FAQ
About the Fellowship
So what do you mean when you say that Grace Year is "interfaith?"
It's complicated! Grace Year is an interfaith exploration of spirituality, leadership, and justice. Grace Year is housed in an Episcopal Church, and draws on many aspects of the Episcopal faith tradition for inspiration and learning. Fellows are integrated into the life of Grace Church. Part of the spirituality aspect of the Grace Year curriculum expects fellows to participate in the life of the church three times a month, whether by attending services or one of our many ministries (for instance, attending the women’s dinner group or volunteering at the preschool).
Fellows from all faith traditions, and those without a faith tradition, are welcomed in Grace Year, as the only requirements are a willingness to engage and a commitment to religious pluralism.
It might be worth noting that each of our fellows in our inaugural cohort came from a different religious tradition, and that to date only four fellows have been confirmed Episcopalians. It might also be worth noting that Grace Year was designed together by a non-Christian millennial (Abby) in partnership with an Episcopal priest (Matt).
Fellows from all faith traditions, and those without a faith tradition, are welcomed in Grace Year, as the only requirements are a willingness to engage and a commitment to religious pluralism.
It might be worth noting that each of our fellows in our inaugural cohort came from a different religious tradition, and that to date only four fellows have been confirmed Episcopalians. It might also be worth noting that Grace Year was designed together by a non-Christian millennial (Abby) in partnership with an Episcopal priest (Matt).
What is the Episcopal Church?
The Episcopal Church descended from the Church of England in the United States and is a member of the Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion is the third largest Christian community, with about 80 million members in 165 countries. Episcopalians are united by common prayer, not common belief, which means that there is a great diversity of perspective across the Church. As a fellow at Grace Year, you'll be immersed in the life of Grace Church and may embrace it as your own spiritual home, as an interesting case study on organized religion, or anywhere in between. We expect that a year at Grace will give you a few answers and many more questions about this faith tradition.
Where can I learn more about The Episcopal Church?
- Come visit us or any other church, and ask questions! Or:
- Learn about the Way of Love, the Episcopal Church's approach to following Jesus.
- Learn about Integrity, the organization of LGBTQ people in the Church.
- Read articles on contemporary politics by Rev. Winnie Varghese of Trinity Wall Street, another parish in our diocese firmly rooted in social justice.
Can I talk to a graduate of Grace Year?
Yes! Please contact us. Visitors are welcome. You can also see what our current fellows are up to on Instagram @graceyearfellows and @graceyearprogram.
About Life at Grace Year
Can I come with my spouse/bff/partner/child/dependent?
No. The fellowship offer is for the individual applying, and we cannot accommodate any other dependents in the house. Please remember that Grace Year is a cohort experience, so you will need to be fully committed to your cohort and the program. Thus, we recommend that those in marriages or full-time caregiver roles consider other opportunities.
How does money work during my Grace Year?
Grace Year is a fully-funded fellowship. Housing, food, insurance, transportation, spiritual direction, retreats, and supplies are all covered by the fellowship. Fellows are responsible for personal expenses such as their cell phone plan and toiletries. During their time at Grace Year, fellows also receive a $3,000 stipend, distributed in $300 monthly installments. Upon successful completion of their Grace Year, fellows receive a $500 relocation award to assist in moving to their next destination.
What if I'm undocumented or anticipate becoming undocumented during my Grace Year?
Please call us. There are options.
What about health insurance?
Fellows are eligible for the essential plan in the New York Marketplace, which is a free health insurance program. If fellows are currently on their family's health plan and that plan will remain active throughout the fellowship year, we encourage them to remain on that plan. In the rare event that a fellow does not qualify, we will work with the fellow to find another suitable solution
Can I defer my student loan payments during my fellowship?
Yes. You may defer eligible loan payments during your fellowship. We can connect you to information but can only provide minimal help in setting up your deferrals.
Can I bring my car?
Fellows who have their own cars are encouraged to bring them to Grace Year, with the understanding that they will assist their co-fellows in transportation and be reimbursed for all expenses for their program-related travel. That said, many people in our rural region do not have reliable access to a car, for many reasons. We also hope that Grace Year will introduce our fellows to the challenge of lack of transportation in rural areas. Grace Church owns a vehicle that fellows use for praxis and other program-related needs
I am not available for the exact dates of the program. Is there flexibility?
Outside of extraordinary circumstances, no. Our opening and closing dates for each fellowship are scheduled far in advance, and it is important to experience opening and closing with a complete cohort. Grace Year fellows in the 2021-2022 cohort must plan to arrive on August, 2021.
I have so many questions! Can you answer them all?
Read the rest of this FAQ page and consider scheduling an informational phone call by texting Alison Quin at 845-901-8103. Ultimately, remember that everything is part of the journey, and that a year of discernment in intentional community requires flexibility and open-mindedness.
About the admissions process
Am I applying for Grace Year or the service work position or both?
Both! After being accepted to Grace Year, you will be matched with the service work partner for which you are the best fit. The first application is the Grace Year application. Upon successfully completing the main application, applicants may invited to submit supplemental applications for specific service work partners.
Can I apply now for next year? Can I defer my acceptance to next year?
We love planning ahead just as much as the next change-maker. We can accept deferred acceptances on a case-by-case basis, when circumstances demonstrate that deferring will be beneficial both for the fellow and for the program
What is an informational phone call like?
It will last for up to 20 minutes, and most likely be scheduled with the program director.
What is an interview like?
The first round of interviews is conducted with the program director, who approves candidates for the advisory board to consider. The second round of interviews is conducted with a member of the advisory council. All interviews are conducted by phone or video call, but applicants living in the region are strongly encouraged to come for an in-person interview and to visit the area. Second round applicants may also request a small travel reimbursement.
I think I'm an excellent candidate for Grace Year, but I'm not a strong writer. Will I have a competitive application?
Yes! We are a post-baccalaureate program for lifelong learning. While you will have many opportunities for writing in your application process and during the fellowship itself, we do not value writing skills above any other method of self-expression and communication. Just be sure that your application demonstrates your seriousness and commitment. The application also has a space for you to upload or link to any other media that expresses who you are, such as a portfolio or a video. You can also view the application questions on the Apply Now page.
Do you have any other tips for my application?
If you're applying for Grace Year, we know that means that you feel called to this fellowship, so there really is no right or wrong answer. Remember that we don't know you, so you need to put in extra effort to show us who you are and how you will enrich the program. If you have specific questions, set up an informational phone call by texting Alison at 845-901-8103.
