Dear Friends,

I wanted to let you know about an outreach ministry that has been slowly developing. In Lent 2025 – a year and a half ago – we had a weekly discussion group on immigration as a Lenten discipline. We focused on what immigrant means as a concept in history, in the bible, and how the values of the Kingdom of God inform our orientation to those who are not only different from us, but from other lands, often because they are fleeing harsh and dangerous circumstances in their home countries.

This faithful group of 12-16 people at Grace, has continued in their stirrings for immigrants. With the mind informed, the spirit stirred and compassion ignited, action has been sought. This group has met several times since Lent 2025 to commiserate, shake heads in grief, scratch heads with wonder about how to help those in need, and investigate options and organizations ‘doing the stuff.’ I am grateful this group has been tenacious about ministry to and for immigrants. This month things have shaken together and actions are taking place.

Through these volunteers, we have connected with several local families who have lost their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and begun helping meet their urgent needs. As you can imagine, they face tremendous fear and must approach even ordinary daily activities with great caution. Because they can no longer work, their most critical needs are housing and food. We have the privilege of being a safe avenue of help to those in danger around us.

As we continue to find our way in this unique ministry I want to also affirm our ongoing commitments which continue with strong ongoing commitment: Kirk Care, The Shepherd’s Center, Meacham Park Neighborhood Association, and Trinity Hot Lunch. As you may remember, with the transitions in the diocese the Trinity Food Truck is reforming, and we may once again get involved as things settle into routine for them.

I am so grateful for the ways Grace is existing in the communities around us as a sanctifying presence, seeking to bring the Kingdom of God to those around us. Through these ministries’ inclusion, provision, love, and care are taking place regularly – we are reflecting the image of God and building a Kingdom that lasts forever.

Thanks be to God,

Lisa+

Collect For the Mission of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816

Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope. of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Join Us Sunday!

Sunday School | 9:55 a.m. | Lower Level

Our Pre-K– 6^th Grade

Adult Formation | 9:00 a.m. | Library
This Sunday - Scripture - what's our view?

Trunk or Treat 

This Sunday, October 25, you are invited to our annual Trunk or Treat event at Grace, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. rain or shine! Our evening together includes dinner, pumpkin carving, and finishes with a Trunk or Treat event in the parking lot. For all ages! This is a perfect opportunity to bring your friends and family.

Mark your Calendars

Diocesan Convention

Saturday, November 14th is our annual convention. All are invited to our Saturday offerings. There will be a worship service, lunch, and workshops. Our convocation, Emery Washington, is providing leadership for the worship service: torch bearers, readers, ushers, hosts, intercessors. Please consider coming to the day and signing to participate with the link below.

Grace on The Go

In honor of the Veterans, we are visiting the WWII National Memorial of Military Accent in Grafton, Thursday, November 5. The Mayor will speak to us about the Memorial at the Visitor Center and then take a little walk to see the Memorial. The visitors center also has some interesting local artifacts.

Lunch will be at Pierre Marquette lodge. They are known for their fried chicken, there are other items offered, of course. 😉

For some of those who are adventurous you could cross two ferries when you come home otherwise you reverse the route you came out on.

Bishops Visit

Sunday, November 22, one service at 10:00 a.m. - Bishop will meet with Vestry at 8:30 a.m. in LaVielle Room, all are welcome. Bishop to meet with Confirmands at 9:15 am in the Library.

Advent Wreath Making

Sunday, November 22, in Albright Hall at 9:00 a.m. and after combined 10:00 a.m. Service. All are welcome.

Sign up for fall 2026 coffee hour - 10:00 a.m. service

Children, Youth and Families

• Sunday School is available from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., in the lower-level classrooms, for K-5th grade. 

• Our nursery is available during our 10:00 a.m. Service for newborns - preschoolers.

• Please invite your friends to join us for our epic Trunk or Treat evening, 10/25, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

• **Are you wondering how to support our children and youth program? Please reach out to Erin to see how you can help!

If you are a family at Grace with babies, children or youth, please take some time to get on Erin's Family E-News which comes out weekly!
 Email erin.pickersgill@gracekirkwood.org

All Saints Day

On Sunday, November 1, All Saints Day we will have a special prayers of the people at both services with necrology. Necrology may be a strange word to us; we do not use it often. It means a list of the recently dead. Grace has at times done this in diverse ways over the years, and this year will provide opportunity for it. The purpose is to remember God’s grace toward those we name, assure ourselves of our eternal existence, and find comfort. Often this list of names is for those who have died over the past year, however, since we all journey through grief in different ways, we want to open it up to those names you would like to read no matter when they died.

This Sunday, October 25 is our last day to collect names for this reading. We will have our sheets printed asking for the full name of the deceased, as well as a phonetic spelling and your name as a submitter. These can be found in the parish hall in the metal serving area/counter. 

Walking the Mourners Path 
Begins week of November 9th


Walking the Mourners Path is an 8-week small group workshop based Christian grief program. Grief comes from loss in a variety of ways. Loss or separation may be through death, change of relationship, job, housing, finances among other situations or circumstances. We grieve in our now because we love. Grief is love in the now our separation. This group will seek to meet for 8 consecutive weeks while seeking to accommodate schedules.

Contact Lisa by email, text, or phone if you are interested in participating or have any questions: lisa.corry@gracekirkwood.org or 978.590.8382

Knitting Ministry

We are getting close to the time we donate our knitted goods (hats, scarves, mittens, etc. - all sizes) to those who need to keep warm in the winter, so I hope you're busy with those needles! Please put your finished goods in the basket on the black cart by the bulletin board in the parish hall.  Thanks for your beautiful work and your time.

-The Knitting Committee

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 25

October 25, 2026

8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.



You may also join us at 10 a.m. through Facebook @GraceChurchKirkwood

or on our webpage at www.GraceKirkwood.org

Nursery Sunday hours are 8:45 a.m until 11:15 a.m. each Sunday.

Thursday, October 22
Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Sunday, October 25
Holy Eucharist 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. / Nave

Coffee hour following both services
Formation hour 9:00 a.m. / Library

Sunday School (K-5) 10:00-10:30 a.m. / Lower level

Gloria Deo Handbell Rehearsal 11:15 a.m. / Nave

Trunk or Treat 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. / Parking lot & Albright Hall


Tuesday, October 27

Holy Eucharist 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Wednesday, October 28

Men's Breakfast 8:00 a.m. / Spencer's Grill

St. Dunstan Handbell Rehearsal 4:15 p.m. / Nave

All Saints Handbell Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. / Nave


Thursday, October 29

Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Mission Statement

Wherever you are on your spiritual journey,

Grace Church welcomes you as we follow Jesus together through a life of worship, love, and action.

Our Core Values

Worship: We believe worship is the heart of the church, shaping and connecting us with one another and God. In our Christ-centered worship and sacrament, we learn and grow spiritually.

Love: We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, where each person is seen, heard, valued, and accepted.

Action: Service within and beyond our parish enriches our faith, strengthens our community, and keeps us relevant as we spread the word of God.

The iMessenger is a weekly publication of Grace Church. If you have information you would like included, please contact the church office by Wednesday before noon.

 Office@GraceKirkwood.org 

Grace Episcopal Church

514 East Argonne Drive

314-821-1806  

www.gracekirkwood.org