The Rev. John Atherton Bell, Rector, 1944
Many Christians have discovered one way in which God acts: what we might call ordinary miracles. These events occur in unspectacular ways, during the normal course of human life ... And if we think about it, this is a much bigger religious story than the spectacular miracles we hear about once in a while. It is these ordinary miracles of everyday life that, if we can open our eyes, our minds and our hearts to them, give us the feeling that the presence of God can be with us at any time. Nothing can separate us from that.
The Rev. J. Douglas Ousley, Rector
Click to view information about various programs and ministries:
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Music Christian Education Community Outreach Open Church |
Fellowship Church Administration Officers & Chairpersons Staff |
| M U S I C |
Music has always played an important role at Incarnation and remains a source of pride for the congregation. The Rev. J. Douglas Ousley believes that, for many people, an "incarnational experience" — the appearance of the divine in human form — is music. As is the case throughout the history of the Church of the Incarnation, Christmas and Easter remain important sacred and musical celebrations for the parish and the community.
Matthew Lewis was appointed Organist and Director of Music in 1994 and since then has infused the music program with his energy and creativity. The Incarnation Music Society continues to support the music ministry of the congregation through concerts, lectures and special events. Dr. Lewis directs the choir of professional singers in a wide variety of sacred choral music that follows the traditions of the church calendar. The church's three-manual Aeolian-Skinner organ was installed in 1954, retaining some pipework from the existing 1902 Hutchings-Votey organ.
In 1981 the Schantz Organ Company added several ranks of pipework bringing the organ to its present 54 ranks.
Incarnation Music page
| CHRISTIAN EDUCATION |
Sunday School for Children
Many parents feel a need for informed guidance for their children on the moral and ethical values underlying our Christian culture and witness. Adults also gain from a re-examination of these values and traditions. Incarnation has educational programs that address both these needs.
Except during the summer months, Incarnation Sunday School meets weekly at 11:00am where children ages 3 to 12 are welcome to attend. The biblically-based, developmentally-oriented curriculum is taught by Incarnation's clergy, parents and other trained lay people. After class, children attend the latter part of the 11:00am service and then may go to the church nursery or attend the coffee hour in the Parish House. Nursery care is provided for younger children during the 11:00 Sunday morning service and coffee hour.
The Assistant Minister seeks help from those with talent and experience in teaching and working with young people.
Adult Education
Continuing growth in the knowledge and appreciation of our Christian and Episcopal heritage is one of the important objectives that unite members of the parish into a common family. Incarnation has regular programs for this purpose:
- The Adult Education Forum considers issues of faith and life, often beginning with the Gospel Scripture for the day. The forum meets from 10:00am to 10:45am every Sunday.
- "After the Dismissal" is a discussion group led by the Deacon in which participants discuss daily spirituality. The group meets every third Wednesday.
- The Lenten Study Group meets during Lent to examine pertinent theological subjects.
- The Confirmation and Inquirers Class consists of six weekly meetings during the winter. Readings are selected on Christian and Episcopal beliefs and practices. Attendance is required for confirmation candidates but is open to all members of the Parish.
- Open Forums take place on occasional Sundays to discuss issues of urgent concern.
| COMMUNITY OUTREACH |
While worship and Christian education are primarily the responsibility of the clergy, the initiative for outreach and fellowship activities rests largely with the parishioners. Outreach activities implement the Christian injunction to spread the word of Christ and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Outreach Committee
This newly formed committee supervises the service projects of the parish and looks for ways to serve those in need in our neighborhood and around the city.
Christmas Fair Committee
An important part of Christmas at Incarnation is the Christmas Fair begun in 1942. The Christmas Fair committee also organizes our participation in the Murray Hill Block Party held each year in June.
H.O.N.E.Y.
Our church actively supports a "Help Our Neighbors Eat Year-round (H.O.N.E.Y.) program by providing canned foods to the elderly poor in our neighborhood. Food is collected every Sunday at coffee hour. Many parishioners are involved as volunteers in this program.
Ministry With the Addicted
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous hold seven weekly meetings at Incarnation. AA has an open meeting on Wednesdays at 7:30pm.
Church Family Committee
A group of parishioners provide pastoral care (including visits, phone calls and errands) to members of the parish who are sick or infirm. Volunteers are welcome to join this ministry that includes health care workers, Eucharist ministers and those who escort people to church.
Visitation Ministry
Volunteers from the parish work with the United Neighbors of East Midtown helping senior citizens in our area maintain independent lives in the community. These volunteers visit seniors either in person or by telephone contact.
Building Committee
Volunteers assist the church staff in caring for the physical elements of the church buildings. Volunteers with a particular appreciation of our artistic heritage and those with skills in building repair and maintenance are drawn to these activities.
Garden Committee
The Garden Committee oversees the design, care, and maintenance of our parish garden on the 35th Street side of the church. The garden, enjoyed by parishioners, neighbors, and visitors to Murray Hill alike, offers a unique opportunity for gardening in a concentrated urban setting. Responsibilities of the committee include plant selection and planting, watering, fertilizing, weeding, mowing, and parish awareness of garden ministry.
Tour Committee
Incarnation Online Tour
The Tour Committee engages visitors in informative tours of the church. Led by parishioners, the tours take individuals and groups through the neo-Gothic building designated as "the Landmark Church of Murray Hill" by the New York Historical Landmarks Commission. Guides are careful to point out Incarnation's nationally known collection of ecclesiastical art, as well as its importance as a living, breathing church community. Tours are offered after some Sunday services, during the Murray Hill Block Party in June and by appointment. Please call the Parish Office for more information.
| FELLOWSHIP |
All Christian communities enjoy coming together for food and drink and many friendships are formed and nurtured through the numerous social activities at Incarnation.
Supper / Brunch Groups
Groups of eight or nine persons share four monthly dinners or brunches in each other's homes. These purely social occasions provide an opportunity for parishioners to enjoy each other's company outside the church.
Hospitality Committee
Incarnation's reputation as a friendly church is due largely to the activities of the Hospitality Committee. Committee members greet newcomers at Sunday services, prepare and host the coffee hour and help organize social events, providing refreshments on special occasions.
Kitchen Club
Kitchen Club webpage and recipes
Formed to utilize a newly renovated Parish House kitchen toward ministry, the Kitchen Club organizes parish events throughout the year, and gathers for educational-themed dinners. Past sessions have included knife skills, making jam to sell at the Christmas Fair, and a full-course Tofu menu and recipes. All are welcome, whether cooks, helpers, eaters, bottlewashers, etc.!
20s and 30s at Incarnation
20s and 30s at Incarnation is a gathering of young people in their 20s and 30s interested in community and service to the church. 20s and 30s meet on their own a few times a year for fellowship and friendship and join in general parish ministries and activities throughout the year. The "E-minder," a weekly e-mail newsletter, is sent to each member and serves to inform about parish happenings and parishioner news, and to keep 20s and 30s connected with the parish, the wider church and with each other.
Incarnation Center
www.incarnationcenter.org
The Incarnation Center, a 700-acre facility located in rural Connecticut, was founded in 1886 by the Church. Our parishioners, together with members of other parishes, provide leadership for the children's summer camp, nature center, church conference center and programs for seniors.
Parish Weekend
Parish weekends are sometimes held at the Incarnation Center for study, recreation, worship and enjoyment of the Center's facilities. The objective is a renewal of a kindred spirit to better serve God, neighbors, families and selves in thought, word and deed.
| CHURCH ADMINISTRATION |
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee looks after the financial interests of the Parish and reports to the vestry.
Investment Committee
The Investment Committee oversees the management of the church's endowment and also reports to the vestry.
General Theological Seminary Teaching Parish
As a teaching parish for New York's General Theological Seminary, Incarnation often has a Seminarian Assistant who shares some staff responsibilities.
Office Volunteers
Office volunteers provide assistance in the parish office supplementing the activities of our part-time secretary and receptionist. Parishioners with office experience are particularly welcome to volunteer.
Stewardship Committee
The Stewardship Committee conducts the pledge program for annual giving and makes arrangements for testimonial and special gifts. Volunteers are always needed for the Stewardship Program which takes place each year in October and November. Planned giving is encouraged, especially on the legacy Sunday in March when past donors are remembered.
Technology Committee
Communications, computers and publishing are some of the concerns of this group which has become quite active in recent years.
Columbarium
A columbarium located in the Sacristy holds ashes of departed members of the church and others who have wished for their remains to be interred permanently in the church.
| OFFICERS & CHAIRPERSONS |
VESTRY OFFICERS
Susan Adams, Senior Warden
Mark Lulka, Junior Warden
Uche Akwuba, Clerk
Robert Witter, Treasurer
VESTRY
Barbara Clark
Stephen Ju
Brian Lamb
Janet Loengard
William Richards
Debra Taylor
John Ubieta
Jonathan Vaughan
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
| Altar Guild | Gemma Just |
| Building Committee | Debra Taylor |
| Christmas Fair Committee | Laurie Mygatt |
| Garden Committee | Brian Lamb |
| Greeters | Deacon Robert Zito |
| H.O.N.E.Y. | Jill Curtin |
| Hospitality | Kathleen Kehoe Glass |
| Incarnation Center | Ann Churchill Ted Harrison |
| Kitchen Club | Maki Hoashi |
| Outreach | The Rev. J. Douglas Ousley |
| Public Relations | Edward Curtin |
| Technology | Jonathan Vaughan |
| Tours | Laurie Mygatt |
| Ushers | Basil Elliot |
| S T A F F |
| Rector | The Rev. J. Douglas Ousley |
| Assistant Minister | The Rev. Amanda Kucik Rinas |
| Parish Deacon | The Rev. Deacon Robert J. A. Zito |
| Organist / Director Of Music | Dr. Matthew T. Lewis |
| Parish Secretary | Joelle Anderson |
| Receptionist | Thomas Southworth |
| Sexton | Brian Hoashi |
| Assistant Sexton | Antonio Pineda |
| OPEN CHURCH |
Open Church Hours
| Weekday Lunchtime | Monday through Friday 11:30am to 2:00pm |
| Weekday Evenings | Wednesday 5:00pm to 7:30pm |
| Weekends: Saturday | 1:00pm to 4:00pm |
| Weekends: Sunday | 8:00am to 1:00pm 4:30pm to 6:00pm |