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Ministries

Ministry, with Grace

Music Ministry

One of the most central and life-giving actions of a community of faith is gathering for worship. Services from the Book of Common Prayer and other authorized liturgical sources form the basis of our worship and a continuity with our rich Anglican heritage.

In this parish the Ministry of Music – instrumental and vocal – is also an important part of worship. The organ accompanies the worship during our 10AM Mass each week. Our adult choir also helps lead our worship at the 10AM Mass during the program year (September through June) and at other special services like the All Saints Evensong and the Holy Week liturgies. Vocal and instrumental soloists also offer praise throughout the year.

No formal music training is required to join the choir, and all are welcome to join.
Please talk to Dr Jeeminn Lee, our Director of Music, to learn more about the group.

The mission of the Flower Guild is to enhance the worship services utilizing God’s natural bounty. As part of our outreach, bouquets are delivered to our home bound, ill, or those celebrating special events in their lives. The Flower Guild also supports the parish outreach ministries from a Mum Sale fundraiser during the Homecoming Festival. The Flower Guild welcomes new members who would like to assist with beautifying the sanctuary and grounds – please contact us for further details.

Parishioners are invited to offer flower memorials or thanksgivings special to them. If you would like to offer Flower Memorials or Thanksgivings may use the parish online payment system or complete a Flower Request Form found in the Narthex under the Flower Guild notice and place it in an offertory plate on any Sunday or mail it to the church office at least three weeks prior to your selected date.

Members of the Altar Guild are often considered “behind the scenes” folks, however their vital ministry touches all who attend Grace Church in Nutley. Members of the guild help create a beautiful atmosphere for worship through care for all silver sacred vessels, fair linens, chancel hangings that change with the season, candles, and torches used for worship in the Sanctuary. The Altar Guild also works to support the priest and lay worship leaders during all worship services in the parish. Most members help with setup and clean up once a month on average. The Altar Guild welcomes anyone who would like to serve God in this spiritual and practical ministry – Please contact us for further details.

Parishioners are invited to offer sanctuary candle memorials or thanksgivings to support the work of the Altar Guild. If you would like to offer Sanctuary Candle Memorials or Thanksgivings may use the parish online payment system or complete a Sanctuary Candle Request Form found in the Narthex under the Flower Guild notice and place it in an offertory plate on any Sunday or mail it to the church office at least three weeks prior to your selected date.

Our worship services would feel incomplete without the dedicated ministry of our Acolytes, Lectors, Intercessors, Vergers, and Eurchsriatic Ministers. Acolytes have the opportunity of different roles: Crucifers, Thurifers, Torch Bearers, and Gospel Bearers who help us focus our processions on Jesus Christ. Lectors read selected passages of scriptures and lead in congregational readings of the Psalms. Intercessors lead the congregation in prayer. Vergers play a unique role, sort of like a ring master, who helps direct and organize all those helping lead in the more formal and structured movements and elements of our worship services. Eurcharistic Ministers help share the consecrated communion elements, both during worship and following worship to homebound members of the parish. If you are interested in helping lead worship please contact us – all roles are open to Youth and Adults.

Our Usher Team helps to create a positive and welcoming atmosphere as soon as folks arrive for worship and enter through the red doors at the base of our bell tower. Ushers offer a sincere welcome; supporting congregants and guests with directions and answering questions. Serving as an usher also helps to strengthen our faith community through active participation in technical aspects of the liturgy. No prior experience is necessary – only a warm heart and a willingness to serve. The Usher Team welcomes anyone who would like to serve God in this important ministry – Please contact us for further details.

The folks who make up our Hospitality Team are a group of faithful folks who take responsibility for creating a welcoming, loving, and organized environment for everyone who arrives on our campus for worship or other events. Some of the essential functions of the Hospatiality Team ministry is to coordinate the schedule for parishioners to care for our weekly Coffee Hour (‘Lemonade on the Lawn’ in the Summer), provide refreshments at special receptions, coordinate events, and offer friendly greetings. The team’s mission is to reflect Christ’s love by promoting a welcoming and comfortable space to connect with God and our neighbours. The Hospitality Team invites folks to serve God in this ministry – Please contact us for further details.

Our parish has been entrusted with property on the corner of Highfield Lane and North Road, and for over 150 years we have worked to be good stewards of our buildings and grounds for God; on behalf of the Diocese of Newark (for whom all parish property is held in trust). While the Wardens and Vestry are ultimately responsible, there are also opportunities for any member to work and financially support the maintenance, renovation, and care of our physical parish home. If you are interested in donating a memorial or offering your labor – please contact us for more details.

Many members of our parish are active in the Diocese of Newark Prison Ministry, and for several decades Grace Church has been a key collection point for both the Holiday Toy Drive and Back to School Backpack and Supplies Drive – which provides gifts to children of incarcerated persons. We also collect funds through the year to support other programs like Bible Studies in Prisons and School Uniforms for students. For more information please contact us.

At Grace Church Children and Youth are valued and active members of our parish now, not just in the future. To learn more about the ministry opportunity for and with you please check out Children and Youth.

Grace Church cooks and serves hot, nutritious meals to low-income individuals and families on the third Saturday of each month. This ministry supports thousands of individuals each year, and is a partnership with other parishes in our community; St Mary’s Roman Catholic, Holy Trinity Lutheran, and Vincent Methodist Church (which hosts the CCK in their parish hall and kitchen).

About every 8 weeks Grace Church hosts a Blood Drive with the New York Blood Center / New Jersey Blood Services organization. You can register directly for our next Blood Drive by visiting the NYBC’s website.

Each month during the year at Grace Church in Nutley has an intentional focus for our collection of non-perishable and household staples for neighboring ministries.

September – Pet Food & Supplies (Nutley Family Service Bureau)
October – Coffee & Tea (St Agnes Episcopal Food Bank)
November – Toys (Episcopal Prison Ministry / PATCH)
December – Baby Diapers & Wipes (North Porch Women & Infants’ Centers)
January – Socks/Underwear (Nutley Family Service Bureau)
February -Soups/Stews/Chili (St Agnes Episcopal Food Bank)
March – Pasta & Sauce (St Agnes Episcopal Food Bank)
April – Canned Vegetables (St Agnes Episcopal Food Bank)
May – Baby Diapers & Wipes (North Porch Women & Infants’ Centers)
June – Breakfast Cereals & Instant Oatmeal (St Agnes Episcopal Food Bank)
July – Donations for School Uniforms (Episcopal Prison Ministry / PATCH)
August – School Supplies & Backpacks (Episcopal Prison Ministry / PATCH)