October 22, 2026

Life is a humbling adventure.

-Kao Kalia Yang, author

Please join us on Sunday, October 25th at 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. for the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost. The 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services will be led by The Rev. Dr. Steven Moore. Click here for the readings.

9:30 a.m.: Faith Formation

Faith formation will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the Oakerhater Lounge. This Sunday, we begin study of "Jesus and the Disinherited" by Howard Thurman. All are welcome, whether or not you have read the book.

Grace Church Family

Alex & Katie's baby shower

Last Sunday, we had a wonderful baby shower for Alex Lawson and his wife, Katie. We ate cake and lots of goodies and enjoyed seeing all the presents. We're looking forward to the arrival of this baby girl! Photo by Chuck Stewart

Volunteer drivers needed

Several of our beloved elders need rides to and from church. Can you help? Let Sue Keeter or Barb Slater know. Thank you.

Saint O-kuh-ha-tah & Food Justice

Did you know that Saint Oakerhater was imprisoned for trying to feed his people? From the Diocese’s archives: Oakerhater was a child living under the supervision of the US Army. The Civil War was over… The Trail of Tears had forced tribes from across the continent onto Oklahoma territory to make room for the western “American” intrusion. The US Army allowed white settlers to distribute food rations to the tribes. They didn’t do a fair job. Indian families were starving. Oakerhater organized raids to get food and rations for his family and neighbors. The army rounded up suspects…with no further investigation…transported Oakerhater and others to a military prison in Florida. Click here to learn more.

Church Events & Activities

Sunday: The LGBTQ community & the church – photos & interviews

Would you be interviewed and photographed as a church-going LGBTQ person or ally? Valerie Morrison, an SU photojournalism student, will be at this Sunday's 10:30 a.m. service to take photos and do interviews. She is doing a project on the intersection of religious faith and the LGBTQ community. Valerie was raised in the Southern Baptist church in Alabama and came out as gay as a young adult. Her sexuality has caused a deep rift in her family and home community. She was pleased and empowered by the PRIDE flags outside of Grace Church.

Please call, text (315-439-0743) or email Sue Keeter (keeter.susan.h@gmail.com) with any questions.

Wednesday Night Supper

Supper is served at 5:30 p.m. Arrive at 4:45 pm if you'd like to help.

This week, 46 people enjoyed a chili dinner cooked by Galyn Murphy-Stanley. Next week, Kerri Aiken will cook chicken stirfry and rice, with a vegetarian option.

Many people bring side dishes, desserts and drinks; wash dishes; serve and clean up. Thank you to all who make this a warm and nourishing evening.

Winter’s coming…salters needed

Can you help salt the sidewalks and parking lot this winter? Grace has a service that plows the parking lot and sidewalks when it snows, but it is prohibitively expensive to hire someone to apply the road salt. If you can help, please let Dave Czerkies know. Thank you.

In Our Community

NO PARKING NEXT DOOR

Parking is no longer allowed in the Collegiate Hotel parking lot for Sunday worship or funerals. Parking there will result in a $100 fine and the likelihood that your car will be booted.

SAFE (Syracuse Assistance for Food & Essentials)

The SAFE Center, formerly the Interfaith Community Collective, is a crucial community service located at the side entrance of University United Methodist Church, 314 University Ave. Grace Church is a partner, and the center is central to our outreach work. Click here to learn more.

SERVICES

-Community Clothing Room: Thurs., 9 a.m.-noon; Sun., 9-10 a.m.

-Emergency Food Distribution: Fri., 10 a.m.-noon

-To-go Breakfast: Sundays, 8-10:30 a.m.

-Food $ense: Monthly discounted groceries

NEEDS

Over 300 boxes of food are distributed every Friday and we run nearly every week. Note: On Oct. 1, 9,000 local people lost their SNAP (food stamps) benefits.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Donate money for food:

Write a check to Grace Church and put "food pantry" in the notes.

Donate for Thanksgiving:

Every $30 donation will provide a family with food for Thanksgiving. Write a check to Grace Church and put "Thanksgiving food " in the notes.

Donate holiday food: Bring donations of cake mix and frosting, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce and other holiday treats to church.

Donate clothes: Sats. & Suns., noon-3 p.m.

Needed: Winter coats, boots, hats, gloves. Women's, men’s and children's clothes and footwear in all sizes. Rolling suitcases and backpacks.

Donate bottles & cans:

Drop off your recyclable cans and bottles at any of the following locations. Tell the staff person that the earnings go to the SAFE Center.

Bottle & Can recycling centers:

-224 Chapel Dr. Syracuse 13219

-1833 Teall Ave. Syracuse 13206

-6222 Thompson Rd. Syracuse 13206

-202 West Seneca St. Manlius 13104

-6195 NY-31, Cicero 13039

Sat. thru Nov. 1: Early Voting

Nov. 3: Election day

Click here for locations and hours

Friends of Central Library (FOCL) Authors Series

FOCL brings top authors to Syracuse. Proceeds support the libraries. Click here for tickets and more information.

Oct. 27: Abby Jimenez

Romance novelist and winner of  Cupcake Wars. “The Night We Met” is her newest romance novel.

Nov. 17: Kevin Young

Poetry editor of the New Yorker. His newest work “Night Watch: Poems” is a NY Times Editor’s Choice.

Nov. 10: Columbus Circle Design Presentation

Presentations of three designs for Columbus Circle and surroundings. Coordinated by the Onondaga Historical Assn. and held on Tues., Nov. 10, 6 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 220 East Fayette St., Syracuse

RSVP to Kerry.huyck@cnyhistory.org

Click here for details.

Can’t make the Nov. 10 event? Nov. 10-24, the design proposals will be on view at the Onondaga Historical Assn. Museum.

Literacy Champion detained by ICE for 'voter fraud'

ICE and Homeland Security have been targeting people in Syracuse. Click here to read the experiences of Marva Cook, a social worker and literacy volunteer who was accused of voting illegally. As of today (10/22), Marva has been released and returned to work at McKinley-Brighton Elementary School. She is working with a lawyer and has support from Congressman Mannion's office. Pictured: Marva with the Light a Candle for Literacy parade float that she built.

Voices of the Church

Bishop Mark Edington on the protests in Paris and the US response

Click here to listen.

Tues. @ 10:30 a.m.: Bible study with Deacon Chuck

Deacon Chuck Stewart hosts a discussion of the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. online. Interested?Email cnstewartsyr@gmail.com for the Zoom link and readings.

Thurs. @ 8 p.m.: Compline with Mother Chris

Would you like to join in peaceful nighttime prayer? The Rev. Christine Day offers Compline every Thursday night at 8:00 p.m. via Zoom. Contact her for the zoom link: rechristinejday@aol.com

Sermons online

Listen any time to the Grace Church weekly podcast, found on the church's website. Click here to listen. Also available on Spotify.

Messenger News

Do you get the monthly newsletter from the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York? Click here to sign up.

Our Staff

Need to contact Grace?

Do you need to connect with your church family?

Contact Father Moore, Beth, Barbara or Sue anytime!

Father Moore and Beth Montague: 315-478-0901, Gracesyracuse@gmail.com

Barbara Slater, 315-481-4484, bkbsm6@yahoo.com

Susan Keeter, 315-439-0743, keeter.susan.h@gmail.com

Grace Church, you've been doing great with sending in pledges payments

Keep it up through the mail in your pledge, or with an electronic payments through our website.

Keep in touch, through Facebook!

Visit our webpage: gracesyracuse.org

Grace Episcopal Church * 819 Madison Street * Syracuse, NY 13210 * 315-478-0901

The Rev. Dr. Steven Moore, rector ~ Beth Montague, office administrator ~ Barbara Slater and Susan Keeter, wardens