Sue Graft
The United Church of Christ has always been a big part of Sue Graft’s life. Growing up in Mt. Pleasant about an hour east of Pittsburgh, Sue attended St. Paul’s UCC in the town of Trauger. It was the church where her parents met and were married and where Sue wed her husband, Tim. Her three sisters were also married at St. Paul’s.
It was the church where her mother had been the organist for
50 years and her father served on the consistory and taught Sunday School.
Attending church was a real family affair. Not only did the family participate in services, but also Sue’s grandparents attended as well.
“After Sunday services my grandparents would join us for Sunday dinner,” Sue recalls. “I think this weekly ritual demonstrated their priorities of God and family. I am inspired by my parents.”
After graduating from high school, Sue received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Seton Hill College in nearby Greensburg.
In 1983, Sue and Tim moved to Harrisburg, and she wanted to continue worshiping in a UCC church. After talking to member Mary Fraunfelter about CPUCC and the Sunday School program, Sue decided to join.
It didn’t take long for Sue to get involved at CPUCC.
“I am currently serving as the Service Deacon on council. I have been involved with the Lay Support Ministry, and I serve on the board of Half Day Preschool as treasurer. I have been a Sunday School teacher. I enjoy volunteering at the thrift shop. It is fun working with everyone with the common goal to make the store succeed in supporting the various missions,” she said.
Sue feels volunteering with the thrift shop is a great way for CPUCC to become a part of the lives of the local community. Volunteers often hear from people how much they like the thrift store, some people come on a weekly basis to not only shop but socialize too.
To Sue, attending Sunday morning services is the best way to end the week and start the coming week.
“The worship hour gives me time to reflect on everything good in my life and give thanks to God for all the that our family has received,” she said. “It encourages me and helps me focus on the right things when looking at the week ahead. It also gives me joy that I am worshiping with others that share the same faith.”
When asked about a favorite memory while attending CPUCC, Sue says she especially enjoys the Hallelujah Chorus on Easter Mornings.
The Grafts are the parents of two sons, Jonathan lives in Daytona Beach, Florida and Jason and his wife, Desirae, and children Gracie (2 1/2 years old) and Beau (3 months old) live in Taylorsville, North Carolina. Six years ago, her mother, Nancy Momeyer, moved from Mt. Pleasant to Harrisburg (Kindred Place) to be closer to family.
Sue worked outside the home as a customer service representative for Harris Savings Bank before making the decision to be home full-time with her sons. Later she went back to work in a part-time position at Hershey Chocolate World in the Create Your Own Candy Bar Factory.
In her spare time, Sue enjoys gardening but not dealing with the many animals that seem to enjoy eating the plants that she feeds and waters faithfully. But as her husband tells her, “They have to eat too.”
Since retiring, Sue takes advantage of the various fitness classes at Central Penn Fitness Center. In the fall, the couple attends the Penn State Nittany Lions football games and in the spring, they go to Clearwater, Florida to see the Phillies and get some much-needed sun.
Sue Graft has been a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ and has given back so much in service. She is a wonderful example of how faith and tradition can provide peace and joy in life.
November/December 2025
Meet other members of Colonial Park United Church of Christ by clicking HERE.
