Outreach/Faith in Action

The Outreach Ministry at Grace strives to build meaningful and sustainable relationships by working with our community “Ministry Partners” who feed, clothe, shelter, and welcome immigrants; and support families.

  • We seek out, support, partner, and build relationships with local and international organizations that support our core values of inclusion, service, discovery, and gratitude.
  • We provide opportunities for parishioners of all ages and abilities to connect with our service ministry partners.
  • We strive to discover new and creative ways to work with other ministry programs to build a more integrated church community.

We presently have nine Ministry Partners, which include local community food banks and assistance programs; an immigration assistance center; and “Mom’s Morning Retreat,” an inspirational monthly meeting of mothers with school-age children. In 2021, we began “Gifts of Dirt,” a working garden led by volunteers from Grace. Each year, this garden ministry produces more than a ton of vegetables for Helpline House, our local food bank. We also offer “Butterfly Gifts” to applicants. These one-time financial gifts are given to an organization or ministry and are earmarked for a humanitarian need or service after approval by the Outreach ministers and our rector.

Service Sundays at Grace

Service Sundays have focused activities benefitting our established Ministry Partners, and are designed to work toward the goal of achieving a hands-on and “being with” relationship with both our Ministry Partners and other organizations in the community and beyond. Usually falling on the last Sunday of each month afterthe 9:30 service, we meet and gather donated items, or work on a simple project to support our Ministry Partner of the month. Notification of the selected ministry and description of requests are highlighted in the eNews and Sunday bulletin.

Sample of Outreach Giving:

  • Thirty-two $25 gift cards for Helpline to disperse for the holiday season
  • Butterfly Gift in the amount of $1200 to support the health and dental program at Kitsap Immigration Assistance Center
  • 52 packages of cowboy chili ingredients to Fishline
  • More than six carloads of warm clothing, shoes, hats, gloves, rain gear, camping gear, and blankets dispersed to local organizations helping clients meet their clothing needs
  • Delivered 3,339 pounds of fresh produce grown in the Gifts of Dirt Garden to Helpline House
  • $500 donation to Episcopal Relief and Development for humanitarian aid to assist people affected by the Middle East conflict
  • $250 donation to Holy Innocents Church for people affected by fires in Maui
  • Supported an active role in Grace Summer Camp

Grace Outreach Ministry Co-Leaders: Cindy Logan and Kathleen Abell


Grace Ministries and Ministry Partners

Butterfly Gifts

One-time financial gifts for an organization, project, or ministry. A request form is submitted to Outreach outlining how the funds will be used, how they fit into the Grace mission and how many people will benefit. Upon approval the amount is deducted from the Outreach budget and forwarded.


Chaplains on the Harbor

Building the “Freedom Church of the Poor” in Grays Harbor County


Fishline

Food Bank and Extended services in North Kitsap County

Grace Liaison: Bridget Berry


Fresh Start Monday Shower Project

Located at Faith Episcopal Church in Poulsbo, unsheltered guests are offered a warm welcome and may have access to a shower, a load of laundry, a hot meal, fresh clean clothing, and access to a “food to go” pantry.


Gifts of Dirt Garden

Grace’s community garden operated by volunteers from Grace which provides fresh produce and flowers to Helpline and the community. Learn more here.


Helpline House

Serving the needs of our local Bainbridge Community


Kitsap Immigration Assistance Center (KIAC)

KIAC’s mission statement is: “Recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of all people, KIAC works for the well-being and empowerment of immigrants through education, advocacy, and social justice.”

Grace Liaison: Marguerite Thomas

Click here to watch a video about KIAC.


Mom’s Morning Retreat

Mom’s Morning Retreat is a community for Moms to connect, replenish, be seen, and heard in a space that is welcoming, diverse, and inclusive. We are a non-faith based community group supported by Grace Episcopal Church. Grace generously provides a space to gather and additional financial support for our program.

Each year from September to June, we meet every 1st and 3rd Thursday. We are lucky to have Jen Breen, founder and teacher at Bainbridge Yoga House as our mentor and facilitator for the second year. We will explore the theme of Wild Mothering with Jen through sharing stories, readings, group discussion, bodywork, poetry, and “wild writing”.

Onsite childcare is available at every meeting. Visit our childcare page to learn more.

For questions or additional information, please contact us!

Grace Liaisons: Heather Paar and Jen Breen


Peace Trees Vietnam

Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam the organization is is dedicated to addressing the legacy of the U.S-Vietnam War through mine action, community assistance, and citizen diplomacy. In partnership with Vietnamese leadership and local communities, Peace Trees safely clears land of explosive remnants of war and supports community-led education and economic development initiatives so that future generations can thrive.


Super Suppers

Free dinner meals served the last seven days of the month on Bainbridge

Grace Church serves the last Friday of every other month

Grace Liaison: Cindy Logan