Parish Well-Being
A highlight of St. Mary's well-being is service to those in the parish and community at times of celebration as well as contemplation. We offer various ministries that allow members of the parish (as well as those who aren't) opportunities to connect and to foster well-being for others. From offering hospitality at a funeral or coffee hour to blanketing a new baby or someone in deep need with a prayer shawl, you can find a way to connect to one of these ministries.
Collations
Collation means "to bring together" and it our belief at St. Mary's that this "bringing together" over food and drink, helps in remembering the deceased, brings some closure for family and friends, and dispells grief after the funeral gathering.
People who come to the reception offer comfort and companionship to the deceased’s loved ones. Memories of this celebration can lift spirits and ease loneliness and grief in the bleak months that follow.
St. Mary's ministries offers collations in the Parish House for all who desire it. Food, drink, and service are provided by members of St. Mary's.
Hospitality
St. Mary's prides itself in its warm welcome to newcomers and members. Whether it is coffee hour after service, a potluck, or a reception following a funeral, many events in the parish offer opportunities for meeting for food and fellowship.
Pastoral Care
We are all the body of Christ, whether we worship in church or at home. The pastoral care team reaches out to St. Mary's shut-ins and house-bound parishioners. Lay Eucharistic visitors take communion to those who are house-bound as well. Other ways of caring for parishioners include preparing meals, running errands, sending note cards, and driving folks to appointments when needed.
- Pauline Davis at
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry at St. Mary’s has been making prayer shawls, hats, scarves and mittens, and baby blankets for those in need of warmth and love for quite a while now. Each item - whether it is knitted, crocheted or sewn - is made with love and concern for the recipient.
All prayer shawls include the following blessing -
May this shawl enfold you, encircle you and empower you.
May this shawl show you that you are loved.
It is a shawl of protection, wholeness, strength, healing and patience.
This ministry also makes hats, mittens and blankets for those in need. This past fall the knitters donated 80 mittens, 13 baby blankets, 56 hats and 3 crocheted purses to the Martin Luther King Center.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. All those who knit, crochet, or prefer some other kind of fiber art, are welcome.
- Jeanne Derrah at