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February
Birthdays
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Birthdays
Cheryl Adams
Dr. Rudy Archer
Errol Bailey
Michael Baptiste
Chris Balenson Colwell
Robert Colwell
Peter Forbes
Colleen Gibney
Gemma Gibney
John Heyward |
Birthdays
Gail
MacQuaide
Nii Mills
Rev. Theodore Moore
Maryadele O’Neil
Gerald Sarpong
Shyna’a Sarpong
Jeff Scott
Tina Sorsor
Joe Testori
Grace Woodall-MacQuaide |
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Spanish
Mission at Grace
Padre Ed Chinery
It’s difficult to say which part of Grace
Church’s Spanish Mission work is the most
exciting:
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The crowd that gathered on Nochebuena
(Christmas Eve for all you
Englishspeakers!) to baptize baby Jael
was great fun.
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Learning new canciones (that’s songs),
as the liturgical seasons change, is
enlivening.
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Enjoying delicious light meals prepared
and served by Gisella (and often Libya
also!) refreshes the body
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And participating in the liturgy itself
is what always restores the soul for me
– but you’d expect that I suppose!
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But perhaps the most exciting
development is the growing commitment of
our teaching volunteers. Dawn and Bev
have been so helpful! God bless them!
And now, thanks to the assistance of
Madre Carolina, we’ve added Gorqui and
Natasha. This takes what has already
been a kind and devoted commitment, and
expands the love, the joy, the peace,
patience and kindness, the generosity
and faithfulness, the gentleness and
self-control (to borrow from St. Paul’s
letter to the Galatians!), so that the
Grace Church community can honestly say
we are on the move!!!
We are marching in the light of God!
 Yes.
We are called to keep moving, that’s for
sure! In part, our movement in the Spirit is
guided by the progress of our
student-parishioners. Their skills are
advancing, so we try to keep up with them.
Our generous parishioner-volunteers have
helped bring us to this new place where we
can really see what new thing God is
continually calling us to become.
And so it will not surprise you to learn
that, with the guidance and encouragement of
Madre Carolina, I am continuing to
investigate ways to increase funding for
this program. Initial research has already
been conducted regarding potential private
foundation revenues – and more such research
will be necessary as we proceed. Local
services have been identified that we may be
able to partner with in order to keep
improving our education component – these
students learn fast!
It is an unfortunate reality in this
process, however, that a single ¼ time
position is barely sufficient to manage all
aspects of planning and presiding over
liturgy, foodprovision and learning.
The position is certainly underfunded if the
parish’s expectation is that grantssearching
and other related administrative functions
will simply be added. Therefore I am
requesting assistance from at least two
parishioners to form a small grant writing
team – no prior experience necessary!
Grace Church has risen to a noble call. We
have been called to respond to the
undeniable need in our midst to not only
provide the comfort of Eucharistic Christian
worship in the mother-tongue of our
mono-lingual neighbors, we also are called
to provide support service in conjunction
with gathering in God’s name and at Christ’s
command.
Please pray, won’t you? Pray about how Grace
Church will continue to live into this call.
Pray about how parish funding might be
structured to allow for the growth of this
mission – a mission Grace Church chose
through thoughtful and authentic
discernment.
Discover the movement of the Spirit within
you, and you will discover a way of
providing sustained support – be it food
provision, ESL-assistant volunteering, or
grants-writing assistance to this vital
ministry of Grace Church.
We, at the Spanish Mission will continue to
pray for all of Grace Church’s community
during our lively Sagrada Eucharistía –
¡CADA sábado! (EVERY Saturday!)
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2012 Black History Month at Grace Church
Theme: Becoming the
Anti-Racist Society
“I have a dream that my four little
children will one day live in a nation
where they will not be judged by
the color of their skin, but by the
content of their character.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
February 12 and 19
Reading and discussion of
“Women of Brewster Place”
by Gloria Naylor, led by Karen Moore.
February 26
Reading and discussion of an August
Wilson play (TBD), led by Karen Moore.
 Monday,
January 16, 2012, 3:00 PM -Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day
Guest Speaker, Matilde Moros, M.Div. ABD,
Assistant Dean for Special Program and
Initiatives at New Brunswick Theological
Seminary.
Professor Moros holds a Master of
Theological Studies degree from Harvard
University Divinity School, as Master of
Divinity degree from Princeton Seminary and
is a candidate for the Ph.D. in Religion and
Society at Drew University. Having grown up
in Venezuela and the United States,
Professor Moros has served the Presbyterian
Church (USA) in Colombia, Venezuela, and the
United States in congregational, seminary
and denominational settings.
She has also served as Interim Director of
the Hispanic/Latino(a) Leadership Program at
Princeton Theological Seminary and as
Program and Grants Manager for People and
Stories, an organization that reaches
underserved populations through the arts.
Saturday, February 4, 6:00 to 7:30 PM -
Dramatic Reading
Parish Hall
African American actors reading Shakespeare
and other poets.
Directed by Antu Yacob.
Saturday, February 11, 6:00 PM - Black
History Gala Dinner
Featuring foods from the African Diaspora.
Special Presentation:
“Becoming the Anti-Racist Church"
Rt. Rev. George E. Councell, Bishop of the
Diocese of New Jersey and Rev. Terrance
Rosheuvel, founder and former Chairperson of
the Anti-Racism Commission of the Diocese of
New Jersey.
Sunday, February 12, 10:30 AM - Holy
Eucharist
Special Readings, Slave Narratives and
African American Poetry during worship
Sunday, February 12, 5:00 PM - Evensong,
Feast of Absalom Jones
Preacher, Rev. Dr. Francisco Pozo,
Chairperson of the Hispanic Commission;
Vicar, Cristo Rey, Trenton, Diocese of New
Jersey
Sunday, February 26, 10:30 AM - Youth &
Family Sunday
Special children’s readings of African
American stories in worship
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Diocese of New Jersey Biennial Anitracism
Conference
Deacon Ted Moore
The conference was held on November 12, 2011
in Synod Hall, Trinity Cathedral, Trenton,
NJ. Attendance was approximately 65-70
people. Spanish translation was provided for
5-7 attendees. The conference leader was
Rev. Joseph Barndt.
The presentation was done in two parts: Part
A was held from 10:15 – 12 Noon. Topics
included an introduction, remembering the
theological foundation for understanding and
resisting racism, defining racism and the
current reality of racism in the year 2011,
reflections on the history of racism and
resistance within and outside of the church
and celebrating the theological basis for
the establishment of an anti-racist
identity. Part B from 12:45 – 2:30 PM
focused on digging deeper into institutional
racism, the ongoing task of becoming an
anti-racist church; what does it take to
become an anti-racist New Jersey Diocese?
What is the long range institutional
transformation? Where are we now? What are
the next steps?
Rev Joe Barndt gave us the rallying words
for the day: Press On! Press On!
ASSESSMENT
All of us are still learning, getting
started in the process of understanding and
dismantling racism Most of us have been
through the 2.5 day training and we are
wondering how long will it take? What will
we have to do to seal the deal? God has
called us to do this work and carried us
into this room today. We are encouraged by
Hebrews 12: verses 1-2, “As for us, we have
this large crowd of witnesses around us. So
then, let us rid ourselves of everything
that gets in the way, and of the sin which
holds on to us so tightly, and let us run
with determination the race that lies before
us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on
whom our faith depends from beginning to
end. He did not give up because of the
cross! On the contrary, because of the joy
that was waiting for him, he thought nothing
of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and
he is now seated sat the right side of God’s
throne.”
 Reflecting
on the history of racism and resistance
within the church; in what ways has the
design of the Episcopal Church hurt people?
How does the structure and design service
white people and people of color to a lesser
degree? How have all of us been trapped into
the white privilege phenomenon? Can we
identify the stolen stories, especially the
stolen European theology and take back the
stolen stories? How have we responded to the
injustices with charity and love?
There is a Biblical and Theological
Foundation for an Anti-Racist effort: We are
the family of God We are all sisters and
brothers by virtue of creation Every “ism”
steals the sacred story; we must reclaim the
stolen stories and share them with each
other and with our children.
The church has a history of supporting
racism by endorsing the white superiority
concept. The Christian came to the “new
world” with two distinct personalities
resulting in separate and often conflicting
paths. In his book, “Becoming an Anti-Racist
Church” Joe Barndt describes the two church
personalities as “the Ruler’s Church and the
Peoples Church.”
The Rulers Church reflected a theology of
glory, God’s strength and power with
triumphant declarations of victory over
evil, suffering and death. The People’s
Church emphasized God’s “willingness to
identify with the pain and suffering in the
world”, comforting the poor, the
disenfranchised and embracing the brokenness
of the crucifixion. This “People’s Church”
often seemed weak and unsuccessful compared
to the “Ruler’s Church”.
The Ruler’s Church identified with the
ruling political power while the People’s
church was allied more with those within the
lower socioeconomic spectrum who provide
service to society with few choices or
rewards. The church has been an integral
part of the colonization of the world. From
the beginning there has been resistance to
Racism. Although most of the resistance came
out of the People’s Church there was strong
opposition from abolitionists and isolated
Catholic and Protestant denominations.
Following are some of the early persons who
resisted racism in the Episcopal Church.:
Alexander Crummell (March 3, 1819 –
September 10, 1898)
Jonathan Daniels (March 1969 – August 1965)
Benjamin Onderdonk ( July 1791 – April 1861)
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
The following are suggestions for the
preservation of the work that has been done
in the Diocese of New Jersey and the
continuation of Anti-Racism efforts.
Continue to publish articles and share
information about the activities and
progress of the Anti-Racism movement within
the diocese
Utilize all the current support within the
diocese to institutionalize the anti-racism
training requirements that have been
initiated.
Partner with the Hispanic Commission and
other religious anti-racism organizations.
Develop a fee structure for the continuation
of anti-racism training sessions for search
committees, commission chairpersons, priests
and deacons.
Develop specific goals and objectives for
the continuation of the current programs.
Press On! Press On! Press On!
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Announcements from Around the Parish
Walking With Grace
Walking With Grace has been suspended for
the winter. It will start back up in the
Spring when the weather becomes consistently
warmer.
Bed Bath and Beyond Coupons
Do you have any coupons from Bed Bath and
Beyond laying around in your house? Drop
them off at Grace. We use them to purchase
cleaning supplies for the church. For more
information please ask Dave Magee.
Grace Annual Meeting Elections
Grace Episcopal Church held its annual
meeting on Sunday, January 22, 2012. At the
meeting the members elected one new Warden,
Four new vestry members, Three Convention
Deputies, and Three Alternates to the
Convention.
The newly elected Grace Leaders for 2012
are:
Warden
Karen Moore
Vestry
Trevor Forbes, Brenda Loncke, Laurie Smith,
Gary Lewis
Convention Deputies
Trevor King, Gloria King, David Magee
Alternates to Convention
Barbara Nichols, Ann-Marie Aymer, Jason
Algeo
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What Children Say About Prayer
Submitted by, Rev. Carolyn Eklund
Our Grace kids love to pray on Sundays. They
are never shy about saying a name of a
friend, a relative or even a pet out loud,
or even a country that is in distress as we
stand in prayer around God’s Table. Our
children are confident that God hears every
word we pray.
One of the disciplines of the Lenten season
is to be more intentional about talking to
God. Adults particularly could learn some
lessons from how our children pray. I
recently came across an article about
children and prayer. It listed the top
categories of children and prayer. I want to
share these lists with you because you can
see that there is definitely not one
“correct” place, position or thing to pray
for as far as children are concerned.
This Lent, may we all engage God with a
child-like love, awe and freedom in order to
nurture our prayer lives. And mark your
calendar with the many devotional, study and
prayer opportunities our community is
offering this Lent.
Note in the Lenten calendar two children’s
activities at Church of the Holy Cross in
North Plainfield. One is Saturday, March 17,
3:00 to 4:30 pm. Children will gain a basic
understanding of the Lord’s Supper. They
will receive their own handbook and bake
real bread! The other is egg dying. All fun
and all an invitation to join other
Episcopalian children in Lenten activities.
“Jesus said, ‘So I say to you: Ask and it
will be given to you; seek and you will
find; knock and the door will be opened to
you. For everyone who asks receives; he who
seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door
will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10, Adventure
Bible)
There are no limits to prayer. A person can
pray whenever, wherever and for whatever
there is a reason to pray. God always wants
us to ask God for help because God is always
willing to give good things to us.
 Top
Things Children Asked for in Prayer
Help on a test
A
safe trip
A
happy family
A
job for your dad
Healing of a sick pet
A
friend
Help for a friend
Top Places for Prayer
At Home
In a Restaurant
At a Game
At School
In the Car
At the Mall
On the Playground
Top Times for Prayer
Bedtime
Before a Meal
In the Morning
During a Storm
Before a Game
Before a Test
When Being Tempted
Top Positions for Prayer
Standing
Kneeling
Sitting
Laying Down
Running
Riding a Bike
Climbing a Tree
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Lenton
Schedule 2012
Please join Grace throughout the season of
Lent.
Ash Wednesday - February 22
A
Holy day of obligation - Imposition of Ashes
7:30 AM - Service at the Church Side Alter
6:30 PM - Miércoles de ceniza (Spanish
Service)
7:30 PM - Service with Music
 The
Great Litany
First Sunday in Lent - February 26
7:45 AM and 10:30 AM
8 Week Grace New Comers Class
"Jesus was an Episcopalian - And you can be
one too!"
Kickoff Session - Sunday, February 26
1
PM at the Rectory - 423 W. 8th Street
Class to agree on future dates.
Lent Tuesday Night Bible Sunday
Alternate Tuesdays: February 21, March 6,
March 20, April 3
7:30 PM in the Grace Lounge
Midweek Holy Eucharist and Healing
Wednesday mornings at 7:30 AM
Alter of Christ the King (side alter)
Children's Communion Workshop
Saturday, March 17 - 3:00 - 4:30 PM
at Church of the Holy Covenant - North
Plainfield
Children's Easter Egg Dying
Saturday, April 7 - Time to be confirmed
at Church of the Holy Covenant - North
Plainfield
Egg dying for the elderly of Grace and Holy
Cross churches
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A Reflection on the Annual Homeless Count in
Plainfield
Melinda Allen-Grote
Thursday January 26, 2012 - 3:45 AM
Point in Time Street Outreach Union County
Board of Social Services East Second Street,
Plainfield
At 3:45 AM, folks from the County Department
of Human Services, non profits, the
community, several county sheriffs and a
Plainfield police officer gather inside the
County building as we await instructions for
the outreach to the homeless in Plainfield.
This group has gathered before at this hour
to do the “count of the street homeless”. It
is not cheery business.
It is dark at 4 AM, and on this morning, it
is cold and damp with an insistent drizzle
that makes every thing bleak. I have not
done this 4 a.m. outreach before. The group
gathered is lively, energetic. These are
some of the best of the county’s homeless
advocates. There is good 4 AM humor. The
humor emboldens us for the daunting task
ahead.
How can it be that real people really live
in abandoned buildings? I have worked in
this field for over 20 years and I felt
curiously reticent about this task. Working
with homeless folks in the comfort of my
nice, warm, well lit office spares me from
the audacity of the reality of being
homeless. A Reflection on the Annual
Homeless Count in Plainfield by Melinda
Allen-Grote
 At
4 AM, driving to an abandoned building where
real people were really living was an
emotional nightmare for me. Asking people to
come out of their shelter into the late
night drizzle to answer questions on a
survey seemed utterly absurd to me. I asked
no questions of anyone. I was just the
driver. I was struck by the compassion and
caring of the folks asking the questions;
willing at 4 AM to try and make a
difference. I was struck that at 4 AM,
people were willing to come out of their
shelter and answer questions. Maybe they
would get a room in a motel for the night.
Maybe they would get a hot meal, maybe they
would get some services. Maybe they would
get nothing.
We drove to four locations. Just four. How
many more locations exist? We brought many
folks back to the office for food and a coat
and a conversation with someone from the
board of social services.
By 7 AM it was light and time to move on to
the rest of the day. Later that morning,
another count took place at Grace’s Kitchen
in Plainfield. Socks and apples were given
to folks as they answered surveys.
Will this nationwide homeless outreach make
a difference to someone, somewhere? I hope
so.
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Grace Newsletter -
March 2012
Ann-Marie Aymer
 Please
submit all articles for the next edition
of the Grace Newsletter no later than
February 10, 2012. We accept
articles from all ministries, members and
friends of Grace Episcopal Church
For more information, or to submit an
article, please contact Ann-Marie Aymer at
amaymer@gmail.com.
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