Welcome to Grace-St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Christian Formation

Church School

The GraSP Church School consists of six classes, with children ranging from ages 3 through 18. For the school year, we meet during the 10:00 a.m. worship service. We are currently using the "Episcopal Children's/Youth Curriculum" which is rich with the history and teachings of the Episcopal Church. Each Sunday we have a 45-minute class session and join the congregation at the peace. At 9:45 a.m. we meet in the downstairs Chapel for 15 minutes of music. In addition to Sunday Church School classes, we offer alternative experiences in sharing our faith, such as the "warming tree", Christmas pageant, Palm Friday Holy Week Program, Visitation Sundays, "Stump the Clergy" days, and God's Family Sundays when kids join adults for the whole Eucharist, and which include a children's sermon.

For more information about the Grace-St. Paul's Church School, please contact Erin Cook or Wendy Sullivan.

Vacation Bible School
VBS is open to all children ages 4 through 12. The one-week session is usually scheduled to take place during the second week of July, in the early evening. The children gather each evening for Opening Prayer, which states the theme for the evening. Some of the daily activities in which we participate include art and crafts, music, snacks, as well as structured class time. Adults and parents are encouraged to serve as teachers, assistants, or program coordinators. On the final day, the children usually present a culminating program during which they present songs and skits and display other talents for parents and friends, all based on their VBS experience. The VBS course is designated to be an exciting and active way for participants to learn about God’s love and make it a part of their lives. VBS is sometimes done in conjunction with St. James, Yardville.

For more information about Vacation Bible School please contact Erin Cook.

Youth Group
The GraSP Youth Group is an organization devoted to assist with the spiritual and communal needs of young adults. Forms of fellowship and team building such as ski trips, ice skating, discussions, and hosting church activities for the parish. Another is that of stewardship such as volunteering to help with the church's fund raising events, Clean-up days, and baby-sitting events. The youth group also is involved in Diocesan and regional activities. Active members range in grades 5th to 12th within the parish, but not restricted to only parish members. Adult guidance for the group is provided regularly. The group meets twice a month during the school year term, once for regular meetings and once for an activity.

For more information please see Mother Lois.

Adult Education
Bible study, Lenten Programs, Retreats, Baptismal Programs, Confirmation classes and other educational opportunities are presented at GraSP throughout the year to help us deepen our faith in and knowledge of God, and to equip us for ministry in the church and the world. In addition to educational offerings here at GraSP, many learning opportunities are available in the wider Diocese such as offerings by the Diocesan Ministry Institute and the annual Equipping the Saints Workshops at nearby Trinity Cathedral in Trenton.

For more information please contact Mother Lois.

Eucharistic Assistants

Acolytes
Acolytes are assistants from age 10 and up who assist in the Eucharist through acting as torchbearers, crucifers and servers. Also, the acolytes of Grace-St. Paul take part in the National Acolyte Festival in Washington, DC every other year.

Anyone of any age interested in acolyting should see Hilary Cox or Cathy Roe.

Eucharistic Ministers
Lay Eucharistic Ministers assist with distributing the Eucharist at Holy Eucharist and bringing the Eucharist to those who cannot be present at church.

Anyone interested in becoming a LEM should contact Fran Boss.

Lay readers
Lay readers participate in the Holy Eucharist as readers of the Old Testement, New Testement readings as well as leading the intersessions. No experience is needed for this simple but fulfilling ministry.

Anyone interested in becoming a Lay Reader should speak to Hilary Cox.

Ushers
In this simple yet important ministry, ushers are welcoming faces to visitors and members alike. Their responsibilities include counting people in church, taking up the collection, passing out bulletins and flyers, and helping with liturgy. They also reorganize the nave after church, and basically help make visitors and members feel welcome and comfortable during services.

Anyone interested in Ushering should contact Mike Register.

Music

Senior Choir

The Senior Choir of Grace-St. Paul's assumes a major role as a leader in worship. The choir sings for the 10:00 am Sunday service, as well as special worship services throughout the year. The singers enjoy a repertoire of chant, Renaissance and Baroque motets, Anglican anthems and contemporary sacred works. All are welcome to participate, however, regular attendance at rehearsals and services is expected.

Rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30 pm. and Sunday mornings at 9:00 am.

Children and Teen Choirs
Voice for Life is the RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) guide to training choirs and singers of all ages. This music education program provides a framework for choristers to develop their vocal skills, musical understanding, and a knowledge of diverse repertoire. In addition to learning anthems, hymns, and music of the liturgy, part of the rehearsal is spent on rhythm and sight-singing. We strive to provide a positive learning experience. The choirs sing for major festival Sundays throughout the liturgical year. The Voice for Life program meets every Sunday at 11:45 am. Choristers are divided into two age groups: children, ages 8-11 and teens, ages 12-16.

Organ Concert Series
In addition to the choir programs, Grace-St. Paul's sponsors an annual organ concert series. These concerts feature the Opus 6 pipe organ, built exclusively for the church in 2004 by Russell Meyer & Associates, Bridgeton, New Jersey. The organ consists of 28 ranks and 1,798 pipes and is located in the rear gallery, highlighting the wonderful architectural detail of the sanctuary. The Grace-St. Paul's series presents concert artists from throughout the region, performing brief programs to showcase the instrument. Performances are on designated Sunday afternoons at 4:30 p.m., with a reception following each concert.

For more information about the music program, please contact Cynthia Westbrook, Director of Music, at the parish office, (parishoffice@gracestpaul.org or 609.586.6004)

Ministry in the Community

Trenton Area Soup Kitchen
GraSP members help prepare and serve meals to the hungry at T.A.S.K.

For more information please speak to Steve Higgins.

Outreach in the Community
This group of committed parishoners participate in the annual Hamilton Township Crop Walk, sponsor Red Cross Blood Drives, and work with the Trenton/Princeton Crisis Ministry.

Fellowship and Service Organizations

Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
All women of the parish are considered to be members of the ECW. Our meetings are usually held at GraSP on the second Tuesday of every month. Among our many projects, ECW provides support for the Seaman's Institute, summer Bible Schools, and college scholarships for parish members. Special activities include special collections for the Church Periodical Club and the United Thank Offering. All activities and projects are focused on supporting the community and non-profit organizations. The GraSP ECW is part of the Diocesan ECW.

For more information please see Joyce Moffett or Fran Boss.

Girl's Friendly Society (GFS) Juniors
The GFS Jrs group is composed of women of girls ages 7-14. The GraSP GFS has been in continuous existence since 1897. Fund Raisers such as Bunco and the painted pots and the Roast Beef Suppers support the GFS Juniors' activities and the mission of the whole parish. The GFS provides a great place for helping girls grow up in the church. The GFS Juniors meet every other Friday at 7:00 p.m. though theyalso take part in other activities such as an annual trip to Cape May. The GFS invites all girls of the parish to join in this organization of Christian Fellowship.
There is also now a recently started GFS Srs. Group for slightly older girls. Anyone interested should contact Rose Cooper.

For more information about the GFS see www.GFSUSA.org or please contact Jill Brzezynski or Lisa Auletta.

Girl's Friendly Society (GFS) Sponsors
The GFS Sponsor group is composed of women of all ages after 21. The GraSP GFS has been in continuous existence since 1897. Fund Raisers such as Bunco and the Bakeless Bake Sale support the GFS Juniors' activities and the mission of the whole parish. The annual Warming Tree in December also supports community outreach. The GFS sponsors meet on the first Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m. and invite all women of the parish to join in this organization of Christian Fellowship.

Prayer Chain
Prayer requests, both petitions and thanksgivings, are offered daily by members of our Prayer Chain as well in the Prayers of the People in Sunday worship. Requests may be made through one of the clergy or a member of the Prayer Chain.

For more information contact Shirley Sked.

Vestry
Working under Canon Law of the Episcopal Church and Statues of the State of New Jersey, the Vestry of Grace-St. Paul’s Episcopal Church governs parish affairs and provides parish leadership. The GraSP Vestry is comprised of a Senior Warden, a Junior Warden, a Treasurer, and nine Vestry – persons. The Rector presides over the regular monthly or special meetings. The Rector, Wardens, and Vestry are together, according to state and canon law, the body that has legal responsibility for financial and physical affairs of the parish. While the canons give final authority over some matters of parish life to the Rector alone (i.e. worship and education), the Vestry serves an important role of shared leadership with the Rector for the overall life and ministry of the parish. At times, the Rector asked the Wardens and/or Vestry to serve as a council of advice.

For more information about the Grace-St. Paul's Vestry, please see the Parish Leaders page.

Programs and Ministries

Christian Formation

Eucharistic Assistants

Music

Ministry in the Community

Fellowship and Service Organizations