am Low Mass with Hymns 8 am Sung Mass with Choir and Incense and the Presentation of the Creed 10 am Fellowship and Adult Forum after 10 am Mass
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Vestry Retreat
Friday, March 5, 2010
Confirmation Retreat
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Lenten Series
The 4 Practices: Worship, Community, Formation and Mission Thursdays in Lent: March 4, 11, 18, 25 Mass: Noon Brown Bag Lunch and Program: 12:45 pm
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Healing Mass
Morning Prayer 9 am Low Mass with Holy Unction 9:15 am
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Lenten Series
The 4 Practices: Worship, Community, Formation and Mission Tuesdays in Lent: March 2, 9, 16, 23 Mass: 6 pm Simple Supper and Program: 6:45 pm
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Second Sunday in Lent
Morning Prayer 7:45 am Low Mass with Hymns 8 am Sung Mass with Choir and Incense and Enrollment of Candidate for Baptism 10 am Fellowship and Adult Forum after 10 am Mass
Friday, February 26, 2010
Way (Stations) of the Cross
Join in this tradition Lenten Devotion 6:00 pm
Friday, February 26, 2010
Way (Stations) of the Cross Cancelled Tonight
Due to inclement weather, The Way (Stations) of the Cross devotion originally scheduled for 6 pm this evening (February 26) is cancelled, but will be offered on Friday, March 12 at 6 pm and Friday, March 26 at 6 pm.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Lenten Series
The 4 Practices: Worship, Community, Formation and Mission Thursdays in Lent: February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25 Mass: Noon Brown Bag Lunch and Program: 12:45 pm
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Lenten Series
The 4 Practices: Worship, Community, Formation and Mission Tuesdays in Lent: February 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23 Mass: 6:00pm Light Supper and Program: 6:45pm
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Youth Confirmation Class
Meets in the Living Room at 7 pm. This week: Rule of Life and the Church Year
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Lent
The Season of Lent began as a short (perhaps only two or three days) time of fasting before Easter. By the Council of Nicaea (325) a fast of forty days was a fixture of the Church, though it may originally have been the prescribed fast only for those seeking baptism at the Great Vigil of Easter. When the season became more widely established, as the Prayer Book tells us, "Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism," and "a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church." (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 265)
The character of the season of Lent is still marked by the practices of fasting and abstinence. While the Anglican Lenten tradition isn't as strict as that of the Roman or the Eastern Churches, the Prayer Book does list Ash Wednesday and Good Friday as fast days (usually recognized as one light, meatless meal in the day) and says that, along with these two days, the weekdays of Lent and Holy Week are to be observed by special acts of discipline and self-denial (BCP 17—and see page 4 of the current issue of The Dove). In addition it is still customary to "give something up for Lent."
I commend these practices to you this season as well as the traditional practices of increased almsgiving, prayer, worship (a simple Low Mass on the Tuesdays in Lent at 6:00 pm and on Thursdays at Noon before the Lenten series will be offered an opportunity for increasing worship), and spiritual reading (especially of Holy Scripture). The latter could be Lenten devotional books and/or the Gospel of John (traditionally read in its entirety this season) or anything that deepens your spiritual life.
Lent culminates in Holy Week, which includes Palm Sunday, the Triduum and finally Easter Sunday. The rites of this week are attested as early as the fourth century in the work of Egeria. The Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter) is the great series of ancient rites of the Church (which include such things as footwashing, the stripping of the altar, the watch before the Blessed Sacrament, the adoration of the cross, and the lighting of the Paschal Candle, the movement from darkness to light) in which we participate in the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord.
May we all have a holy and fruitful Lent as we prepare to celebrate the great good news of Easter.
Pax Christi,
Father Rhodes
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Ash Wednesday
Mass with Imposition of Ashes 9:15 am, Noon, 5 pm, 8 pm
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Shrove Tuesday
Worship at 6:30 pm followed by dinner and live music
Friday, February 12, 2010
Shrove Tuesday—February 16
Join Grace Church on Tuesday, February 16 at 6:30 pm for worship, food and fun in preparation for the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Worship will be at 6:30 pm with good food (including Shrimp Creole) and live music following. Father Rhodes will make himself available in the Lady Chapel to administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation (the Shrive) to those seeking absolution on this traditional day for private confessions. Donations are welcome.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Ash Wednesday—February 17
February 17 is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, a season of spiritual preparation for the celebration of Easter and especially the Sacrament of Holy Baptism (the death and resurrection of Christ in our midst). We begin our observance of a holy Lent, the time of self‑examination and repentance; of prayer, fasting, and self‑denial; and of reading and meditating on God's holy Word, with a special Mass which includes kneeling in prayer, and receiving ashes on our foreheads as a sign of our mortality: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." This year Grace Church will celebrate the Ash Wednesday liturgy with a said Mass at 9:15 am (Morning Prayer preceding at 9 am), Noon, and 5 pm and a Solemn Mass that includes music and incense at 8 pm. All are welcome to begin and share the Lenten journey with us.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Youth Confirmation Class
Meets in the Living Room at 7 pm. This week: The Book of Common Prayer and the Daily Office
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Book Club
Theological Book Club 7 pm “Sacrament and Symbol”—Appendix 2 from For the Life of the World by Father Alexander Schmemann
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Vestry Meeting
Mass 7:30 pm/Meeting immediately following
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple: Candlemas
Solemn Mass with Blessing of Candles 10 am
Friday, January 29, 2010
Hungry and Homeless in Bergen County
Two ministries that Grace Church participates in were featured in the news recently: the Walk-In Dinner program and the Christ Church Community Development Corporation's Homeless Shelter and Next Step programs. The occasion of the reporting was the fourth annual Project Homeless Connect, which involves taking a census of the county's homeless. The Record's article can viewed by clicking here, and the broadcast report from NJ1 can be viewed by clicking here.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Diocesan Convention
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Congratulations to Electees
Warden Class of 2012
Leslie Bisdale
(Two year term)
Vestry Class of 2011
Evans Roache
(One year unexpired term)
Vestry Class of 2013
Ben Martin
(Three year term)
Harry Randall
Nancy Sobeck
Jack Waneck
Deputy to Diocesan Convention
Mary Sunden
Class of 2013
(Three year term)
Representatives to District Nine
Tom Bisdale
(One Year Term)
Anne Tait
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
About the Season after the Epiphany
The season after the Epiphany (the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, on January 6) is a season of wonders and water and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove and a voice from heaven saying about Jesus,"This is my beloved Son," and of water turned into wine, and the urgency of ministry and mission and Transfiguration. This season is also called the "Ordinary Time" of the Church and it bridges the time between the Christmas/ Epiphany cycle and Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday (this year, February 17).
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Annual Meeting
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Book Club
Theological Book Club 7 pm
“Worship in a Secular Age” from For the Life of the World by Father Alexander Schmemann
Friday, January 8, 2010
About the Baptism of Our Lord
In the Western Church the First Sunday after the Epiphany is also called the Baptism of Our Lord. On this day the Church celebrates the first revelation of God as Trinity. When John the Baptist baptized Jesus, Spirit of God descended like a dove upon Jesus and a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
This feast is one of the five occasions for Baptism (along with the Great Vigil of Easter, Pentecost, All Saint's Day and the visitation of a bishop) and so at the 10 am Mass we will renew our baptismal vows on this day and be sprinkled with water blessed in the font as a reminder of our identity as the baptized.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles
Morning Prayer and Said Mass 9 am
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Nominating Committee Report
Warden Class of 2012
Leslie Bisdale
(Two year term)
Vestry Class of 2011
Evans Roache
(One year unexpired term)
Vestry Class of 2013
Ben Martin
(Three year term)
Harry Randall
Nancy Sobeck
Jack Waneck
Deputy to Diocesan Convention
Mary Sunden
Class of 2013
(Three year term)
Representatives to District Nine
Tom Bisdale
(One Year Term)
Anne Tait
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
About the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles
The word epiphany means manifestation. The Epiphany was originally observed in the Eastern Church as the feast celebrating the manifestation of Christ as God’s Son at his Baptism, the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles (the Magi representing the brightest of the Gentile world) and the manifestation of his miraculous power by turning water into wine. As early as the fourth century, Epiphany ranked along with the two other major feasts of Easter (Pascha) and Pentecost. The feast entered the Western Church at some point in the fourth or fifth century, but its primary focus in the West became Christ's manifestation beyond the people of Israel and to the wider Gentile world in the persons of the Wise Men.
Grace Church will celebrate this feast on Wednesday at the Said Mass with Holy Unction at 9:15 am (following Morning Prayer at 9 am) and with a Sung Mass at 7:30 pm.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Second Sunday after Christmas Day
Said Mass with Hymns 8 am Solemn Mass 10 am
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Sung Mass with Hymns 10 am
Sunday, December 27, 2009
The First Sunday after Christmas Day Lessons and Carols with Holy Eucharist
8 am and 10 am
Friday, December 25, 2009
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Christmas Day
Said Mass with Hymns 9 am
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Said Mass with Hymns 4 pm
Choral Vigil 10:30 pm
Solemn Mass 11 pm
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Movie Night
“Malcolm X” Part 1 at 7 pm
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas at Grace Church
The Christmas story is one filled with wonders—angels, a virgin giving birth, shepherds, kings, and God himself coming among us in the form of a helpless baby. As amazing as this wonderful story is, the great miracle that the Church celebrates this day and this season is the miracle of God the Son becoming incarnate—sharing our human flesh, our human nature—in order that we might come to share in his divine life.
The Christmas Season begins with the first evening prayer of Christmas (Christmas Eve), which is December 24 and lasts twelve days—until evening prayer (or sundown) of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ (January 6). The usual Friday abstinence is suspended during the season and Christians are encouraged to make these twelve days a time of celebration and joy.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas Worship Schedule
Thursday, December 24
Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Said Mass with Hymns 4 pm
Choral Vigil 10:30 pm
Solemn Mass 11 pm
+
Friday, December 25
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Christmas Day
Said Mass with Hymns 9 am
+
Sunday, December 27
The First Sunday after Christmas Day
Lessons and Carols with Holy Eucharist 8 am + 10 am
+
Friday, January 1
The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Sung Mass with Hymns 10 am
+
Sunday, January 3
The Second Sunday after Christmas Day
Said Mass with Hymns 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
+
Wednesday, January 6
The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles
Morning Prayer and Said Mass 9 am
Sung Mass with Hymns 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Dugan's Hooligans
8 pm Benefit Concert
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Serving Mariners
Most of the goods we consume come to us over the world's oceans and waterways, and are brought by mariners from every country. The Seaman's Church Institute serves to meet the medical, legal and spiritual needs of those who pass through the port of New York. In response to the 2009 appeal from Seaman's Church Institute, St. Martha's Guild collected and packaged gifts from the church as well as the guild for Christmas giving to those mariners who will be away from home at the holidays.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Theological Book Group
Discuss “Where God Happens: Discovering Christ in Each Other” (Chapters 3 and 4) by Archbishop Rowan Williams, 7-8 pm
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thanksgiving Eve
Sung Mass at 8pm
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
About the Season of Advent
The world calls the season between Thanksgiving and Christmas day the Holiday or Christmas season and it's usually about busy-ness, buying and stress.
But the Church knows the season begining on the Sunday that falls on or closest to November 30 and continues to the Evening of Christmas (on the Evening of Christmas—December 24) by the name Advent (from the Latin word, adventus, which means "coming").
Advent is a season of joyful expectation of a two-fold orientation: looking forward to
the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time when creation is healed and sin, suffering and death are no more, and also to
the commemoration of Christ's Incarnation, which the Church celebrates during the Christmas season—the twelve days beginning on Christmas Day and continuing through the Epiphany of Our Lord to the Gentiles (January 6).
In a time when the world calls us to be especially busy, God calls us to greater simplicity in our lives in order to make space for the Holy Spirit to breathe in us and to make way for Christ's coming in and through us. To this end, Grace Church's worship in this season embraces silence, simplicity and contemplation.
Why not take a break from busy-ness of the "Holiday Season" and join Grace Church in the quiet simplicity of Advent?
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Christ the King
Mass at 9:15 am followed by festive meal
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Movie Night
“Kundun” at 7 pm
Monday, November 16, 2009
An Advent Invitation from Bp. Beckwith
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Walk-In Dinner featured on BBC
A news crew from the British Broadcasting Corporation recently visited the new Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center in Hackensack while filming a segment on the US economy. The story featured video of the Walk-In Dinner program run by the Interreligious Fellowship for the Homeless, which Grace Church participates in six times a year. The Center is also the new home of Christ Church Community Development Corporation, whose shelter and Next Step program Grace Church supports financially. Click here for a link to the BBC video.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Theological Book Group
Discuss Where God Happens: Discovering Christ in Each Other (Chapters 1 and 2) by Archbishop Rowan Williams, 7-8 pm.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Commemoration of All Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day)
Said Mass with Remembrance of Faithful Departed at 7 pm
Sunday, November 1, 2009
All Saints’ Sunday
Procession and Solemn Mass with Blessing of the Font and Renewal of Baptismal Vows at 10 am
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Daylight Savings Time ends
Turn your clocks back 1 hour Saturday night. Hurray!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
All Saints' Day
It is believed by many scholars that the feasts of All Saints on November 1st originated in Ireland, spread from there to England, and then to Europe. Documentary evidence attests to its celebration as early as the ninth century. However, the desire of Christian people to express the intercommunion of the living and the dead in the Body of Christ by a commemoration of those who, having professed faith in the living Christ in days past, had entered into the nearer presence of their Lord, and especially of those who had crowned their professions with heroic deaths, was far older than the Middle Ages.
All Saints' Day is classed, in The Book of Common Prayer, as a Principal Feast, taking precedence of any other day or observance. Among the seven so classified, All Saints' Day alone may be observed on the following Sunday, in addition to its observance on its fixed date. It is one of the four Holy Days (in addition to the Bishop's visitation) recommended in the Prayer Book for the administration of Holy Baptism.
This year All Saints' Day falls on a Sunday. Grace Church will celebrate All Saints' Day with a Solemn Mass and either Holy Baptism or the renewal of our Baptismal vows at 10am on November 1.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Commemoration of All Faithful Departed
(Commonly called All Souls Day)
In the New Testament, the words 'saints' is used to describe the entire membership of the Christian Community, and in the Collect for All Saints' Day the word 'elect' is used in a similar sense. From very early times, however, the word 'saint' came to be applied primarily to persons of heroic sanctity, whose deeds were recalled with gratitude by later generations.
Beginning in the tenth century, it became customary to set aside another day-as a sort of extension of All Saints-on which the Church remembered that vast body of the faithful who, though no less members of the company of the redeemed, are unknown in the wider fellowship of the Church and it served as a day for particular remembrance of family members and friends.
Grace Church will celebrate All Souls Day with a simple Mass on Monday, November 2 at 7pm. It is on this day that the names of our loved ones will be read aloud and prayed for. If you would like a loved one remembered at the altar on this day, please fill out a form found in a bulletin or in the narthex or email the office by clicking here.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Oktoberfest Benefit
At Cornerstone Restaurant, 7 pm
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Theological Book Group
Discuss What is the Point of Being a Christian? by Timothy Radcliffe, OP, 7-8 pm.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Oktoberfest to Benefit Hospice
On Monday, October 19th at 7 pm, Grace Church will be partnering with The Cornerstone Restaurant in offering an Oktoberfest to benefit the Community Hospice of Bergen County. The 'fest will include a selection of hand-picked beers and ales together with authentic German cuisine. Tickets are $55. For more information, or to reserve tickets, click here.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Fall Vendor Fair Benefits Westwood Cares
Grace Church is sponsoring a Fall Vendor Fair on Saturday, October 17, from 10am to 2pm for the benefit of Westwood Cares. A diverse group of vendors has committed to coming, including those selling candles, jewelry, high quality silver, leather goods, custom cloth handbags, Italian cookies, and more. Westwood Cares aids persons in serious immediate financial distress in Westwood and Hillsdale. A portion of all vendors' proceeds will go to helping the organization. Please come and support this outreach effort and let others know about it.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Theological Book Group Starts
The Theological Book Group has an intimidating name, but you don't have to be a theologian to enjoy it. The books will be good, but not too difficult. The group will read each book before the meeting and then gather with the Rector to discuss it. The first book will be "What is the Point of Being a Christian?" by Timothy Radcliffe, OP, and the group will meet to discuss it on October 14 from 7 to 8 pm.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Movie Night
View and discuss the second half of Gandhi, 7 pm.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Feast of the Dedication of the Church
Procession and Solemn Mass at 10 am
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Blessing of Animals
Your pets and their support staff are invited for a blessing at noon this Sunday for our annual Saint Francis Animal Blessing.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Movie Night
View and discuss the first half of Gandhi, 7 pm.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Church School Begins
Adult Forum: What is Anglo-Catholicism? Part I
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Job Search Workshop
Interview Skills
7 pm, Holy Trinity, Hillsdale
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Church School Registration
Adult Forum: The Seaman’s Church Institute
The Reverend Marge Lindstrom, Port Chaplain
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Job Search Workshop
Resume Writing
7 pm, Holy Trinity, Hillsdale
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Solemnity of the Holy Cross
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Procession and Solemn Mass 10 am
The Reverend Marge Lindstrom, Port Chaplain-Seaman’s Church Institute
Celebrant and Preacher
Friday, September 4, 2009
Saint Francis of Assissi and the Blessing of Animals
Saint Francis was a wandering preacher in the late twelfth and early thirteenth century who experienced Christ’s call to give up everything and follow him (Matthew 10:7-19) as a personal call. Saint Francis is known for many things. He lived a life of strict poverty in solidarity with lepers and the poor; he arranged for the first Christmas crèche to be made; he received the stigmata (the five wounds of Christ); and he loved nature, composing a hymn (the Canticle of the Sun) that emphasized God’s glory in it. The stories of his love of nature, including such unusual activities as preaching to the birds, is why he has become the patron saint of, among other things, animals. For this reason, in many places, it has become customary to follow Francis’ lead and honor animals on or near his feast day (October 4) by blessing them.
Grace Church invites you to bring your favorite of God's creatures great and small to receive a blessing at Noon on the Feast Day of Saint Francis, October 4.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Holy Cross Day
September 14 is Holy Cross Day (in the Western Church also known as the Exaltation or Triumph of the Cross, or Roodmas, and in the Eastern Church as the Elevation of the Holy Cross), the celebration of the Cross of Christ by which he triumphed over sin and death and redeemed the whole world.
The date for Holy Cross Day was chosen because of a miracle and the dedication of a church building. Early in the fourth century, Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, went to Israel to locate the sites of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The story is that she not only located the sites, but through divine intervention also discovered the True Cross itself on September 14, 326. The Emperor constructed the Church of the Holy Sepulcher over the site and it was dedicated on September 14, 335.
Holy Cross Day is not another Good Friday. It is a feast at which the Church celebrates the Holy Cross as a symbol of triumph, a sign of Christ's victory over death, and a reminder of his promise, "When I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself." (John 12:32)
This year Grace Church celebrates this feast on Sunday, September 13 with a Procession and Solemn Mass, and is pleased to welcome Mother Marge Lindstrom, Seaman’s Church Institute Chaplain, as Celebrant and Preacher.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Worship at Grace Church
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8
At first glance Anglican worship might seem strange: the foundation of our life and worship together is a bath and the principle act of worship that sustains us Sunday after Sunday is a shared meal—simple, decidedly material, acts.
But the belief that God became human—flesh and blood—in Jesus Christ, and that even today he who
took flesh in the womb,
was bathed in the Jordan,
healed a blind man using spit and dirt,
touched so many with simple words and with healing hands,
shared meals with friends and also with those at the margins of society,
died in the body and was raised in the body
continues to dwell among us in the life of the Church through simple, material acts, is at the very heart of Anglican Christian life and worship. And so, Anglican worship involves the whole person: heart, mind, soul and body.
In our worship
Christians join as one Body to pray and sing in forms that date from the earliest days of the Church;
every-day objects like word, water, bread and wine, oil, touch, light and time become the medium through which God in Christ gives his life to us; and,
by the power of the Holy Spirit, it is Christ himself in the gathered Body who offers prayer, praise and sacrifice to his Father in heaven for the life of the whole world.
The Book of Common Prayer, the gift of the English Reformation to the Church, is the standard for Anglican/Episcopal worship. It enables our worship to be less about what a priest does for a congregation, than what we do together, as Christ’s Body, and what Christ does in his Body, for the life of the world.
The rhythm and content of Anglican life worship is the same as that followed by the Church through the centuries, sanctifying (making holy) time through the Daily Office and the Church year, and sanctifying life and creation through the Sacraments—the Holy Eucharist (also known as the Mass, the Holy Communion or the Lord’s supper) being "the principle act of Christian worship on the Lord's Day and other major Feasts..." (The Book of Common Prayer p.13).
It is a rhythm that may not be obvious at first, but rewards faithful participation and is supplemented and enhanced by acts of corporate and private devotion.
Come to Grace Church. Worship with us. Try it for yourself. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Church trip to see N.J. Jackals
Baseball and fireworks.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Job Search Help
Holy Trinity Church Parish Hall
326 Hillsdale, Ave, Hillsdale, NJ 7:30 pm
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Episcopal Church Meets in Convention
The triennial General Convention of the Episcopal Church gathers from July 8-17 in Anaheim California to discern the will of God for the Episcopal Church for the next three years. News and information about the Convention may be found here. Please pray for the Church and for those gathered at General Convention.
"Almighty and everlasting Father, who hast given the Holy Spirit to abide with us for ever: Bless, we beseech thee, with his grace and presence, the bishops and the other clergy and the laity now assembled in thy Name, that thy Church, being preserved in true faith and godly discipline, may fulfill all the mind of him who loved it and gave himself for it, thy Son Jesus Christ our Savior; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen." (Book of Common Prayer, 204)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
General Convention 2009
The Episcopal Church meets this year in Anaheim, CA. Online coverage here.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Celebrating our First Year Together
It is a happy time here at Grace as we celebrate the 1st anniversary of the arrival of the The Rev'd Rob Rhodes and his wife, Lisa Copland in Westwood. Last year as Fr. Rhodes became the seventh rector of Grace Church, he began the sometime complex tasks of "learning the congregation" and adjusting to life in northern New Jersey. It has been a year full of introductions, getting acquainted, prayer and worship while we establish the foundations of our ministry. It truly is a happy and exciting time as we move on to the next phase of our shared ministry and determine where we are being led in God's world--together.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Job Search Help
Grace Church and Holy Trinity, Hillsdale are co-sponsoring a job-search coaching session on Sunday, July 12 at 7:30 PM at Holy Trinity Church in Hillsdale. Bill Belknap, Master Career Coach will discuss job-search strategies, answer questions and provide resources. RSVP to wcbelknap@mindspring.com. There is no cost for this informative session.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Solemn Mass, and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament with Adoration and Benediction 10 am
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Procession and Solemn Mass with Solemn Te Deum 10 am
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Grace Church supports work in South Africa
Did you know. . .
* South Africa is a little less than twice the size of Texas
* There is 25% unemployment
* 6 million people have AIDS
* 60% have HIV/AIDS and no treatment.
Into these desperate circumstances came Pam Jamison, an Episcopal nurse, and in the year 2000, the Carryou ministry was founded. As she puts it, ". . .with no resources--just sick people and a strong faith," she began the work that today has grown to a full time staff of 10, and 62 caregivers who address the needs of the sick with TB, AIDS and other debilitating diseases. The organization also helps many orphaned children, feeding, supervising and educating them, obtaining birth certificates and ID documents, and has helped 10 orphans with higher education, including university, college and teachers' training college.
Carryou has built, and will soon open its own "drop in center" where children can be fed, do homework, get counseling and other services in a safe and protected environment.
In early May of this year, Sue Heywood addressed an adult forum at Grace Church introducing parishioners to this ministry. Within a matter of days the people of Grace raised $220, which is enough to support a child for six months.
If you would like to know more about Carryou, visit their website at www.carryouministry.co.za.
You can contribute directly to Carryou by mailing your check to St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo, 10 Fox Hill Road, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987. Be sure to mark the memo line on your check with "Carryou." All monies collected are wired to Carryou by Sue Heywood, and no administrative costs are deducted from your contribution.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Procession and Solemn Mass 10 am
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Seventh Sunday of Easter: The Sunday after Ascension Day
Low Mass with Hymns 8 am
Procession and Solemn Mass 10 am
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Ascension Day
Solemn Mass 8 pm
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Flowers at Five Corners
Fund-raising plant sale on church lawn from 10 to 3
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Grace Church in the News
The April 29, 2009 issue of Community Life includes two articles that feature Grace Church. First, there is an article and photograph reporting on St. Martha's Guild annual "baby shower" for North Porch, an event already publicized in this space. Second, there is article on a recent fundraising dinner for Westwood Cares at which a table-full of Grace parishioners could be spotted. Father Rob Rhodes was quoted as saying "[Grace Church] wants to see what the needs of the community are, throw the doors open, and see what we can give back." Our own Cindy Waneck, together with the mayor and other Council members, helped cook and serve the dinner. A highlight of the evening was seeing Cookie Smethurst and Father Tom Norton tearing up the dance floor. To see the Community Life article, click here.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Blessing of the Bikes
On April 26, 2009, to honor our unofficial patron saint, Our Lady of Grace, who is also one of the patron saints of motorcyclists, Grace Episcopal Church, Westwood sponsored a Blessing of Motorcycles. Over a dozen riders showed up for this maiden effort on a beautiful spring day. Monies and food collected that day were taken to St. Paul's Community Development Corporation Food Pantry in Paterson and delivered to them by some of the riders following the blessing.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Doves Strike Again
On Sunday May 3 the Grace Doves enter their 13th season competing in the Pascack Valley Church Softball League, seeking to regain the championship after falling short last year. All games are played at the George White School fields in Hillsdale at 1:30 on Sundays through the end of June except Mothers' Day and Memorial Day Sunday. Men and women 25 years and older are eligible to play plus up to three younger persons to push the elders around the bases. Other churches participating are Hillsdale Methodist, Westwood Methodist and Parkside Community. Anyone interested in playing may contact Tom Bisdale.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Motorcycle Blessing
Motorcycle blessing after the 10 am Mass.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Blessing of the Bikes
On April 26, 2009, to honor our unofficial patron saint, Our Lady of Grace, who is also one of the patron saints of motorcyclists, Grace Episcopal Church, Westood will offer a Blessing of Motorcycles immediately following our regular 10 am Mass (ca 11:15 am). A collection will be taken that day for the St. Paul's Community Development Corporation Food Pantry in Paterson and delivered to them by some of the riders following the blessing.
If you ride please come to Grace Church this Sunday for Mass at 10 am and/or for the blessing afterward. If you know someone who rides, please pass on the word that they are welcome to worship with us Sunday and to bring their motorcycles for a blessing.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Archbishop of Canterbury's Easter Message
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Day
Low Mass with Hymns 8am
Procession and Solemn Mass of the Resurrection 10am
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Great Vigil of Easter
Lighting of the Great Fire, the Blessing of the Paschal Candle, Holy Baptism (or the renewal of Baptismal vows) and the First Holy Eucharist of Easter 8:00 pm
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday
Proper Liturgy of Good Friday with Veneration of the Cross and Communion from the Reserved Sacrament 8:00 pm
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Maundy Thursday
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper with Foot Washing, Stripping of the Altar and Reservation of the Sacrament on the Altar of Repose 8:00 pm
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
Mass with the Blessing of the Palms, Procession and the Proclamation of the Passion Narrative 10:00 am
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thursday Lent Programs
Thursdays in March
Holy Eucharist 6 pm
Light Supper 6:45 pm
Program 7:15 pm
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The Great Three Days at the Center of Our Worship and Our Lives
As the Prayer Book teaches, the purpose of Lent is to serve as a time of preparation for the celebration of the rites of Holy Week, particularly the Three Days, or the Triduum: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Great Vigil of Easter (this year at 8pm each night on April 9, 10, and 11). These liturgies (or better, this liturgy, singular, since they are really one liturgy spread out over three days) form the centerpiece of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, and rightly so, because everything else we do as Church—Baptism and Eucharist especially, but also, by extension, every sacrament, every liturgical act and our entire life as Christians—find its home, its source, its meaning, in what happens in the those three days.
In an age in which worship is marked by the desperation of continual innovation, much of worship has become talk or presentation or drama about Christ. So, in or near Holy Week, many churches will offer some sort of passion drama or symbolic presentation of the events of the last days of Jesus' pre-resurrection life. There is nothing wrong with such presentations, per se. It is a good thing to know about Christ and the events of this life.
But the Triduum - the Great Three Days - is much more than a presentation or a drama about Christ and those last days. In the Triduum Liturgy, the Church's claim is that those events are made present, really present, in our midst. And, even more than that, inasmuch as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, we are made one with them and transformed by them into the likeness of Christ. Of course this is true about Baptism and Eucharist generally, and the transformation these sacraments offer is ongoing, not to be finished in this lifetime. But the proper home of these sacraments is the Triduum and we can only really know Baptism and Eucharist at other times by knowing them in their proper home.
It is a profound mistake to think of the Holy Week liturgies as "special services" - as opportunities for extra worship and devotion. I cannot emphasize strongly enough that, as the setting in which the foundational events of our faith are made present again in their fullness and join our lives to those foundational events, the Triduum is the center around which everything else turns - the Triduum is the center of our life as Church.
I strongly encourage you to take your proper place in the celebration of these great, central, foundational rites of the Church.
Father Rhodes
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Solemn Evensong & Benediction
5 pm at St. Mary the Virgin,
New York City
Father Rhodes will preach
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Set your clocks ahead one hour before retiring. Aargh...
Friday, February 27, 2009
Learning to Pray in Lent
Lenten Series: Thursdays in Lent: March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 2
Mass: 6:00pm
Light Supper: 6:45pm
Program 7:15pm
Most people, including most Episcopalians and most Christians in general, think of prayer almost exclusively in terms of petition or intercession - that is, "God, please give me (or someone else) _______ (fill in the blank)." But prayer is much more than our asking God to do things for us. The real point of prayer is communication, even communion with God, and so it goes two ways.
More than just being what we say to God, prayer begins with God's reaching out to us and drawing prayer from us. More than our talking to God, prayer, perhaps most importantly, has to do with our listening to God.
Luckily for us, we are not on our own in learning how to do this. Since the beginning of the Church, mystics (as early as Saint Paul himself), monks/nuns and many others have discovered a variety of ways to pray, to listen, even to be made one with God, in Christ, through the power of the Spirit. To ignore the experience of these great pray-ers would be poor stewardship of the Church's resources.
The Grace Church Lenten Series this year (Thursdays in Lent - March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 2, Mass at 6pm; light supper at 6:45; program at 7:15) will focus on these varieties of prayer. Each week, after worship, the series will begin with some lecture/discussion about why and how to pray and the theology of prayer. Then a particular form of prayer will be presented which those present will be invited to try out for themselves. Afterwards there will opportunity for discussion about the experience and, as needed, some suggestions for how to continue prayer on your own or in small groups.
Father Rhodes
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Archbishop's Lenten Reflections
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ash Wednesday
Mass with Imposition of Ashes 9:15am, Noon, 5pm, 8pm
Members of Grace Church's womens' guild have been working together to knit afghans for Shelter Our Sisters, ad organization dedicated to sheltering Bergen County women and children who are victims of domestic violence. SOS provides care and service to help women and their dependants attain safety, build a strong foundation for healing and gain self reliance. Click here to learn more about this important ministry.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Mitchell Installation
Church of the Advent, Cape May, 3 pm
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Pictures from a Convention
Steve Boston's pictures from the 2009 Diocese of Newark convention can be viewed by clicking here. If you look deep enough, you'll see photos of Mary Sunden presenting the budget and Fr. Rhodes being presented along with other priests new to the Diocese of Newark.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Grantees in the News: Apostles House
On Sunday, January 25, 2009, Regina Miller and two clients of Apostles House in Newark joined the people of Grace Church at their 10 o'clock service. After Coffee Hour, Regina and her friends were able to describe to parishioners the work of Apostles House, including the Christmas "adopt-a-family" program that Grace Church participated in. On Tuesday, February 3, the Newark Star-Ledger reported that Oprah Winfrey, the noted talk-show host, had donated $250,000 to Apostles House, as part of a larger grant of $2 million to charitable organizations in Newark. A link to the Star-Ledger story can be found here.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple: Candlemas
Solemn Mass with Blessing of Candles 10am
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Diocesan Convention
Monday, January 19, 2009
Congratulations to Our New Officeholders
On a snowy and cold January 18, 2009, Charles Keil become Grace Church's newest vestry member when he and others were elected by the unanimous consent of those gathered for the church's Annual Meeting. Current vestry members Warren Hirstius, James Freeman and Larry Toppin were all re-elected to three-years terms. John Schneider graciously agreed to stand again as Warden, and Ben Martin will represent Grace at the Diocesan Convention starting in 2010.
Earlier that day Grace was honored to have Fr. Tom Norton as a guest preacher on the first Sunday of the Octave of Christian Unity.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Second Sunday After Epiphany
Annual Meeting 11:30am
Sunday, January 11, 2009
First Sunday After Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord
Solemn Mass with Holy Baptism or Renewal of Baptismal Vows 10:00 am
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Sung Mass with incense 8:00 pm
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Archbishop's New Year's Address
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Feast of the Holy Name
Solemn Choral Eucharist 10:00 am
Sunday, December 28, 2008
The First Sunday after Christmas Day
Christmas Lessons and Carols with Holy Eucharist 8 and 10 am
Thursday, December 25, 2008
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Christmas Day
Christmas Day Eucharist 9:00 am
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve
Family Eucharist and Christmas Pageant 4:00pm
Traditional “Midnight” Solemn Choral Mass 11:00 pm (music begins at 10:30)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Fourth Sunday of Advent - Episcopal Visitation
Pontifical Mass at 10am
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wassail Party
6 pm at home of Andy and Cookie Smethurst,
166 Lexington, Westwood
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Christmas Outreach
This year, Grace Church adopted four Newark families in The Apostles House adopt-a-family program. The people of Grace donated over 31 gifts that will be delivered to the needy mothers and children at Christmas. Of the eleven people served in the ministry, one is shortly to be born. Thanks to all who shared of their own fullness, so that others too may be full.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Archbishop of Canterbury's Advent Reflections
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Christmas Outreach
At this time of year when want is most keenly felt, Grace Church will be partnering with Apostles House in Newark to provide gifts to needy families at Christmas time. Apostles House, an Episcopal ministry to single mothers and children, will coordinate and distribute the gifts that the people of Grace Church donate to these families. Thanks to all who signed up on November 23 for this annual outreach ministry. Presents should be brought to the church by Sunday, December 7, 2008.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving Eve
Sung Mass at 8pm
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Solemnity of Christ the King
Procession and Solemn Mass at 10am with the Ingathering of Pledges.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Grace Celebrates New Ministry
On Saturday, November 1, All Saints' Day, the Right Reverend Mark Beckwith presided at a Celebration of New Ministry, instituting Father Rob Rhodes as the seventh rector of Grace Church and charging the rector, wardens, vestry, congregation and the wider church to support each other in being the Body of Christ given for the life of the world. In his sermon, Bishop Beckwith spoke of the institution of Father Rhodes as the occasion for celebrating, reflecting on and renewing the mission and ministry of Grace Church. The bishop emphasized the Communion of Saints (which includes all of the Baptized) and the distinction between the world's understanding of power and the Church's understanding of power as described by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount. Besides Bishop Beckwith, the new rector, and the members and leadership of Grace Church, representatives of the Diocese of Newark and local community joined in the celebration and the reception which followed.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
All Saints’ Sunday
Procession and Solemn Mass with Blessing of the Font and Renewal of Baptismal Vows at 10 am
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Daylight Savings Time ends
Turn your clocks back 1 hour Saturday night. Hurray!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
All Saints’ Day and Celebration of a New Ministry
Pontifical Mass at 10 am
Monday, October 20, 2008
Wine-Tasting Dinner fundraiser
7 pm at Crossroads in Hillsdale
Monday, October 20, 2008
Gifts for Mariners
In response to an appeal from the Seaman's Church Institute, an organization that serves world-wide mariners, the women of St. Martha's Guild have collected and wrapped gifts to be distributed during the Christmas season. If you would like to know more about this very vital organization, plan to attend the Guild meeting on Monday, November 3rd, at 8 p.m. to hear Chaplain Marjorie Lindstrom, who has a most interesting presentation about the work of The Seaman's Institute for people who work on the oceans and rivers of the world to bring us nearly all the food and goods we use.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Stewardship Sunday
Monday, October 6, 2008
Animals Seek Blessing
Early morning showers and overcast skies were not enough to dampen the spirits of the dogs and cat that came out for their St. Francis blessing on Sunday, October 5th, 2008. After the people celebrated The Dedication of the Church at it's 10 am Mass, parishioners, friends, neighbors, dogs and cats gathered on the front lawn for this annual event. More pictures can be viewed by clicking here.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Blessing of Animals
Your pets and their support staff are welcome at noon this Sunday for our annual Saint Francis Animal Blessing.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
The Dedication of the Church
Procession and Solemn Mass at 10 am
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Dugan’s Hooligans in Concert
8 pm in church hall
Monday, September 22, 2008
Grace Youth Raise Funds for Needy Children
The youth of Grace Episcopal Church, together with CVS, raised over $1000 worth of school supplies for needy children and families. On Sunday, September 21, 2008, our youth staffed a table at the entrance to the CVS store in Westwood, and encouraged passersby to purchase school supplies for donation. Shoppers, as well as the CVS store, generously responded.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Dugan's Hooligans in Concert
"Halfway to St. Patrick's Day" parties are becoming increasingly popular. This is because there is always a good reason for a party, and an opportunity to celebrate Irish music, culture and food. Grace Church, Westwood, NJ, is pleased to host an evening of live music and Irish dance by Dugan's Hooligans, a Celtic ensemble, on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 at 8 p.m. Two sets of music, and refreshments are included in the ticket price of $20.00.
Call 201-664-0407 for tickets.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Anglo-Catholics in the Diocese of Newark
The September 2008 issue of The Voice, Newark's diocesan newspaper, includes an article by William Zanders which discusses how Anglo-Catholicism is understood and practiced in the Diocese of Newark. In addition to quotes from Bishop Beckwith and The Reverends J. Carr Holland, Brian H. Laffler and William Thiele, Graces Church's rector, The Rev'd Rob Rhodes, is liberally quoted. In the article, Fr. Rhodes said this: "For Anglo-Catholics, worship and sacramental life is not creative self-expression about God. Liturgy is not an audio-visual aid to understanding or inspirational feelings. In worship, in the liturgy, Christ is truly present and active, giving himself to the world, as an offering to the Father, through the Holy Spirit. We participate in worship by virtue of our being baptized into Christ's self-offering and giving our lives over to the ongoing work of being reshaped by the Holy Spirit into the shape of Christ's life and self-offering in prayer, devotions and the sacraments, especially in the Holy Eucharist."
The full article can be found on page 9 of The Voice, which can be downloaded by clicking here.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Holy Cross Day
Procession & Solemn Choral Eucharist 10:00am
Sunday School Begins
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Sunday School Registration
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Fr. Rhodes Profiled in Community Life
An article that appeared in the August 27, 2008 issue of Community Life about Fr. Rhodes, and the journey that led him to Westwood, can be viewed by clicking here.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Grace Church Supports St. Peter’s Haven Backpack Program
For the second year in a row this summer, Grace Church has supported the backpack program located at St. Peter’s Haven, an outreach ministry of St. Peter’s Church in Clifton, NJ. Members of the church donated four backpacks, along with many school supplies. The four backpacks were sent to St. Peter’s full of the requested items. Three were for grade school age children and the fourth for a junior/senior high student. We sent many additional school supplies to St. Peter’s also. We are happy to participate in this ministry to our friends in need, widening the circle of inclusion for children who might not otherwise have the supplies they need for school. St., Peter’s aims to distribute over 300 backpacks at a special Saturday lunch late in August.
Friday, August 15, 2008
St. Mary the Virgin
Father Rhodes con-celebrates at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in NYC at 6 p.m. All are welcome.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Transfiguration of our Lord
9 am Mass
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Church trip to see N.J. Jackals
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Mitchell Celebration Dinner
7 pm at Iron Horse
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Congratulations to Fr. John Mitchell
On July 6, 2008, the Wardens of Church of the Advent and St. John's Chapel, Cape May, New Jersey, announced that Fr. John Mitchell had been elected to be their 14th Rector. The people of Grace church are delighted that God has brought Fr. John and Advent together, and we send our assurances to the people of Advent that you have called a talented, compassionate, smart, humble, prayerful and loving man to be your shepherd.
Father John reports: "Dot and I are excited about becoming a part of Advent, a vibrant and engaged parish, and the broader Cape May community. Cape May is seaside community with deep historic roots and a real treasure throughout the year. From Grace to Advent will mean a move from one of the most northerly parishes in New Jersey to the most southerly."
Friday, July 11, 2008
Grace in the Public Square
On May 18, 2008, Grace Church sponsored a booth at the Westwood Heritage Day event in Veterans' Park. Parishioners staffed the booth throughout the day, where we handed out literature on the church and Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). Through direct contributions of fair attendees, and a silent auction of goods provided by parishioners, we were able to raise $200 for ERD to use in its Myanmar relief efforts.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Treasures of the East
Fundraising bazaar
Noon to 5 pm
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Pentecost Six
Fr. Rob Rhodes's first Sunday Mass
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Transitions
“Are you settled in yet?”
This is the question I have been asked most since Lisa and I arrived in Westwood last Friday night—a reminder, if we needed one, of the transitions we have been moving through in the last few months: the move from southern Louisiana to the northern New Jersey, the move from a small, isolated mill-town to the tightly packed towns of Bergen County, the move from simple spoken celebrations of the Holy Eucharist with hymns to decidedly Anglo-Catholic worship, and many more transitions, some of which I am aware and others which I am sure Lisa and I will only discover in the months and years to come.
I don’t know how long it takes to settle in, or what “settled in” entails exactly, but I think, in the practical ways at least, we’re getting there. If settling in requires that all of our boxes be empty and all our books on shelves, it will probably be months (or years) before we’re settled in. If it means that I can get up in the middle of the night and find my way downstairs to get a glass of water without turning on lights, I think I’m there already. But “settled in” probably means more than that.
The boxes scattered around the house in various states of unpacking are an ongoing reminder that we’re in transition, and times of transition can be both challenging and joyous. Lisa and I are still learning our way around Westwood and Bergen County. On Wednesday I celebrated my first Mass at Grace as your rector. On Sunday, June 22, I will celebrate with the wider Grace Episcopal Church community for the first time and hope to meet many more of you. Lisa and I look forward to begin the process of exploring the life of Grace Church and getting to know each of you. In and around getting boxes unpacked and out of the rectory, and besides worship, this will be my primary work in the next few months, so expect to hear from me.
I look forward to meeting you on Sunday and settling in to this community.
Pax Christi,
Father Rhodes
Monday, June 16, 2008
Interim Concluded
On Sunday, June 15, 2008, the people of Grace Church saw the active ministry of The Rev'd John P. Mitchell draw to a close. The 10 o'clock service was well attended, and the parish was honored to have Father Tom Norton concelebrate with Fr. John.
At the end of his sermon, Fr. John exhorted the people of Grace Church with these words:
"Beloved in Christ, my prayer to God and my petition to you in this place are the same. Step out joyously in fear and trembling. Step out into the unknown with confidence in yourselves and God, with the assurance of God's abundant grace, God's insistent love. Hunger and thirst after righteousness. Build and welcome the Kingdom. Be peacemakers. Fill the hungry with good things. Bring the healing presence of Christ to those who suffer. Lift up the lowly. Comfort those who mourn. Care for the desolate. Do justice. Love kindness. Claim and teach the promises of the Gospel, of God's reconciling love, of the promise of life everlasting. Praise his holy name. Make your holy thanksgiving for all that God has done for us. Abide in and be nourished by the presence of Christ. In confidence and joy, even in fear and trembling, share the harvest, give thanks, do faith, and claim the abundance of God's love. AMEN."
Addressing the crowd at a celebratory Coffee Hour after the service, Churchwarden Leslie Bisdale said this:
"We are entering an exciting time here at Grace . . . a new phase in our journey together. The hard part is, as with any transition, comes change. I--we--don't want this man to leave! And yet--we--must be ready for him to leave. We must be ready for him to leave because we have called a wonderful man and priest to be our 7th Rector. We must be ready for him to leave because he is too good of a priest not to allow him to grow more fully in his vocation, and to share with others those gifts he so graciously shared with us. We must be ready for him to leave because he has taught us to trust in God's will and call to us. It can be risky and it can be difficult when we listen to God, but it is always right. It is with tremendous gratitude and deep, deep affection--and genuine sadness-- that we can say to you, Fr. John Mitchell, because of your time here with us--we are ready. Thank you so very much."
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Pentecost Five
Fr. John Mitchell's last Mass
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Bidding Father John forth
"Not fare well, but fare forward . . ." -- T. S. Eliot, The Dry Salvages
On Sunday, June 15, 2008 at the 10 o'clock service, the people of Grace Church will witness the close of Fr. John Mitchell's active ministry as our Interim Priest, as we prepare to welcome our next Rector. Fr. John's watchcare over us will be long remembered by Grace's parishioners.
At its June meeting, the Vestry of Grace Church unanimously passed this resolution of thanks:
The Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church in Westwood expresses its sincere thanks to the Rev. John P. Mitchell for the two and a half years of his ministry as Priest of this parish. He has been a healing presence among us when this parish needed healing. He has helped this parish to discern and reaffirm its identity. He has faithfully led us in worship and has enriched our liturgical practice from the beginning of his ministry. He has been a pastor to us in both happy and difficult times, and during his tenure the bonds of affection in this parish have been strengthened. He has supported and strengthened our ministry to those in need. We shall long remember with great affection his gentle ways and sense of humor. Our parish is distinctly better for his ministry with us and we pray that soon the future direction of his ministry will be clear.
Pray for Fr. John in the days ahead as he seeks to discern how God will next make use of his considerable gifts.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Celebrating 25 Years of Service
In anno domini MMVIII,
Kathryn MacCourt,
magistrae organi et chori,
ad suam ecclesiam usque hodie reverenti,
per quinque et viginti annos semper fideli,
artificiorum musicorum et multorum et gloriosorum victori,
ex animo gratulantur
Ecclesiae in Westwood Nostrae Matris Gratiae
rector, custodes, curatores, populus, et animales.
In the year of our Lord 2008,
to Kathryn MacCourt,
organist and choir master,
even to this day selfless to her church,
through twenty-five years always faithful,
victor in musical pursuits both many and glorious,
the rector, wardens, vestry, people, and animals
of the Church of Our Lady of Grace in Westwood
give their profound thanks.
Such were the sentiments inscribed on a plaque presented to Kathryn MacCourt on Sunday, June 1, 2008. Family, friends, and well-wishers from all over the country joined the parishioners of Grace Church on that day to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the start of Ms. MacCourt's music ministry in Westwood.
Several clergymen who have worked with Ms. MacCourt at Grace Church wrote tributes to her that were read at a luncheon attended by 70 people.
The Rev'd H. Gaylord Hitchcock, fifth rector of Grace Church, wrote: "you have provided consistently superb music-both from the organ console and in your leadership of the choir, whose love and respect you have earned and maintained unflaggingly. In the Catholic tradition of Christianity, music is an element essential to the ideal of offering to God the most beautiful worship of which we are capable. To that enterprise you have continuously brought artistry, skill, dedication, and a commitment to technical excellence that truly marks you as an exemplary organist and choirmaster. Moreover, through it all, you have consistently displayed warmth and love for clergy, choristers, and parishioners alike that have made your presence at Grace Church these twenty-five years not only a matter of musical excellence and beauty, but a priceless gift that has touched hearts deeply in ways you can but dimly imagine."
The Rev'd E. Perren Hayes, friend of the parish, wrote: "Kathryn MacCourt has blessed this congregation with her ministry of music for 25 years. Her skill and knowledge of music and conducting choirs is far above the average. But far more important is the fundamental love of the Lord Jesus that shines through her life. This spiritual life of hers deeply enriches the music far beyond correct tempi. It flows down through her hands and feet to make the organ nor only beautiful, but a deeply moving support to the spirituality of all those who hear it. And the choir also sings not just correctly - and they do - but with the conviction of the meaning of the texts. Kathryn's spirit enriches their spirituality - and 'their sound goes out into all lands' as each of us moves through our week. When the Body of Christ is created each week at Grace Church, one of its strongest elements is the life and work of Kathryn MacCourt."
The Rev'd John P. Mitchell, current interim priest, wrote: "Your love for this place is expressed in a certain fierceness for the dignity of what we offer by way of praise and thanksgiving in our music. It is found in patience and a willingness to engage with the variety of liturgy. It is for the concern and attention which you lavish on the members of the choir and this parish family. It is not just professionalism as a musician, although you are a skilled, creative and conscientious musician. It is about your love for this place and its people. It is in your care for our sacramental life. It is in your love of God that is consistently expressed in your ministry to us. It is in all of these. "
Sunday, June 1, 2008
MacCourt Anniversary Event
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Solemnity of Corpus Christi
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Greetings from the Rector-Elect of Grace Church
A letter from Father Rhodes to the people of Grace Church can be downloaded here.
Father Rhodes is currently the Rector of St. Matthew's Church in Bogalusa, Louisiana. The Search Committee and Vestry discerned in Fr. Rhodes a deeply spiritual man with considerable liturgical, preaching, teaching and pastoral skills. He is anxious to begin his ministry with us, and we rejoice that God has called us together.
He and his wife, Lisa Copland, will be moving into the rectory in mid-June, and his first day as our Rector is scheduled to be Monday, June 16, 2008.
Father Rhodes is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and a graduate of General Theological Seminary in New York. While in New York he was Seminarian and then Assisting Deacon at The Church of St. Mary the Virgin. Before being Rector at St. Matthew's, he served as Curate at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Ellisville, Missouri.
Please raise up Rob and Lisa in your prayers as they prepare to move to Westwood.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Trinity Sunday
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Seventh Rector of Grace Church Announced
On Sunday, May 11, 2008 it was announced that after a long and fruitful interim God has prepared for Grace Church a Rector in the person of Father Robert R. Rhodes.
Father Rhodes is currently the Rector of St. Matthew's Church in Bogalusa, Louisiana. The Search Committee and Vestry discerned in Fr. Rhodes a deeply spiritual man with considerable liturgical, preaching, teaching and pastoral skills. He is anxious to begin his ministry with us, and we rejoice that God has called us together.
He and his wife, Lisa Copland, will be moving into the rectory in mid-June, and his first day as our Rector is scheduled to be Monday, June 16, 2008.
Father Rhodes is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and a graduate of General Theological Seminary in New York. While in New York he was Seminarian and then Assisting Deacon at The Church of St. Mary the Virgin. Before being Rector at St. Matthew's, he served as Curate at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Ellisville, Missouri.
Please raise up Rob and Lisa in your prayers as they prepare to move to Westwood.
A letter from Father Rhodes to the people of Grace Church can be downloaded here.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Pentecost
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Fund-raising Plant Sale
10 am to 2 pm on church lawn
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Rosaries for Seamen Ministry
Every day we use goods, products and food transported to us across the oceans and in-land waterways of the world, probably without a thought for the hard and lonely lives of the seamen who make this possible for us.
Since 1834, the Seamen’s Church Institute, affiliated with the Episcopal Church, has been attending to the spiritual and physical needs of merchant seamen. A recent visit from Mother Marjorie Lindstrom, a Chaplain for the Institute at Port Newark, prompted Kathryn MacCourt to ask her if she ever gets requests for rosaries. When the answer was “Yes!” Kathryn generously contributed her time and obtained the needed materials that resulted in an evening of rosary making by the St. Martha’s Guild. When the project is finished, 50 rosaries will be donated to the Seamen’s Church Institute as part of the outreach efforts of the Guild.
On Sunday May 4 the Grace Doves enter their 12th season competing in the Pascack Valley Church Softball League, opening the defense of their third championship against rival Hillsdale United Methodist Church. All games are played at the George White School fields in Hillsdale at 1:30 on Sundays through the end of June except Mothers’ Day, Memorial Day Sunday and June 1. Men and women 25 years and older are eligible to play plus up to three younger persons to push the elders around the bases. Other churches participating are Westwood Methodist and Parkside Community. Anyone interested in playing may contact Tom Bisdale at (201) 666-0763.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Grantees in the News
Episcopal Community Development, which is financially supported by Grace Church, was featured in a televised newscast on Channel 12 News on Saturday, April 26. Click here to download the broadcast on ECD's efforts forestall foreclosures in Newark, and to rehabilitate those properties that have been foreclosed. Our own Mary Sunden is past president of the ECD board and is currently its treasurer.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Search Committee Honored
Members of the Search Committee gathered at the altar rail on Sunday, April 27, where they were publicly thanked for their hard work and dedication in seeking candidates for the position of Rector of Grace Church. This opportunity to acknowledge their work concluded with this prayer:
Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself: We give thanks to you that in all parts of the earth, but especially in this place, a community of love has been gathered together by the gift of your Spirit and the prayers and labors of your servants, a community called to proclaim your good news of love and redemption.
We give thanks to you for setting us at tasks which demand our best, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us. This day we give you our thanks for calling those who have willingly and tirelessly worked, and guided by your Spirit, prayed to discern a priest called to this parish community as a teacher, a leader, a counselor, companion in the way to which you call all of us, one who will pray with us and celebrate the presence of Christ among us.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
GraceTube? Grace Makes YouTube Debut
Father John P. Mitchell's sermon on Sunday, April 13, 2008 can be viewed by clicking here.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
"They that go down to the sea in ships . . ."
- Psalm 107:23
On Sunday, April 6, Grace Church welcomed Mother Marge Lindstrom as preacher and celebrant at its 8 and 10 am services. Mother Lindstrom's ministry is with The Seamen's Church Institute where she is one of three full-time Chaplains at Port Newark. After the Coffee Hour, she was able to update us on the work of the Institute, a ministry that Grace Church has supported as part of its Outside Giving for the past several years. Our St. Martha's Guild has also supported them through the donation of knitted goods and personal hygiene items.
The Seamen's Church Institute advocates for the personal, professional, and spiritual well being of merchant mariners around the world. The Institute promotes safety, dignity, and improved working and living conditions for millions of men and women serving in the maritime workplace. Founded in 1834, the Institute is a voluntary, ecumenical agency affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
On Maundy Thursday, with great hope and expectation, the Search Committee recommended four priests of the Episcopal Church for the Vestry’s consideration in calling the seventh rector of Grace Church. All are extraordinary priests who have the strong support of the Committee.
Since receiving its charge in March of last year, the Committee sent letters to approximately 220 priests whose profiles appeared to be possible matches with Grace Church as they appear on the computer matching program maintained by the national Church Deployment Office (CDO). In response to these letters, Grace’s posting on the CDO site as well as on personal recommendation, it received over 50 applications, each of which was considered by the entire Committee. From these candidates, 29 from across the nation and as far away as Australia were interviewed by telephone (or computer video) by rotating teams of Committee members. After discussion of each of these interviews by the entire Committee, 13 were invited to Grace to meet over dinner with the Committee as well as to tour the church, rectory and community. Five of these were subsequently visited remotely, for the most part in their home parishes, where they were observed preaching and celebrating Mass and the visitors had an opportunity to meet further with them and their spouses, where applicable.
The committee now prays for the Vestry as it embarks on its part in the discernment of our next rector:
Almighty God, Giver of every good gift: look graciously on your Church, and guide the hearts and minds of those who shall choose a rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p. 818)
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter Day
8:00 a.m. Said Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Procession and Festal Eucharist
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Holy Saturday
8:00 p.m. Great Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter
Friday, March 21, 2008
Good Friday
12 noon. Westwood Walk of Faith begins at Zion Lutheran Church
4:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross
8:00 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Maundy Thursday
4-5:30 Reconciliation, Prayers for Healing and Anointing
8:00 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Foot Washing, Stripping of the Altar and Procession to the Altar of Repose
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Eastertide at Grace
Easter is not over. In a real sense we celebrate Easter everyday and especially on each Sunday of the year. But there is also an Easter season. For the seven weeks following Easter Day we continue to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection. We continue to be in Easter white and to hear stories of those first days. The fiftieth day is Pentecost Sunday when we celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit and beginning of the work of the earliest apostles and the church.
Come join us. It is not over yet. It is just beginning. You are always welcome at Grace in Westwood. Sunday services are at 8 and 10 am. with Sunday school and child care provided at 10am. We look forward to seeing you.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Wednesday in Holy Week
9:00 am Morning Prayer
9:15 am Holy Eucharist with Anointing and Prayers for Healing
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Palm Sunday
8:00 a.m. Blessing of Palms and Said Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Liturgy of Palms, Procession and Solemn Eucharist
Friday, March 14, 2008
Grace Episcopal Church Celebrates Holy Week and Easter
WESTWOOD, NJ – March 5, 2008 – Grace Episcopal Church will celebrate the solemn days of Holy Week and the joyous days of Easter beginning with Palm Sunday on March 16 and continuing through Easter Sunday, March 23. All members of the community are invited to join the congregation for these services.
On Palm Sunday, March 16, there will be the Blessing of Palms and Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m. and a Blessing of Palms, Procession, and Solemn Choral Eucharist at 10 a.m. Palm Sunday begins with the celebration of Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem and ends with the story of his Passion. Holy Week continues with the Maundy Thursday mass at 8 p.m. on March 20. This service commemorates the Last Supper, the final meeting Christ had with his disciples. As part of this service, there will be the washing of the feet, stripping of the altar, and a procession to the Altar of Repose -- acts which combine narrative from scripture and ancient tradition. . The service concludes with an all-night watch at the Altar of Repose, commemorating the night in which Jesus went to the garden to pray before he was betrayed and handed over to the Roman soldiers. The watch answers Christ’s biblical question to his disciples: “Can you not watch with me one hour?”
Services continue on Good Friday, March 21, with the Good Friday Walk of Faith, an annual program of the Westwood Clergy Council. This interfaith event will begin at the United Methodist Church in Westwood at Noon. A traditional service of the Stations of the Cross will begin at 4:30 p.m. and the formal Good Friday liturgy begins at 8 p.m. The Good Friday service commemorates Christ’s walk to Calvary where he is nailed to the cross, crucified, and dies. This service includes veneration of the cross.
On Saturday, March 22, Grace Church will celebrate the first mass of Easter with the Easter Vigil. Perhaps one of the most dramatic services of the year, the liturgy begins in darkness with the kindling of the first light of Easter. A festive reception follows this beautiful service. On Easter Sunday, March 23, Easter Sunday will be celebrated with a Said Mass at 8 a.m. and a Procession and Festal Choral Eucharist at 10 a.m.
During the week, the Sacrament of Reconciliation,, Anointing and Prayers for Healing will be offered Thursday, March 20 from 4 – 5:30 p.m. and by appointment. On Wednesday morning, March 19 at 9:15 a.m., there will be a Holy Eucharist with Anointing and Prayers for Healing.
All are welcome to join us in observance and celebration. Grace Church is located in Northern New Jersey at 9 Harrington Avenue at the Five Corners in Westwood. For more information on Holy Week and Easter Services, or for more information on Grace Church, please call 201-664-0407.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Set your clocks ahead one hour before retiring. Aargh . . .
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Rose Sunday
Simnel Cake served at Coffee Hour
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Tuesday Lent Programs
February 19
February 26
March 4
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Ash Wednesday
Imposition of ashes at 9:15 am, 5 pm and 8 pm services
Attended on our behalf by Fr. John, Rev. Delaney, Tom Bisdale, Andy Smethurst and Mary Sunden. Click here for pictures.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Tuesday Soup and Prayer
On three Tuesday evenings in Lent, February 19th and 26th and March 4th, we will come together for prayer and meditation followed by a light supper of soup and reflection. The evening will begin with an informal time of prayer and meditation at 7:00 pm, followed at 7:45 pm by soup and bread provided by different members of the parish. Feel free to come for any part of the time of prayer or just for supper. The prayer time is designed for those whose trains or buses run late or who just have busy schedule. Bring your own sandwich as well or just enjoy the soup. If you have a neighbor or friend who you think might enjoy this quiet time be sure to bring them along. All are welcome.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Youth in the Season of Lent
Lent is a season for reflection. This year there will be a special time for the younger set. We will meet late Tuesday afternoon for a time of reflection, conversation and a snack. Planned meetings are for February 19 and 26 and March 4 and 10. This is a program designed for a range of ages. All are welcome. Meeting time will be 4:30 pm or as soon as you can make it. We will gather in the lounge downstairs. See you then.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Congratulations to Our New Office Holders
Following are the names of those elected to Grace Church offices at the Annual Meeting January 27th.
Warden
Leslie Bisdale for a two-year term
Vestry
Theresa Okunlola for an unexpired two-year term
Cleta McCormick for a three-year term
James Cloke for a three-year term
Katie Landi for a three-year term
Dave Thomas for a three-year term
Deputy to diocesan convention
Thomas Bisdale for a three-year term
Alternate deputy to diocesan convention
James Davidson for a two-year term
Anne Tait for a three-year term
Representative to District Nine
Mary Sunden for a one-year term
Anne Tait for a one-year term
Iyiolu Okunlola for youth representative
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Annual Meeting
11:30 am
Friday, January 25, 2008
Diocesan Convention
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Nominnees for Election at the Annual Meeting January 27th, 2008
Following are the names of nominees for election to Grace Church offices at the Annual Meeting January 27th.
Warden
Leslie Bisdale for a two-year term
Vestry
Theresa Okunlola for an unexpired two-year term
Cleta McCormick for a three-year term
James Cloke for a three-year term
Katie Landi for a three-year term
Dave Thomas for a three-year term
Deputy to diocesan convention
Thomas Bisdale for a three-year term
Alternate deputy to diocesan convention
James Davidson for a two-year term
Anne Tait for a three-year term
Representative to District Nine
Mary Sunden for a one-year term
Anne Tait for a one-year term
Iyiolu Okunlola for youth representative
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The Baptism of Our Lord
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Nominating Committee Report
Warden Class of 2010
Leslie Bisdale
(Two year term)
Vestry Class of 2010
Theresa Okunlola
(Two year unexpired term)
Vestry Class of 2011
Cleta McCormick
(Three year term)
James Cloke
Katie Landi
Dave Thomas
Deputy to Diocesan Convention
Thomas Bisdale
Class of 2011
(Three year term)
Alternate Deputy to Diocesan Convention
James Davidson
Class of 2010
(Three year term)
Class of 2011
Anne Tait
(Three year term)
Representatives to District Nine
Mary Sunden
(One Year Term)
Anne Tait
Iyiolu Okunlola
Sunday, January 6, 2008
The Epiphany
Holy Eucharist 8:00am
Procession & Solemn Choral Eucharist 10:00am
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Feast of the Holy Name
Solemn Choral Eucharist 10:00 am
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Christmas Lessons and Carols
8 and 10 am
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Holy Eucharist
With anointing and prayer for healing
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Morning Prayer
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas Day
Christmas Day Eucharist 9:30 am
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Eve
Family Eucharist and Christmas Pageant 4:00pm
Traditional “Midnight” Solemn Choral Mass 11:00 pm (music begins at 10:30)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Advent 4
Greening of the Church following services
Monday, December 17, 2007
Christmas Outreach
Despite icy roads, Sunday, December 16th saw an inrush of wrapped Christmas gifts from parishioners to be distributed to children of prisoners. Each year since 1999, Grace Church's participation in Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree program has been a vital part of the church's celebration of the Nativity. On Saturday the 22nd, volunteers will be distributing the gifts of clothing and toys, mostly to youngsters in the East Orange, New Jersey, area.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Wassail Party
7 pm at the Sundens’ home
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Church School Pursues Outreach Projects
The children in our Church School have been involved in various outreach projects that are worth noting: in the autumn they helped beautify our grounds by planting mums; in October they put together candy bags that were distributed to disadvantaged children in Fair Lawn; in November they held a Bake Sale that raised $117 for the Ramapo Animal Reserve in Oakland; and in December they will be making Christmas ornaments to brighten the lives of those in need. The Journey To Adulthood (J2A) curriculum they are using encourages the students to identify, develop and manage their own outreach projects. Let them be an example to us all.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The Dove
The latest issue of our parish newsletter can be viewed or downloaded by clicking here.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
First Sunday of Advent
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Feast of Christ the King
Festal Choral Eucharsit 10:00 am
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thanksgiving Eve
Holy Eucharist 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 10, 2007
District Nine Pot Luck Supper
We‛ll be hosting the third Episcopal community potluck dinner from 6 until 9 pm. Many of us had a great time at the first two dinners held in Oradell. Please plan on attending.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Feast of All Saints Observed
7:45 am Morning Prayer
8 am Said Holy Eucharist
10 am Sung Solemn Mass and Holy Baptism
Monday, October 29, 2007
Wine Tasting Fund Raiser
Grace Church will host a benefit Wine Tasting on Monday, October 29th at The Cornerstone Restaurant in Hillsdale. This will be a sit-down event featuring tasting of five winds artfully paired with delicacies from the Cornerstone kitchen. The cost is $45 per person. The wines will be provided by Leonard Kreusch, Inc. All are invited to this fun and educational evening. Reserve at gracewestwood@gmail.com or call John Schneider at 201-666-0548. The restaurant is at 84 Broadway in Hillsdale, NJ.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Stewardship Sunday with Potluck Luncheon
In addition to our every member canvas, we‛ll be having a Potluck luncheon that day. Look for details to come.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Feast of Dedication
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Garage Sale
Grace Church is hosting a benefit garage sale in its large parish hall on Saturday, October 13th from 8 am until 3 pm. All summer the good people of the church have been collecting together treasurers and trinkets to offer for sale, and advance peaks reveal a wide range of merchandise. Fresh, home-made baked goods will also be offered for sale. Come early and often!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Giant Garage Sale
Grace Church is hosting a benefit garage sale in its large parish hall on Saturday, October 13th from 8 am until 3 pm. All summer the good people of the church have been collecting together treasurers and trinkets to offer for sale, and advance peaks reveal a wide range of merchandise. Fresh, home-made baked goods will also be offered for sale. Come early and often!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Benefit Wine Tasting
Grace Church will host a benefit Wine Tasting on Monday, October 29th at The Cornerstone Restaurant in Hillsdale. This will be a sit-down event featuring tasting of five winds artfully paired with delicacies from the Cornerstone kitchen. The cost is $45 per person. The wines will be provided by Leonard Kreusch, Inc. All are invited to this fun and educational evening. Reserve at gracewestwood@gmail.com or call John Schneider at 201-666-0548. The restaurant is at 84 Broadway in Hillsdale, NJ.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Blessing of Animals
Your pets (or stuffed surrogates) and their support staff are welcome at noon this Sunday for our annual St. Francis Animal Blessing.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Search Committee Continues Discernment Process
Please keep the Search Committee in your prayers as they continue interviewing priests who have shown interest in being our next rector. In the initial phase of its search, the committee received applications from a good number of diverse and interesting candidates and interviewed many of them, but so far has been unable to present any candidates to the Vestry due to withdrawals and other factors. The Committee has resumed its task to discern candidates who God might be calling into ministry with us and who will join us in seeking and serving Christ in all people through:
-
Worshiping together in the rich prayer book liturgies in the Anglo-Catholic tradition
-
Strengthening the bonds that unite us
-
Telling the Gospel story to the world and
-
Serving those in need by both our care and prayers
A copy of the Profile of Grace Church can be downloaded by clicking
here. Further queries related to the search process can be made to
search@gracewestwood.org or by phone at (212) 399-7121.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Sunday School Registration
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
St. Mary the Virgin
Monday, August 6, 2007
The Transfiguration of our Lord
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Search Committee Continues Discernment Process
Please keep the Search Committee in your prayers as they begin interviewing priests who have shown interest in being our next rector. The Committee's task now is to discern candidates who God might be calling into ministry with us and who will join us in seeking and serving Christ in all people through:
-
Worshiping together in the rich prayer book liturgies in the Anglo-Catholic tradition
-
Strengthening the bonds that unite us
-
Telling the Gospel story to the world and
-
Serving those in need by both our care and prayers
A copy of the Profile of Grace Church can be downloaded by clicking
here. Further queries related to the search process can be made to
search@gracewestwood.org or by phone at (212) 399-7121.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Church trip to see N.J. Jackals
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The (Mighty) Doves (of Grace) Triumphant
Capitalizing on a combination of youth and, shall we say, experience,
the Grace Doves softball team completed the six games of the regular
schedule undefeated and clinched its third league championship since
2002. All of the games were hard fought, including one 10 inning
marathon. The season was blessed with consistently good weather and the
good fellowship and sportsmanship of competitors Hillsdale Methodist,
Westwood Methodist and Parkside Community churches. The championship
trophy will reside at Grace for the next year once it is repaired of
flood damage suffered this spring while with last year's champions,
Hillsdale Methodist.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Solemnity of Corpus Christi
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Trinity Sunday
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Pentecost
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Solemnity of the Ascension
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Ascension
8:00 pm
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Search Committee Begins Discernment Process
Please keep the Search Committee in your prayers as they begin reviewing materials supplied by priests who have shown interest in
being our next rector. The Committee's task now is to discern candidates who God might be calling into ministry with us and who will join us in seeking and serving Christ in all people through:
-
Worshiping together in the rich prayer book liturgies in the Anglo-Catholic tradition
-
Strengthening the bonds that unite us
-
Telling the Gospel story to the world and
-
Serving those in need by both our care and prayers
A copy of the Profile of Grace Church can be downloaded by clicking
here. Further queries related to the search process can be made to
search@gracewestwood.org or by phone at (212) 399-7121.
The latest edition of the parish newsletter can be viewed or downloaded by clicking here.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Easter Day
Said Mass, 8 am
Procession and Festive Mass, 10 am
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Holy Saturday
Great Vigil and First Mass of Easter, 8 pm
Friday, April 6, 2007
Good Friday
Town-wide Walk of Faith beginning at Methodist Church, 12 noon
Stations of the Cross, 4:30 pm
Good Friday Liturgy (Mass of the Pre-Sanctified, Veneration of the Cross), 8 pm
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Maundy Thursday
Sacrament of Reconciliation, Anointing and Prayers for Healing, 4 to 5 pm
Mass of The Lord's Supper, Foot Washing, Stripping of the Altar and Procession to the Altar of Repose, 8 pm
All-night Vigil in the Garden, 10 pm to 11 am
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Wednesday in Holy Week
Morning Prayer, 9 am
Holy Eucharist with Anointing and Prayers for Healing, 9:15 am
Monday, April 2, 2007
Monday in Holy Week
Sacrament of Reconciliation, Anointing and Prayers for Healing, 3 to 4 pm
Benediction, 8 pm
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Palm Sunday
Blessing of Palms and Said Mass, 8 am
Liturgy of Palms, Procession and Solemn Mass, 10 am
During the faithful and continued committed leadership of our interim priest, Father John Mitchell, Grace Church has prepared itself to welcome a new rector. We are now actively searching to call our next pastor. Mindful of to what we are called in the First and Great Commandment and in our Baptismal Covenant, we seek a priest to join us in seeking and serving Christ in all people through:
-
Worshiping together in the rich prayer book liturgies in the Anglo-Catholic tradition
-
Strengthening the bonds that unite us
-
Telling the Gospel story to the world and
-
Serving those in need by both our care and prayers
If you are a priest who feels that God may be calling you to join us in our ministry, please download our Profile by clicking here. The chairman of our search committee is Earl Hedin and the secretary Thomas Bisdale. You may contact them by email at search@gracewestwood.org or by phone at (212) 399-7121. Applications are being accepted through May 15, 2007.
You can download a copy of our recently produced profile by clicking here.
If you are a priest and interested in more information, please
contact search@gracewestwood.org
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Ash Wednesday
Imposition of ashes at 9:15 am and 8 pm services
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Tuesday Soup and Prayer
On four Tuesday evenings in Lent we will come together for prayer and meditation followed by a light supper of soup and reflection. This program will be held on February 27, March 6, 20 and 27. The evening will begin with an informal time of prayer and meditation at 7:00 pm, followed at 7:45 pm by soup and bread provided by different members of the parish. Feel free to come for any part of the time of prayer or just for supper. The prayer time is designed for those whose trains or buses run late or who just have busy schedule. Bring your own sandwich as well or just enjoy the soup. All are welcome.
Photographs taken Saturday, January 27, 2007 at the consecration of the 10th Bishop of Newark can be viewed by clicking here
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Consecration of the Tenth Bishop of Newark
All are welcome
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Search Committee Update
The Search Committee will shortly begin its very important task of finding and then presenting a minimum of three highly qualified candidates for Rector of Grace Church to the Vestry for final selection. The Committee had its kick-off meeting with Canon Echols here at Grace Church on Tuesday, January 16th. We will be consulting with the Vestry throughout the process and we also endeavor to keep the congregation apprised of the Committee's progress as well; however, we will not be able to talk about any specific candidates.
The members of the committee include three vestry members and nine other members from the congregation. The Search Committee members are:
Tom Bisdale, Jim Freeman (Vestry), Mickey Hafemann, Earl Hedin, Elaine Martin, Aki Okunlola, Evans Roache, Cookie Smethurst (Vestry), Nancy Sobeck, Daisy Toppin, Jack Waneck (Vestry)and Maureen Wandell. The Chairman of the Committee is Earl Hedin and Tom Bisdale will serve as Secretary.
The first steps are to work with the Office of the Bishop and the members of the congregation to develop the largest possible list of potential clergy that match as closely to the Profile and "Position Responsibilities and Related Skills" section of the Parish Search Request that is approved by the Vestry.
The Vestry as set side money for this search process as part of a Search Committee budget, thanks to the generous support of all the members of the congregation.
We ask for your prayers and guidance from the Holy Spirit as we search for the best potential candidates that will lead Grace Church in God's work in the years to come.
On Sunday, January 7th, 2007, Fr. Gaylord Hitchcock, the fifth rector of Grace Church, was our guest celebrant on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Other special guests included Fr. Alan Chisholm and Fr. Thomas Norton. Click here for photographs taken that day.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Congratulations to Our New Office Holders
Following are the names of those elected to Grace Church offices at the Annual Meeting January 14th.
Warden
Larry Sunden for a two-year term
Vestry
Cleta McCormick for an unexpired one-year term
Ben Martin for a three-year term
Leslie Bisdale for a three-year term
Harry Randall for a three-year term
Deputy to diocesan convention
Mary Sunden for a three-year term
Alternate deputy to diocesan convention
Anne Tait for a three-year term
Representative to District Nine
Mary Sunden for a one-year term
Anne Tait for a one-year term
Iyiolu Okunlola for youth representative
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Annual Meeting
11:45 am
Sunday, January 7, 2007
The Solemnity of The Epiphany and The Baptism of Our Lord
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Nominnees for Election at the Annual Meeting January 14th, 2007
Following are the names of nominees for election to Grace Church offices at the Annual Meeting January 14th.
Warden
Larry Sunden for a two-year term
Vestry
Cleta McCormick for an unexpired one-year term
Ben Martin for a three-year term
Leslie Bisdale for a three-year term
Harry Randall for a three-year term
Deputy to diocesan convention
Mary Sunden for a three-year term
Alternate deputy to diocesan convention
Anne Tait for a three-year term
Representative to District Nine
Mary Sunden for a one-year term
Anne Tait for a one-year term
Iyiolu Okunlola for youth representative
Monday, January 1, 2007
Feast of the Holy Name
10 am
Monday, December 25, 2006
Christmas Day Mass
10 am
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Christmas Eve
Morning Prayer 9:15 am
Advent IV Mass at 9:30 am followed by Greening of the Church
Christmas Eve Mass including Pageant of the Christmas Story at 4 pm
Midnight Mass of Christmas Eve at 11 pm, preceded by Christmas Music
at 10:30 pm
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Wassail Party
Starting at 7 pm at the home of Jack and Joan Waneck
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Caroling
Meet at church at 5:30 pm
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Search Committee Announced
The Wardens and Vestry are pleased to announce the formation of a
search committee to seek, evaluate and recommend candidates to be the
seventh Rector of Grace Episcopal Church. Earl Hedin will chair the
committee, and Tom Bisdale will be the secretary. Other committee
members are Jim Freeman, Mickey Hafemann, Elaine Martin, Aki
Okunlola, Evans Roache, Cookie Smethurst, Nancy Sobeck, Daisy Toppin,
Jack Waneck, and Maureen Wandell. Please keep these people and this
committee in your prayers.
The latest edition of the parish newsletter can be viewed or downloaded by clicking here.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
2006 Individual Survey
Download a copy of the Individual Survey. We will be using the data gathered about Grace Church in the survey, to help us write a Profile of the parish. All parishioners, high school aged and up, may fill out a survey. You can email the completed survey back to GECsurvey@gmail.com or return a printed copy to the church office.
AS WE SEEK to grow in grace and love, making God our heart's desire, we naturally ask ourselves what God seeks from us. The Biblical witness is clear that the call to love our Lord includes a response on our part: returning time, talent, and treasure to the One who gives us so much.
