The Commission on Social Ministries is the presence of Grace Church in the community as our congregation strives to act on the Biblical mandate to “go out into the world…feed the hungry, work for justice.”
At Grace we take seriously the vocation to be the hands of Christ.
In addition to regular collections in the Church’s foyer for People To People (non perishable goods), Nyack Center (toys at Christmas) and projects in response to community-needs, below are some of the forms that our ministry takes and offers ways to become involved.
For general information or to suggest a new ministry, contact Heidi R. Hill, 845 358-0950, nyack13@gmail.com.
10 a.m. second Saturday of each month
Parishioners of all ages gather in a fast-paced assembly operation to make up to 200 sandwiches and bag lunches to go to the Midnight Run headquarters in Dobbs Ferry.
Another group picks them up and delivers them to the homeless in New York City at subway stations, steps of churches, parks, Grand Central Station, Port Authority and more.
The homeless started Midnight Run in Westchester County. Now a consortium of more than 150 churches, synagogues and schools in the metropolitan area contribute to this ministry. . Using vans provided by Midnight Run, Inc., these organizations go into the city three or four times a week to deliver some 2,000 to 2,500 meals.
Parishioners who would like to contribute to this ministry can sign up each month at church or call the office. Donations of food or cash contributions are always welcome.
Contact: Heidi R. Hill 845 358-0950, nyack13@gmail.com.
The Senior Youth Group had taken an annual Church Youth Service Mission trip. Past trips have been to Louisiana, West Virginia, Montana, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.
Pre-COVID, the youth group would organize a variety of events to involve the parish and raise funds for the trip, including an Easter Fair, Rummage Sale, Haunted House, citrus sale, monthly Sunday morning hot breakfasts and the sale of fair trade items.
The Senior Youth Group is restructuring and looking for new leadership.
Please reach out to the parish office if you are interested in volunteering: parishoffice@gracechurch.org
Retail hours vary.
Grace’s Thrift Shop donates its proceeds to local charities. It is staffed by a group of active and committed volunteers — some of whom are parishioners and others who come from the community. The shop is always on the lookout for volunteers.
For more information on Grace’s Thrift shop, visit the thrift shop page here.
Contact: Caran Pullen, caran.pullen@gmail.com
Episcopal Relief & Development is the compassionate response of The Episcopal Church to human suffering in the world. Hearing God’s call to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being, Episcopal Relief & Development serves to bring together the generosity of Episcopalians and others with the needs of the world and facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives in communities struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease.
Contact: episcopalrelief.org.
Episcopal Charities of the Diocese of New York Episcopal Charities provides critical funding, operational support and volunteers to strengthen nearly 100 local programs working to transform the lives of more than 1 million people in need each year.
Contact: episcopalcharities-newyork.org
Grace Church also opens its doors to the following groups:
Boy Scouts
Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous