Our liturgical style is broad, combining traditional with innovative variations. The 10AM Sunday morning service is Rite II Holy Eucharist with the choir and full procession, which is also broadcast on You Tube and Facebook. A simple Rite II Holy Eucharist is celebrated on Saturday afternoons at 5PM in the Chapel, without music. There are monthly healing prayers and anointing at both services. Occasionally there is a special children’s Eucharist, with attending children at the altar.

A Taize service, a meditative form of worship with readings, music and silence, is periodically celebrated in the sanctuary.

During the year there are special celebrations at Grace Church. Favorites include the Blessing of the Animals and, unique to Grace, the Festival of Lights, a celebration reminding us to bring the light of Christ out into the world.

Using the Book of Common Prayer, we incorporate into our services the Prayers of the People which vary throughout the seasons, as well as elements from the New Zealand Prayer Book and Enriching our Worship.

Our music, drawn mainly from the 1982 Hymnal, with contributions from ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ and ‘Wonder, Love and Praise’, enhances our worship services. In addition to our choir, a Handbell Choir periodically rings at the Sunday service.

We are a Christian community, drawn together to serve God through our liturgy, follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, and carry our light into the world. The heritage of our diverse city is reflected in our congregation, and we honor and respect our differences.

Our lay leadership is robust and works diligently to assist the clergy and congregation in creating a sincere and openhearted worship community.

Our compassion for our brothers and sisters transcends our church walls and extends deep into the local community. Community outreach is vitally important to our congregation and is woven into the fabric of our Parish.

What We Will Offer Our Next Rector:

• A warm welcome into the Grace parish family.
• Our enthusiastic desire and willingness to participate in parish life.
• Our complete support, both spiritual and social.
• Our open-minded curiosity merged with a willingness to listen and learn. 
• Strong fiscal stewardship supported by a significant endowment. 
• Administrative support staff and dedicated lay leadership.

Recognizing our many blessings, we are not unaware of the yearnings and opportunities we have discerned in our listening. 

What We Long For:

• Deep spiritual connections
• Pastoral care 
• Return of children and Sunday School, Youth group, and VBS
• Social opportunities and resumption of events such as Parish dinners and single-day community projects

Opportunities For Growth

• Connect better with individual members; focus on growing membership
• Broaden the circle of leadership and sustained involvement
• Energize our Christian education offerings for children and adults 
• Invite younger families
• Create more opportunities for spiritual exploration and growth
• Provide more opportunities for fellowship
• Increase attendance at services

Please visit our online profile at www.gracechurchnb-search.org

To Our Next Rector, 

Thank you for praying and discerning a potential call to ministry with God and the faithful people of Grace Episcopal Church, New Bedford. We hope, as you’ve explored our profile, you have glimpsed a sense of our community. Grounded in worship and prayer; caring for ourselves and our neighbors; and following Jesus; Grace Church invites you to continue our mutual discernment by submitting an application. 

In your application, please submit the following items:

1. Letter of Introduction 
2. Resumé/CV [pdf format]
3. Office of Transition Ministry Profile
4. A link to a video sermon (Preferred). If one is not available, an audio recording may be submitted.

Please email your complete application packet to the Search and Discernment Committee at rectorsearch@gracechurchnb.org

We look forward to continuing the conversation. Applications are being accepted through July 15, 2023.

Yours in Christ,

The Search and Discernment Committee