The Commission on Social Ministries is the tangible presence of Grace Church in the community as it 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,’ as both St. Benedict and St. Theresa reminded the faithful. 
​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. We recognize that the needs of our community and beyond change and shift constantly, and we welcome your input and energy in discerning how and where to be of service.

Contact Charlie Cross (845) 358-4599.

Grace's Kitchen

​The mission is to provide a healthy and delicious breakfast every Thursday, from 7 to 8:30 am, 52 weeks a year to anyone in the community in need at Grace Church. Breakfast is served by volunteers on china with silverware and table linens. 
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On October 6th,  Rev. Owen Thompson cut the ribbon for Grace Church’s new endeavor, Grace’s Kitchen.
​Nyack Mayor, Jen Laird-White, local politicians, People to People Executive Director, Diane Serratore, friends and well-wishers were on hand to start our new chapter of service. The program grew out of a need for a food program on Thursdays, one of the only days there is no feeding program in Nyack.  
A small group met and decided to test the waters with Grace’s Kitchen.

Midnight Run

At 10:00AM on the 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 be brought to the Midnight Run headquarters in Dobbs Ferry.

Here another group picks them up and delivers them to the homeless at subway stations, steps of churches, parks, Grand Central Station, Port Authority, etc in New York City.

The homeless themselves originally started Midnight Run in Westchester County. Now a consortium of more than 150 churches, synagogues and schools in the metropolitan area are contributing to this endeavor. 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. Even if you can’t volunteer, donations of food or cash  contributions are always welcome.  Please clink on the "Learn More" button for more information.

Helping Hands

Three nights each month, from December through April, Grace Church provides shelter in Memorial Hall for the homeless of Rockland participating in Helping Hands of Rockland, a rotating shelter program supported by a broad coalition of communities of faith and concerned organizations and individuals.

​Volunteers prepare and serve a meal for our guests, and provide overnight supervision and a bagged meal in the morning.

​Volunteers are always needed to help on our scheduled nights.  

Youth Service
​Mission Trip

Since 2006 a major focus for our Senior Youth Group (all High School Students) each year has been the Church Youth Service Mission Trip (CYSM), which has included work trips expeditions to Louisiana, West Virginia, Montana, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.

Throughout the year the youth group organizes a variety of events to involve the parish and raise funds for the  trip including an Easter Fair, Rummage Sale, Haunted House, citrus sale and monthly Sunday morning breakfasts that feature a bountiful  “oatmeal bar” and the sale of fair trade items.

If you would like to learn more about participating in an upcoming trip please contact Joe Paskowski.

Twelve Step Meetings

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Twenty-nine Twelve-Step and recovery groups meet at Grace Episcopal Church throughout the week and this congregation is proud to be the host to one of the oldest AA groups in the nation.

​Other allied Twelve Step groups receive similar hospitality at Grace Episcopal Church.