Grace Episcopal Church welcome new rector on Sunday

The Reverend Owen C. Thompson has been called to be the new rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Nyack, NY.  He will celebrate his first services at Grace on September 15, 2013 at 8:00am, 9:30am, and 11:00am.   “I cannot wait for the journey ahead,” says Fr. Thompson.  “As I have learned about Grace during the search process, I have been greatly impressed by the outreach ministries of the church, and how members of the parish volunteer so much of their time and effort to these ministries and by doing so affect positive change. Indeed, Grace Episcopal Church is an integral part of the community…I look forward to both ministering to and with God’s people there, and simply being a good neighbor who adds to the diversity and warmth of a beautiful town called Nyack.”

“The search for our new rector took 18 months,” says Senior Warden, Jeff McDowell, and our committee interviewed many capable candidates. The entire parish is thrilled to have Fr. Owen begin his service with us as our new rector.  It is an exciting time for Grace Church.”

Fr. Thompson comes to Grace from Trinity-Saint John’s Church in Hewlett, NY, where he has served as rector since 2005.   He received his Masters of Divinity from General Theological Seminary (New York, NY), holds a Masters in Educational Communication and Technology from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hobart College.  Fr. Thompson is the son of the late Rt. Reverend Herbert Thompson Jr., Bishop of Southern Ohio (ret.), whose ministry motto he has adopted as his own, “To reconcile. To heal.  To Liberate.  To Serve,” and the late Ruselle Thompson, a former operatic soprano, who he thanks for his “singing voice.”  Fr. Thompson’s wife, Jonna, is a holistic health practitioner, and they have two young sons Ridley and Carter.

Fr. Thompson succeeds the Reverend Richard Gressle, who retired as rector on January 1, 2012.  The Reverend Alon White has served the church as interim rector during the transition and search process. Grace Episcopal Church celebrated its 150th anniversary in November, 2011. Its congregation comes from Rockland, Westchester and Orange Counties, NY, as well as Bergen County, NJ. Emphasizing traditional and modern liturgy, the congregation is known for its community witness, excellent choral program of four choirs under the direction of Interim Organist and Choirmaster Brandon Beachamp, and an active and diverse church school. Parishioners collaborate in volunteer efforts throughout the community including participation in the Helping Hands shelter program, Midnight Run, and People to People food drives; the Commission on Social Ministries and Grace’s Thrift Shop also provide support to a variety community programs including a full schedule of Twelve Step groups, and the Amazing Grace Circus founded at the church in 2001.

For more on Grace Episcopal Church: www.gracechurchnyack.org     845-358-1297

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