The Seed: The arts can welcome cognitive/ neurodivergent (i.e., developmental disabilities, autism) people into life in the community where meaningful work is possible.  Artistic endeavors, of all kinds, have the capacity to foster relationships and help us all break out of isolation and loneliness.

The Soil: Holy Comforter has a remarkable facility that during the week could serve as a community arts center. We have some financial resources and are looking for other funding to do this work. And finally, we are building partnerships to tend to the ‘field’ where this seed of a possibility might grow and thrive.

The Holy Spirit, Water of Life: Your leadership team trusts the life-giving Spirit that is most needed for this new ministry to germinate, grow and thrive. We know the Spirit must lead us in this effort and we must work slowly and carefully enough to let the Spirit be our guide and light.

The Sprout: Already, we discern a small sprout pushing through rich soil in search of the light. Together with DATSMOM, a local support group for the families of children with autism, we are going to pilot an arts-based respite program one Saturday afternoon in late January. Our hope is to make this an ongoing, monthly program.

We Pray and Work for This Small Sprout to Become a Sapling: Continuing to discern the call and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we respond by building the capacity of the community arts center here at Holy Comforter.  We will seek additional funding, build more partnerships, offer more programming, and reach out to serve more people in our community who need the blessing of safe, deeply meaningful engagement in community life.

Our Dream: Your leadership’s dream is that over the next few years, a self-sustaining community art center will flourish so people of different ages who need more structure and supervision than others, can join with established artists in the community, education specialists, and other volunteers, to do the transforming work of creating beautiful works of art.

Vestry

Senior Warden 

Steven Speaks 

Junior Warden 

Randy Bryan

Treasurer 

Mary Lois Monroe

Clerk

Jeri Tippit

Members:

Kathy Albree

Haynes Kelley

Rand Neeley

Amy Seanor