Outreach

Ecclesia Ministries

Ecclesia Ministries takes religious services to the homeless in Madison Square Park. It is a cooperative program supported by various churches and clergy in the NoMad (North of Madison Square Park) area. Transfiguration is one of those congregations; it is also the alternate location when inclement weather makes an outdoor service impractical. Last Christmas, our parishioners donated an abundance of warm gloves, scarves, gloves, hats, long underwear, and other items to people served by Ecclesia Ministries.

The Episcopal Actors' Guild

The Episcopal Actors' Guild was founded in 1923 by our third rector, the Rev. Dr. Randolph Ray, to bridge the worlds of church and theater. Today, the Guild is a philanthropic organization that raises money and dispenses emergency funds to members of the acting profession facing severe financial hardship. It also has entertainment programs, educational, career development, and social events for its members.

Each November, the Guild holds a memorial service in the church dedicated to members of the profession who died in the previous year. In December, they present a Service of Lessons and Carols with outstanding music, often performed by Broadway veterans. Both events are open to the public.

Actors Pantry Food Bank

Our parishioners support the Episcopal Actors' Guild’s Actors Pantry program. Each Sunday, we collect non-perishable food. The Guild then fills bags with the donated items and gives them to artists in need who have applied to the Guild for help. No one leaves empty-handed.

Houghton Hall Arts Community

Houghton Hall Arts Community is a new rehearsal and arts management facility owned by the Church of the Transfiguration. It offers 17,000 square feet of offices, rehearsal rooms, acting studios, and meeting space to performing arts organizations and acting teachers, available for reasonable rent by the hour or by the day. It is named for the Rev. George H. Houghton, the Church’s first rector, who committed Transfiguration to inclusion and dignity for all. Through Houghton Hall, Transfiguration is proud to continue supporting the artists and arts groups who are the heart of our city!