Special Services

In every season, Saint Esprit holds special services which express the diversity and enthusiasm of our members. We are Huguenots and Episcopalians, Africans, Asians and Europeans, from many faith backgrounds. Come join us for these unique celebrations.

Fall and Winter

Rentrée Sunday

French classes resume in early September, and this Sunday service celebrates the contributions of volunteers to the life of Saint Esprit. A reception after the service offers a chance to meet church members, the Rector and Vestry, and to learn more about our wide range of activities.

Oktoberfest

Our church counts a number of Germanophones amongs its members, and Saint Esprit has important historical ties to the Rhineland. This service reflects this, with hymns and prayers in French and German, followed by an Oktoberfest celebration in the garden.

All Saints Sunday

All Saints at Saint Esprit is celebrated like France's traditional Toussaint, which is an opportunity to remember those who have preceded us in faith. We visit the parish's cemetery lot in Queens, where we hold a brief commemorative service and have a picnic.

Thanksgiving/Harvest Festival

Many of our parishoners are not from North America, and so we celebrate Dieu Donnée, a harvest service on the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day, followed by a traditional Thanksgiving meal for everyone afterwards.

Chantons Noël

On the third Tuesday of December, a service of Evening Prayer is held with French carols and readings which celebrate the birth of Jesus, followed by a pre-Christmas party.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

An early evening service is held on Christmas Eve, and a midday service on Christmas Day.

Epiphany Sunday

This service, held on the Sunday closest to January 6, marks the close of the Christmas season and commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus in a stable. It is followed by a reception with the traditional French cake, the Gallette des Rois. If you are lucky, you will find a bean in your slice, which by the French tradition will make you Queen or King for the year!

Spring and Summer

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the Christian calendar's traditional forty-day period of prayer and introspection. At Saint Esprit, Ash Wednesday is commemorated with a midday service for the application of ashes to the forehead, a reminder of our mortality. These ashes are made from palm fronds from the previous year's celebration of Palm Sunday.

Holy Week and Easter

Holy Week commemorates the events around the death and resurrection of Jesus. At Saint Esprit, this includes an evening service for Maunday Thursday, which reenacts the events at the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and was arrested. On Good Friday evening, the altar is stripped and remains bare through the weekend. On Easter Sunday, we welcome Christ's resurrection, with a celebration of light as the new Paschal candle which will burn throughout the next liturgical year is lit.

Huguenot Sunday

This special service is held each year to mark the anniversary of the Promulgation of the Edict of Nantes on April 15, 1598. On this day, King Henry IV granted freedom of worship to France's Calvinist Protestants, who were known as Huguenots. This edict is a hallmark in the history of tolerance and paved the way for our church's founders to claim the same rights to liberty in the New World. We are joined in this celebration by members of the Huguenot Society of America.

Pentecost

Since our church goes by the name of the Holy Spirit (Saint Esprit), the day of Pentecost has special significance for us. Our Sunday service is followed by a reception in the garden.

Bastille Day

On the Sunday closest to July 14, the anniversary of the liberation of the Bastille prison in 1789, The Alliance Française hosts a street party outside the church. Our Sunday service on this day celebrates the French traditions of liberty, equality and brotherhood, and is followed by a spirited party in our garden with dancing and the singing of French popular songs, accompanied by an accordionist.

Afrique Fête

Because many of our parishoners are from French-speaking Africa, we dedicate a special Sunday service to celebrate their rich heritage and contributions to our congregation. We sing French African hymns and pray especailly for the continent of Africa and its people. The church and garden are decorated with the colors and flags of Africa, and we enjoy a reception with African food, music and dancing.