St. Simon Peter and Their Relationship with Lakeside Hospice

On February 17th, St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church in Pell City hosted a Mardi Gras Dinner Dance and Silent Auction to benefit Lakeside Hospice, a non-profit hospice started in 1991 by members of the parish. Lakeside believes that all people are entitled to spend their final journey with dignity and respect; they provide patients “quality of life”. This is the fifth time in recent years St. Simon Peter has held a dinner dance event to raise money for various ministries. It has become a popular activity with sellout crowds each year.

Lakeside Hospice: Founded by Members of St. Simon Peter

In 1991, Dr. Alex and Janis Miller, members of St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church, Pell City, founded Lakeside Hospice, a not-for-profit organization with a mission to care for the terminally ill. They saw a need in their community for this kind of care, as there was no hospice in St. Clair County. Dr. Miller served as the Executive Director and Medical Director, and his wife, registered nurse Janis Miller, became the Nursing Director. Fellow church members Phyllis Brown, Van Foreman, and Sylvia Darnell volunteered their time as office manager, chaplain, and social worker. All five worked pro bono for the first several years.

Lakeside was the first not-for-profit hospice in the United States with a Medical Director who made home visits, and in the beginning the group from St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church worked out of the Millers home. Initially, so small that Medicare would not pick them up, 32 years later this faith-based organization offers care in eight counties, and serves not only patients with Medicare or insurance, but patients regardless of their ability to pay, and provides them with the same level of care. In addition to nursing care and other hospice care, they provide pet therapy, music therapy, Chaplain services, Alzheimer’s support group meetings, barber services, massage therapy and numerous other support services to help patients stay in their home close to loved ones and caregivers.

Our elaborately decorated parish hall was filled with more than 80 people who enjoyed a gourmet Cajun Buffet (prepared by our own parishioners) featuring shrimp etouffee, red beans and rice, Cajun chicken pasta, corn salad, corn muffins, bread pudding and King cake. Rich Goodman and Andrea Brown were crowned king and queen of the Mardi Gras, and everyone enjoyed dancing to music provided by Mike Shell Entertainment. Do zens of auction items were available including a guitar signed by Willie Nelson, Alabama and Au burn collectibles, and art by local artists.

Thanks to the efforts of the whole parish, and the support of the community, over $9000.00 was raised to benefit the important work of Lakeside Hospice.

Ellen Mayer, member of St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church