3 minute read
Our Art And Environment Ministry: Members Using Their Talents To Enhance Our Worship
No matter the season, and no matter what needs to be done, the members of our Art and Environment Ministry come forward to share their time and talents, ensuring that our church reflects the liturgical season and the beauty of God’s works.
Anne and Tom LaMere serve as the CoChairs for the ministry that currently consists of 20 members.
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“Our purpose is to work with the pastor or the liturgical director to determine how the environment of the church can be changed to enhance the liturgical experience,” Anne says. “We decorate the church.”
The ministry’s work follows the liturgical calendar, from Ordinary Time on through the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. The ministry members arrange flowers, making sure they are watered and kept tidy, as well as hang banners, assemble the manger, and erect Christmas trees.
Anne typically sends the members an email to ask for workers to carry out specific tasks, whatever is needed at the time.
“They show up,” she says. “It’s wonderful. I never have to worry about having enough people to help.”
Anne cites the work of three ministry members — Kay Christian, Mary Ann Wirtzburger, and Betsy Oren — who arrange the flowers and make sure they are kept watered. They place the flowers in the church on Saturday for Mass and remove then after the last Sunday Mass.
“We get donations of flowers from weddings and funerals,” Anne says. “These women take them out of the arrangements and rearrange them for the sanctuary. We are always so grateful for these donations of flowers.”
Just a few years ago, the ministry was purchasing floral arrangements. Then the ministry began receiving donations for the flowers, and Anne also discovered that the Kroger store across the street from the church sold beautiful flowers at a good price.
“We started arranging these flowers and found we really enjoyed it,” she says. “We also use flowers from the garden around the church. After we use them on the altar, we return them to the earth. God gives us flowers and we return them to Him.”
Through all the work the ministry does, the current of stewardship flows. The members freely offer their time and talents to help make our church more beautiful and also help us appreciate the beauty of God’s gifts to us.
“I think it helps people know they are giving of their service and time to the church,” Anne says. “It is therapeutic when you see the work of their hands where we worship.”
“Their work through stewardship sets an example for others,” Tom says. “It encourages them to assist in other ministries.”
In addition to serving as examples of stewardship, the work of the ministry members also helps bring glory to God.
“I believe if you have items in church that help the liturgical experience, it helps people in their praise to God, and it helps when you enter the church to worship,” Anne says.
“The flowers are a simple reminder of what God gives us,” Tom adds. “The beauty that God gives us.”
Additional ministry members are most welcome. There is a need for members who can water and move floral arrangements, operate a drill, climb stairs to get into the church attic for stored items, know how to paint, or can assemble a Christmas tree.
“A lot of the members bring their children and make it a family activity,” Anne says. “They enjoy working with the flowers and the Christmas trees. They can do smaller tasks. And college students will come in and help with getting up and down the attic stairs.”
