Timeless Faith for Today
ABOUT US
Christ Church is a historic Episcopal Congregation that serves the spiritual needs of today. Our congregation is a place of inclusivity, hospitality, community, and discipleship We have a place for you!
912-638-8683 • WWW.CCFSSI.ORG
ST IGNATIUS CHAPEL
2609 DEMERE RD., ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA 31522.
STAFF CLERGY
The Very Rev. Tom Purdy Rector
PROGRAM AND SUPPORT STAFF 6329 FREDERICA ROAD • ST SIMONS ISLAND, GA 31522
Glenn Queener
The Rev Ashton Williston
Associate Rector
The Rev. Deacon Becky Dorrell
ASSISTING CLERGY
The Rev. Bill Barton
The Rt. Rev. Charles Bennison
The Rev Dr Bob Brown, UMC
The Rev Becky Rowell
VOLUNTEER LAY ASSOCIATES
Beryl Blatchford
Parish Administrator
Jim Broussard
Organist and Choirmaster
Harrison Branch
Sexton & Cemetery Superintendent
Lily Packard
Communications Associate
Ada Ramirez Joaquin
Bookkeeper
CONTENTS
PAGE 3
Know and be Known Fr Tom Purdy
PAGE 5 PAGE 6
Hands and Feet
Singing our way through Lent Mtr Ashton Williston Jim
PAGE 7
A legacy for us all Don Baker
PAGE 9
Silence, Solitude & Scripture
PAGE 11
A homecoming
PAGE 12
Wednesday nights
PAGE 13
Outreach & Flower Ministry
PAGE 14
Holy Week and Easter Worship Schedule
Broussard
Deb Luginguhl
Know and be known
The Very Rev. Tom Purdy
There is a trope in the movie world involving the death of a minor character, after which someone may ask, “Did anyone know her name?” Or in a Western, they might bury someone who has died, and as the characters stand by a rectangular stack of rocks, maybe with a simple cross at its head, someone may demure, saying, “I didn’t really know him well – I don’t know what to say ” Eventually, someone says something, often superficial, simply because it’s expected that such an occasion requires some commentary Sometimes, the moment is lighthearted, but more often than not, it brings a pang of heartbreak and loss. The idea that someone might die without anyone to bear witness to their life is a sobering moment.
Moreover, such moments highlight just how little self-disclosure we engage in regularly. We share brief moments with people as we go about our lives, but we rarely get to know most of those people. Of course, we have friends and family, but our lives intersect with strangers and people we hardly know Most of the time, the interactions are fleeting, and so are the memories of the people who were a part of them. Short of getting stuck on an elevator with someone, most of the conversations we strike up out in public are a form of rudimentary politeness, not an honest effort at making connections.
As we embark on this season of Lent, we face a time of self-disclosure in the truest sense, opening up for and to ourselves We might think we ’ re supposed to be opening up to God, but it’s more of an internal process In the way tradition says we dig through cupboards on Shrove Tuesday to pull out and use up sugars and fats before Ash Wednesday begins the season, the Lenten journey is one of rooting through the dark places of our interior lives to bring what is stashed there into the light It’s for our benefit, not God’s, if we take it seriously that God knows everything about us already We can’t play a successful game of hide and seek with God There isn’t a hiding place that can conceal us!
“We can’t play a successful game of hide and seek with God.”
That doesn’t mean that Lent must be a season of selfflagellation We need not stand on the scales, hoping and praying that the result isn’t too bad, and then berate ourselves when we realize how fast the dial is spinning We are often our worst critics, who live with our insecurities on a daily basis, and we don’t need any more help in that department So, how might we engage in “the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance,” as the Book of Common Prayer states, that doesn’t cause more harm or risk extending the perceived distance between God and us? Primarily through reframing what this season is and is not
We often do physical self-checks, subconsciously or with great intent We may notice a blemish here or feel a lump there We might have to show it to our dermatologist or ask our doctor to investigate That could carry a sense of worry about what we will learn, but we know we need to get such things checked out Finding it is worrisome, but finding it and not doing anything about it can lead to a lot more than worry Often, it’s nothing at all When it is something, we can typically deal with it Maybe a cream or a quick slice with a scalpel takes care of it Sometimes, it may require medication or even
surgery When we look back on it, we can give thanks that we found whatever it was before it became a problem
Our Lenten season invites us to look into a spiritual mirror and meditate on what we find there We will no doubt find some blemishes, failures, omissions, regrettable acts, and who knows what else These are the sorts of things we don’t like to see and don’t often go looking for, which is why there is a season each year to ensure that we do it anyway When we don’t deal with them, they can grow, metastasize, rot, and weigh us down When we acknowledge that they are there and that they are a part of us, we can allow ourselves to hear and know that God does not hold them against us God already knew the condition of the human heart when God’s son was sent into the world to bring reconciliation and redemption God wants to help heal the pain that accompanies these realities and help us move beyond them into a loving relationship with God in which there are no real or imagined barriers
“God already knows, and God already loves us. We don’t need to wish for anything more than that.”
I know people who eat well and/or drink less when their annual physical is coming up They know that those blood tests will give away their lifestyle if they don’t! So, they play a little game with their doctor, not wanting their doctor to think less of them or tell them what they need to do to be healthier This is not a game to play with God As we prepare for Easter, our best gift is this invitation to be honest with ourselves and genuine with God about who we are, not who we wish we were or who we want God to think we are God already knows, and God already loves us We don’t need to wish for anything more than that When the time comes for us to breathe our last breath, it doesn’t matter who’s there to bear witness to us and call out our name, partly because we won’t be there to see it Instead, we can rest assured that we have been fully known and loved
The purpose of Lent is to put us “in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith ” This process is about allowing for
the rebirth of our faith in the love of God, which sets us freeinsteadofbindingusuporweighingusdown Thisis notatimetobesuperficialinhowweapproachourselves or our relationship with God This is a season for going deeper Let this Lent be a time of self-disclosure for ourselves so we can fully understand and welcome God’s fulldisclosureonEastermorning
HANDS AND FEET
The
Rev. Ashton Williston
“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; I needed clothes, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you looked after me; I was in prison, and you came to visit me. ” Matthew 25:35
Jesus calls us to help our brothers and sisters in need, which has been central to the mission of Christ Church for decades On the first Tuesday of each month, the phone begins ringing off the hook at the church office before 9:00 am People from all over Glynn County call us seeking help with their utility bills, rent, food, and more Our Door Ministry requests have grown beyond our capacity to help all but a fraction of those who need it There are few places in our county where residents who need help not triggered by an acute problem, such as illness or job loss, can turn We will offer assistance to those dealing with chronic poverty, which is a significant local problem
“...justasyoudidittooneoftheleastof these...”
Christ Church’s Door Ministry primarily offers assistance with power and water bills Our policy used to be that we would only accept a request for help with a bill once every six months, limiting the number of assistance requests we would pay in a given month to six households Our cap for each family has been $250, meaning our monthly limit was approximately $1500 To stretch that budget further, we have changed our policy to only one request per YEAR, although we still have a limit of six households per month or up to $1500 per month
Occasionally, we can serve more than six families on that budget It’s still not enough Late last year, Gay Barron, who helps coordinate our Door Ministry and handles almost all our interviews, met with me to discuss how we could do more The number of those in our community crying out for assistance has grown Requests for food assistance are becoming more commonplace as household budgets no longer stretch to the end of the month We also have had to decide which families we can afford to help and which families we have to turn away There just aren’t enough resources to go around as economic situations worsen It is a heartbreaking process
Last month, we were able to help with some of the food requests with the help of our Backpack Buddies team Using one of their bags and then adding staples such as deli meat, bread, and milk purchased at the store, we were then able to deliver food to a disabled woman whom we met years ago through our pastoral care outreach at a local skilled nursing center Christ Church’s outreach programs continue to do incredible things as we impact the lives of so many We can use your help to do even more
We can be the hands and feet of Christ in several ways as we serve the most vulnerable in our community For example, we can collect food to offer to the food pantries – every “first weekend” is a food drive at Christ Church We can also donate financially to the “Door Ministry” or the Associate Rectors Discretionary Fund, which funds most of our requests We can also continue supporting Backpack Buddies, which serves hundreds of hungry children monthly These efforts will allow us to help more of the working poor who have few options to stay out
of dire situations. We hope to collect enough money to raise our capacity to ten to twelve homes a month or an additional $1000-1500 monthly.
During this Lenten season, perhaps we can see the face of Christ in all God’s children no matter who they are or what their socioeconomic status is, remembering that Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me. ’
MISSION AND OUTREACH COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU
We are reimagining our Mission and Outreach committee with an organizational meeting on March 19, 2:00 pm in the Vestry room of the Parish Hall
Join Deacon Becky Dorrell and deacon-in-training
Deb Luginbuhl as we seek ways to reenergize our mission to serve the most needy in our community
singing our way through lent
Jim Broussard
Walking with Jesus through Lent involves both a spiritual detox and reorientation. We cannot overlook the power of music in helping us make that journey together.
The very act of singing is mysterious and an art of personal reflection. Often, we may not deem our individual voices to be worthy of singing our praise to God. Yet, each week we join our voices with others, and somehow the Holy Spirit gives us a collective voice to rival that of angels singing God’s glory. When singing hymns that are familiar, we
have opportunities to be transported by the music itself since we don’t have to think too much about learning the tune and text Many of us even have the tune and text of a very familiar hymn memorized, so that we may sing from deep within our souls On the other hand, when singing hymns that are new, we have opportunities for God’s spirit to provide new insights into the very nature of God and God’s church
“We cannot over-look the power of music in helping us make that [Lenten] journey together. ”
As we walk with Jesus through these forty days of Lent, we can let music - old and new - speak to and pour out from the deepest parts of our soul We should not underestimate the power of music to guide us along the way Why not sing your way through Lent this year!
SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST
for orchestra, soloists and parish choir
~ Theodore Dubois, composer
April 6 7 PM • Parish Hall
A legacy for us all
The live oaks overarching Christ Church, Frederica for centuries symbolize the rich tradition of legacy giving that sustains the church, its grounds, programs, and community Legacy giving or estate bequests can be traced back to the early days of the church and the generosity of Anson Greene Phelps Dodge, Jr
In 1883 at the age of 23, Dodge and his wife, Ellen Ada, traveled to India where she contracted cholera and died A year later construction began on Christ Church and Dodge paid for the cost in memory of his late wife and from funds received through her estate Dodge’s legacy didn’t end with the building As rector from 1884 to 1898 he was instrumental in expanding the congregation and spreading the gospel throughout the region, including within Black communities. When his son by his second wife, Anna Gould, died in a tragic accident, he and Anna founded the Anson Dodge Memorial Home for Little Boys in his son ’ s memory
In honor of Dodge’s legacy of philanthropy, Christ Church has formed the Dodge Society Its purpose is to recognize those who have included Christ Church in their estate planning and to inspire others to do the same Started only recently, we now have more than twenty members
When I was recently reviewing my estate plan, I knew I wanted to leave a portion of my assets to Christ Church In the ten years that I’ve been attending, Christ Church has become my
church home I am grateful for its history, beauty, grounds, and most importantly welcoming clergy, staff, and congregation I also appreciate the variety of the liturgy offered at various services, fellowship, opportunities for Christian formation, and the church’s outreach to the broader community
As I thought further about what I wanted as a legacy gift I focused on the labyrinth Nestled under a canopy of live oaks that reach their limbs to the sky, the Labyrinth at Christ Church is a place for reflection and rejuvenation. Communing with creation and Creator, I walk the labyrinth and it refreshes my spirit. I feel similarly when I attend services, especially the contemplative service at St Ignatius on Sunday evenings
“In
the ten years that I’ve been attending, Christ Church has become my church home. I am grateful for its history, beauty, grounds, and most importantly welcoming clergy, staff, and congregation.”
Consequently, my partner, Randy, and I have directed a portion of our estates to maintain and enhance the labyrinth and surrounding grounds Our wills also specify that the principal can be used to repair or rebuild in the event of catastrophic
Don Baker
Fr Tom, Tony Kreimborg, and Don Baker at the 2024 Dodge Society Reception
damage While we chose to make a designated bequest, it’s not necessary to specify a purpose; gifts to the endowment can be even more valuable when not designated That way monies can be used for the greatest need of the church and congregation at the time
Christ Church, Frederica has been a valued and beloved part of the Saint Simons community for 289 years By following Anson Dodge’s example and joining your fellow parishioners in the Dodge Society, together we can ensure the church continues to serve the community for generations to come Making a legacy gift to Christ Church is easy For more information, visit the church website or talk with Glenn Queener, Rees Sumerford, or me We’d be glad to assist!
Launched as a part of the Rooted. Growing. Building. Campaign in 2020, the Dodge Society is open to all those who make a legacy (end of life) gift to Christ Church If you have already made such a gift when making estate plans, we encourage you to share your plans with us We would love to recognize you as a member of the Dodge Society Some people join the Dodge Society, yet remain anonymous, which is completely up to each donor
As we conclude the Rooted. Growing. Building. Campaign in the next two years, we will signify all members in the Dodge Society at that time as “Founding Members ” We will be sharing more information about the Dodge Society later this year, which will include the cutoff date for “founding” gifts to the Society We also plan to install permanent recognition for all members of the Dodge Society moving forward In the meantime, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Chair of the Dodge Society committee, Don Baker, who would be happy to discuss membership in the Dodge Society with you
LENT BOOK STUDY
Thursdays, March 6 - April 10 12:30 pm • Vestry
We will be reading the 2025 “Big Church Read” chosen by the Archbishop of Canterbury:
Wild Bright Hope
a collection of writings from authors who passionately share what gives them hope, In addition to helping us embrace a more hopeful perspective, this book challenges us to consider how we might help build the kingdom of God
Books are available in the office for $17
Silence, Solitude & Scripture
Deb Luginbuhl
Christianity has a rich history of contemplative prayer practices rooted in silence, reflection and a loving intimacy with God These ancient practices were central to the early church and were gradually lost to many through the years The 40 days of Lent mirror the 40 days of Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness and provides a great opportunity for silence, solitude and scripture Sometimes, we think of prayer as recitation, as somehow scripted for us In reality, prayer is a relationship.
It is, in the words of the poet Mary Oliver, “ a silence in which another voice may speak.” There are many forms of prayer. People often pray in different ways, with their prayer life taking a different form at different times in their lives But how do we pray? How do we hear God’s voice inside our noisy minds and busy schedules? How do we quiet down and listen?
One way is to practice Centering Prayer, which is a form of silent, unspoken prayer It is a practice and a form of relationship with God Centering Prayer finds inspiration in Matthew 6:6, “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace ” (The Message)
“How do we hear God’s voice inside our noisy minds and busy schedules?”
When we practice Centering Prayer, the first step is to choose a Sacred Word as our intention Sacred Words might be something like “love,” or “ peace, ” or “Jesus ” They can be anything that represents our desire to be fully be present in our relationship with God Once we have that word in mind, we simply sit with it for a time On Wednesdays, when our Centering Prayer group meets at St Ignatius from 12-12:30 pm, we sit silently for 20 minutes When other thoughts push their way in, we simply return to your Sacred Word – over and over It sounds simple, and it is; it’s one of the simplest forms of prayer there is Many find that it takes practice to really enter into the stillness and silence without
the constant interruption of our thoughts
Regardless, no experience is required to try Centering Prayer, and many find it meaningful right away
St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, urged praying with the imagination, a form of prayer now known as Ignatian Contemplation Ignatius thought that our imaginations are as good a place to meet God as our thoughts To pray in this way, we select a Gospel passage, read it carefully, and then put ourselves into the experience Once we imagine we ’ re a part of the story, we begin to focus on different parts of it, wonder what the people may have said, or what we may have done, etc Pray As You Go is one example of an Ignatian offering available online or on their app. They offer a Lenten “retreat” entitled The Pace of Grace that you can listen to.
Another Ignatian prayer practice is known as the The Examen, a powerful daily prayer practice The Examen invites us to review the preceding 24 hours with gratitude The Examen helps us examine where we felt God’s grace or the hand of God and how we responded to God’s will This practice is another wonderful way to deepen our relationship to God and come to see God’s presence in our lives Pray As You Go also offers a daily version of the Examen among other options for meditation For more information, visit www prayasyougo org
This Lenten season is a wonderful time to experiment with contemplative prayer practices and deepen our relationship to God Whether it’s Centering Prayer, Ignatian Contemplation, The E lki Th L b i h Ch i
INTRODUCTION TO CENTERING PRAYER WORKSHOP
The Contemplative Well at Christ Church and Contemplative Outreach of Atlanta are sponsoring this workshop at Christ Church on St Simons Island
Saturday, April 26, 2025
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
$20 registration fee
Centering Prayer is a method of consenting to God's presence and action within It prepares us to receive God’s gift of contemplative prayer, which is an opening of our hearts and minds to God beyond thoughts, words, and emotions This prayer practice, rooted in the Christian contemplative heritage, helps us embrace the process of transformation in Christ
This program is designed to share the method of Centering Prayer and offer support in making it a part of daily life The workshop includes themes of Prayer as Relationship, The Method of Centering Prayer, Thoughts and Use of the Sacred Word, and Deepening Our Relationship with God, time in Centering Prayer and the opportunity to ask questions
The presenter for the workshop will be Joanna Brunson Joanna is the Coordinator for Contemplative Outreach’s Atlanta Chapter She was also in the second cohort of the CAC’s Living School and received a certificate in Spiritual Direction from AnCroi Wisdom Institute in Louth, Ireland Joanna has also completed the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and is a Condoner Companion She is a member of St Thomas More Catholic Church in Decatur Georgia, where she is involved in the OICA program and leads a Centering Prayer group
THE CONTEMPLATIVE WELL at Christ Church
Ancient Christian Traditions for a Contemporary World
CENTERING PRAYER
Each Wednesday, 12:00-12:30 pm St Ignatius Chapel - In Person
CONTEMPLATIVE WORSHIP
Sundays, 5:00 pm St Ignatius Chapel
THE LABYRINTH AT CHRIST CHURCH
Guided Walks
Saturday, March 22, 2:00 pm, Stations of the Cross Saturday, April 19, 2:00 pm, Holy Saturday Saturday, May 3, 1:00 pm, World Labyrinth Day
The Labyrinth is always open during daylight hours Across from Christ Church
More information on Contemplative Practices at Christ Church is available by sending an email to: contemplativewell@ccfssi org
"Silence is God's first language. Everything else is a poor translation."
Thomas Keating
A HOMECOMING
“You can’t go home again,” or so they say As Lily Packard begins her tenure as our full-time Communications Associate, it is a homecoming of sorts as she returns to the place where her spiritual life began when she was baptized in Christ Church The Packard family was active at Christ Church more than twenty years ago, although they eventually moved on to another congregation Lily’s mother was also a part of the Christ Church staff once upon a time, having served as our Parish Secretary under The Rev Douglas Renegar, who retired from Christ Church in 2006 From that foundation, Lily launched out into the world, and like so many who come from St. Simons, she found her way back here again, obtaining her degree in Mass Communication at Georgia College and State University.
Lily has fond and vivid memories of Vacation Bible School at Christ Church and has a deep love and respect for people like Louise Bartlett, whose loving kindness and wisdom helped shape her at a young age. She is also comforted by the knowledge that her grandfather’s ashes are laid to rest in the Christ Church cemetery. That history and connection were elements that drove her decision to apply for and accept the position as our Communications Associate.
“What excites me most about working at Christ Church now, ” Lily says, “is the chance to work in such a welcoming place that has profoundly impacted me and so many others. I know I’ll be even
more passionate about the work I do because it’s an opportunity to give back to others and honor the Lord ” In only a couple of short weeks, Lily’s enthusiasm for the work of our Communications Associate is palpable She has been eager to learn who Christ Church is today and to get to know our congregation
“It’s all about connecting with people and sharing ideas in ways that really matter ”
Church Communications are vital to the health and flourishing of any parish, particularly here at Christ Church with our robust calendar of events and offerings. When we asked Lily what it is about communications that she loves so much, she explained, “It’s all about connecting with people and sharing ideas in ways that really matter. Whether it’s through writing, speaking, or using digital media, communication has this amazing power to bring people together, spark change, and build understanding between one another.”
We are so pleased that Lily is bringing her gifts and her affection for Christ Church and the St. Simons community to this position, and we know there are great things in store. You will undoubtedly see Lily around Christ Church in the coming weeks and months – be sure to introduce yourself and share your story with her.
WEDNESDAY
NIGHTS
AT CHRIST CHURCH
A look ahead at the spring season
Wednesday nights at Christ Church continue through May 14, although there won’t be dinners the weeks before and after Easter Sunday Upcoming programming at 6:30 pm includes:
The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Wright, Old Testament and Hebrew professor at Sewanee, will reflect on the role of lament in scripture and community
Jim Barger will discuss his recent book, Riveres and Dreams, co-authored with Dr Carlton Hicks, which captures the life of President Jimmy Carter through a series of fishing stories from around the world
Maria Haynes, with a storied career as museum director at various institutions, will reflect on museums as living libraries and histories
Paul Medders of the GA DNR will discuss the importance of marine habitats and our unique Georgia salt marshes
Jazz Watts and other Sapelo descendants will join us to share some of the history and culture of this important Gullah Geechee-descended community
Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, a renowned New Testament scholar, will join us for two sessions to close out our season with a reflection on the witness of the Cross
Dinner menus for the rest of the season include:
CLASSIC 3/12, Meatloaf, butter mashed potatoes, broccoli bake, rolls, chocolate cake
CHINESE 3/26, Mongolian chicken, stir fry vegetables, steamed rice, strawberry almond cake
CAJUN 4/2, Muffaletta salad, Creole shrimp etouffee, Havarti cheese grits, bread pudding
RUSSIAN 4/9, Beef stroganoff, egg noodles, braised red cabbage salad, Strawberries Romanoff
MEXICAN 4/30, Chicken fajitas, Chile relleno, ranchero beans, flour and corn tortillas
SOUTHERN 5/7, BBQ ribs, corn Maque Choux, coleslaw, pickled tomato salad, peach crumble
CHEFS CHOICE 5/14, Sweet tea brined pork tenderloin, blackberry sauce, scalloped potatoes, grilled asparagus, assorted desserts
REMEMBER TO REGISTER FOR DINNERS INDIVIDUALLY OR BY SIGNING UP TO SUBSCRIBE TO ALL REMAINING DINNERS
ONGOING FORMATION
Men’s Study Group Wednesdays,10:30am ParishHall-Vestry
Allmenarewelcometojointhisgroupasit exploresvarioustopicsbyreadingand discussingbookschosenbythegroup.
Interpreters Table Thursdays,11:00am ParishHall-Vestry
Allarewelcometojointhisbiblestudyasit slowlyandcarefullyexploresthe GospelofLuke
Regular Outreach Opportunities
There are a number of ways that you can serve others in our community As our Mission Committee is re-imagined (see page 6), there are still ongoing opportunities to serve:
Backpack Buddies
Our signature outreach ministry, volunteers meet every other Wednesday to pack bags for schoolaged children who live at or below the poverty level. Contact: Susan, susanshipman920@gmail.com
Manna House
Join our CCF team as we prepare a lunch for hundreds of our neighbors in Brunswick at the Manna House Soup Kitchen.. We currently serve on the 4th Monday of even numbered months (April 28 and June 23 are our next dates), but hope to soon have another monthly day to serve Contact: Deacon Becky btdorrell@gmail com
Brown Bags for Seniors
Each 2nd Friday of the month we travel to Second Harvest to help distribute food boxes to local seniors in need of food support Contact: Deacon Becky, btdorrell@gmail com
2025 VBS
June 2-6 9-12:00 pm
Pre-K -
Fifth Grade
We’re going on the ultimate Alaskan adventure where northern lights glow over majestic mountains, racing rivers, and glistening glaciers. We’ll trek the tundra, and explore how easy it is to lose sight of what’s true in our wild world today We will point toward Jesus, a faithful friend we can always trust He’s our True North!
Flower Ministry
Loving community in action
Every week volunteers with our Pastoral Care team disassemble altar arrangements and create bud vases that reach as many as 60 parishioners each month Recipients are often dealing with grief, recovering from surgery or illness, prevented from worshipping with us in person, or to celebrate
Once the flowers are arranged, the volunteers deliver them to homes and retirement communities For many of the recipients, this simple act of kindness helps them feel connected to the parish family they love so much It is also a wonderful act of stewardship to give the altar flowers a second life after they have adorned the altar
According to Flower Ministry coordinator Ellen Kuehm, “Everyone who has served as a volunteer notes that they feel as though they get more than they give from this ministry Our parishioners are so grateful that this is one of the most feel-good ministries we engage in. Who doesn’t like receiving flowers, after all?”
If you would like to be a part of this important ministry, reach out to coordinator Ellen Kuehm at ekuehm@gmail com
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