A Behind-the-Scenes Phenomena

She certainly will not be comfortable with that title. Organizing people, reviewing the schedules, cleaning the vessels, preparing for Holy Days, making sure that the church was ready was what she did so magnificently. Mary Ann Urbashich has just stepped down as our Altar Guild/Sacristan Chair. Her dedication, love of liturgy, love of God and love of Grace have been the central pieces that have allowed of us to worship in this church we call Grace.

On behalf of the staff, vestry and congregation, I thank you Mary Ann for all that you have done. You have followed in the footsteps of Hella Westbrook, Jean Radford, Chuck Tupta and the many other leaders who have served our 134 year history. Thank you!

I am pleased to announce that Al Papillon, member of the 9 am service and Hansi Kess, member of the 10:30, have stepped in to lead the already amazing team of Altar Guild members. They have made a commitment through May and will gather with me and others at that time to see where the leadership is going next.

Please also thank all of the members of the Altar Guild who so faithfully and quietly prepare Grace for worship: Joan Anderson, Doug Lucé, Sally Prescott, Willie Polite, Heather Bovell, Flora Green, Jane Shirley, Marie Rock, Natalie Ratz, Kathy Onayemi, Al Papillon and Hansi Kess (and Lil Hohmann as bread baker coordinator).

Speaking of Altar Guild/Sacristan Ministry: Are you looking for a way to be involved with Grace that gives you a sense of awe and wonder? Working with this ministry was one of my favorite volunteer ministries as a youth and young adult. I lived being able to go into my church when it was quiet, when it was chaotic and preparing that sacred space so that others could come and worship. Take a moment to pray about whether this opportunity might be speaking to you. We have folks who come on Saturdays, on Sundays before after the 9 am and 10:30 services, during the week and a vast array of other times.

Let us give thanks to Mary Ann the entire Altar Guild/Sacristan Team!

-Shawn

shawnschreiner@sbcglobal.net 

School resumed for Sandy Hook in a new building. Parent-volunteers have worked to ensure that the students were welcomed back by a winter wonderland, with the entire school decorated with as many unique snowflakes as possible. While they were asking for homemade paper snowflakes - as many snowflakes as we can make - to decorate the school, they are pleased to report that more snowflakes have been received than could possibly be displayed. Snowflakes from across the country hang from the ceiling, windows, bulletin boards, doors, and desks. Sandy Hook students will be allowed to take some home, so they will be replenishing them daily.

Even though the snowflake quota was met handily, Grace Church will participate in this snowflake-making initiative on Sunday, Jan. 6, immediately following the 9 a.m. service. Our snowflakes will adorn our own space in tribute.  All are invited to join us in the Parish Hall.  Materials will be provided but feel free to bring any additional supplies such as glitter-glue, etc. For information, please contact Sue Montgomery at msusanmontgomery@gmail.com.

You are most cordially invited to a festive Evensong and reception honoring the 90th "birthday" of our magnificent pipe organ! Our instrument, one of the ten largest in the metropolitan area, was built and installed in 1922. We will celebrate its anniversary on Sunday, January 27 at 4:00 p.m. Featured will be the Schola, Madrigal and Adult choirs of Grace Church and, Parish Musician Dennis Northway will play the prelude and a 'mini" recital as a postlude of the Evensong. A festive reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

Two separate contracts, one date January 31st, 1922 and the second, dated March 21st, 1922, the first for the front organ and the latter for the rear organ began the history of our beautiful 1922 Casavant Pipe Organ Opus 940 of the company. The Englishman, George H. Clark, the Organist and Choirmaster of Grace Church, was also the sales representative for the Casavant Pipe Organ Company of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec. This instrument was to be one of the largest in the metropolitan area; and was put in in the same year as the organ at St. Luke parish in Evanston; both buildings designed by John Sutcliffe, a member of Grace Church.

The head of the music committee Albert Cotsworth was also a great lover of the pipe organ. He and the Organist/Choirmaster envisioned a grand organ for the great space. They also wanted to make a splash at its inauguration! And a splash they procured. The most celebrated organist in the world at the time, Messr. Marcel Dupré of Paris was invited to play the dedicatory recital in December of 1922. It was a grand event. Messr. Dupré was also invited back in 1947 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the installation of the organ. A similar parish-wide celebration occurred for the 50th and 75th anniversaries of the instrument.

We are using this anniversary to celebrate the music ministry of Grace Church. Dennis Northway will play music that might have been heard in the 1920's and will also play Marcel Dupré's Cortège et Litanie to pay homage to the recitals from the 1920's and 1940's that were performed by him on Grace's instrument. To celebrate the current Parish Musician's tenure, the choral music for the service will be all composed by Dennis Northway.

We hope you will attend this festive event!