March 31, 2022

Holy Comforter

| Newsletter |

Nurturing New Seeds of Parish Life

Dearest Holy Comforter Family,

On Sunday, we will have a Town Hall at the end of the service. It will give your vestry an opportunity to share with you what projects are underway, how we are doing financially, and how we are working with other congregations to serve God’s people. A few times in the past couple of work weeks, the energy and momentum have been palpable in rooms and halls that had been so quiet during the week for 2 years. We are finding our way into a future with many challenges, for sure, but right here, right now, there is a whole lot of life to celebrate. There is newness of life, even in the midst of Lent, in two ways in particular.

The work of the child

A few of us have been slowly working to lay the foundations for a faith formation program for the young children who are growing and thriving in our midst. I go by the room filled with “Godly Play” materials and my heart skips a beat. Like the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Godly Play is based on Maria Montessori’s approach to childhood learning and growth. One day before too long, Rains, David, and Ruth will get to start more formally exploring the relationship they already have with God. For now, the aim is to put together activities for Rains and David that engage them in the ‘precursors’ of faith formation. In “Montessori Talk” they are known as ‘practical life” and ‘sensory development’ activities.  Sorting pompons according to color, shaking small bottles filled with colorful beads and other small treasures, pulling beautiful, multi-colored, and multi-textured ribbons from one side of a lid to the other, are all examples of what Maria Montessori called “the work of the child.” 

We delight in watching little ones engaged in these kinds of activities; these activities are the very definition of playfulness and joy. Montessori insisted that this is also the work of gaining skills that nurture independence, curiosity, and wonder. The plea of the child is 'help me help myself.' and if you have ever been around a toddler, you know how much they value doing tasks like putting shoes on by themselves, how eager they are to help with tasks around the house. Giving them ways to do ‘the work of the child’ with beautiful materials is one of the ways in which we can offer our toddlers hospitality, help them know they are at the heart of our common worship.

Make One, Take One

Along with tending to the youngest amongst us, we continue to pay attention to those who are still dealing with isolation in one way or another. On Sunday, April 24th, we are going to pilot a new program for fellowship and service called “Make One, Take One.” After church, those who have signed up to participate will join Zola and me in the kitchen to cook a couple of dishes that will be complemented with bag salad and rolls. By the end of the cooking time, each participant will have 2 complete meals—one to take home for supper that night and one to take to a member of the parish who needs the ‘pick-me-up’ of a nice meal they can either freeze or heat up and eat that evening. We will have a list of people who would be blessed by a meal and ask participants to each take one meal to one person on that list. This is simply another small way of reminding those who have a hard time joining us in person that they matter, that we think of them, and hold them dear. There will also be time, while different parts of the meal cook, for fellowship and laughter amongst those who choose to help us test this possible new ministry. Watch for more information about how to reserve your spot and come help us “Make One, Take One“!

Small steps. Small seeds that will need to be nurtured and watered and tended. Enormous hope for the future God is helping us build at Holy Comforter! With prayers for the waning days of Lent to be filled to the brim with grace and goodness! Rosa+

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Fifth Sunday in Lent

Holy Eucharist

April 3, 2022 | 10:00AM

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Events, Programs & Updates

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Birthdays & Anniversaries 

Watch over thy children O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their heart may thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Birthdays

Matt Gilmore, Meghann Liveoak, Randy Bryan, Michael Paul, Connie Tapia, Jenna Moore, John Anzalone, Alex Hodges, Jeri Tippit, Ami Simpson

Anniversaries

Randy Woodland & John Gantt

Please Pray For

  Parishioners Nancy Boston, Ann Carlton, Rob Dailey, Fred Earle, Sidney Hennessey, Jason Hicks, Lamar Higgins, Mac & Douglass Porter, Lea Russell, Claudene Thomas, Judith Granger Ward

Friends Tracey Bailey, Eileen Black, Elizabeth Via Brown, Justin Bryan, Cindi Colley,

John Conway, Gay & Harry Curlin, Jo-Ann Currie, Todd Daniels, Jayce Davidson, 

Casey Dodd, T. J. Esco, Nan Fairley, Julie Gantt, Linda Garrett, Judy Glanzer, 

Rosine Hall, Rick & Becky Harris, Alison Hill, Jay Hornsby, Tom Hyde, 

JoAnn Ivey, Brenda Jones & family, Sharon Kelley, Dorothy King, John Nelson, 

Sharon M. Nelson, Michelle Northsworthy, Nanette Olson, Patricia, 

Dianne Pinkston, Dusty Pouncey, Samuel Purcell & family, Dave Seanor,

Arthur Segal, Joe Soliday, Riley Soliday, Taylor Scroggins, Caroline Simpson, 

Michal Slovic, Niki Smith, Isaiah Taylor, Christina Waite, Joe Wilkins, 

Patsy Wilkins, Ben Winbury, Ellen Wood

Students Emma Franklin, Will Franklin, Addie Hoffman, Caroline Lee, Will Lee,

Taylor McLemore, Michael Moore, Rachel Moore, Mary Ellen Neeley, 

Charles Speaks, Thomas Speaks, Connie Tapia, Braxton Trest