Fri., June 23, 2023
Hospitality
the reception committee
As we come upon the end of another program year together, we pause to behold the different ministries that thrived in our midst over the past months. Thank you for the love, care, time, and energy given to SJC ministries this year. Throughout June, we will highlight ministries and their leadership, culminating to "Gratitude Sunday" on July 2nd in the garden at Strawbery Banke.
Our reception committee core: Gladys Butterworth, Suzi Raeside, Elaine Wilson, Sandra Pagel, Carole Blenkinsop, Maggie Skafidas, Alison O’Malley, Margaret Sofio. Bertha Rocray.
Elaine describes a typical reception…
As each reception begins to wind down to a close and the little children are finally climbing into their parent’s arms, brushing off the last crumbs of the chocolate chip cookies, the family members come over to each of us to thank us for wonderful food and drink in a lovely setting, many say, each in their own way……
“It feels like home here; It’s so good for our family to be together in this place; I can feel the Spirit here; You have a loving community here. I can really feel it”…….
That’s what I am privileged to receive after my dear working friends and I begin the day by going through our checklist with the guiding hands of Gladys and Suzi.: Doilies, fresh flowers, clean tablecloths, napkins, coffee, tea, ice, food supplied by volunteers…..All of what would seem to be the most vital items for any reception, it is not. That is not the most important part of our receptions
We prepare, serve and then receive at the reception the compassion, the warmth, the sense of the Spirit and the feeling of the Beloved Community that permeates St. John’s Episcopal Church. Visitors and new friends are thankful for such a time.
It’s a good feeling, covered in doilies and fresh flowers. I love it!
Gladys says…Our success is a direct response of all the generous giving by those whom we call.
Carole writes…It was the kindness shown to my family and me by a reception being arranged at short notice when my husband, Ian died that made me want to be able to help others in a similar way.
Alison believes…We are a hard -working, humorous, positive, compassionate group of people. Being a part of this special ministry is a huge piece of my life.
Suzi remembers…One of my favorite memories was Joanne Ferguson’s Celebration of Life. We went to the closet where many of our accoutrements were stored, only to find it locked and no one had a key! We had to set up with NO DOILIES on the serving plates, a staple for the receptions. We were not able to get into the closet until the reception was well under way! I had to laugh, because I knew Joanne was looking down on us, saying, “No Doilies, Suzi!!” She always knew how to get things done! It is the joy of being surrounded by people who are completely altruistic. Who give of themselves, receiving nothing but the joy of helping people through a tumultuous time in their lives.
Margaret feels that…What I like about memorial service volunteering is having the busy group of mostly women easily seeing what needs to be done with flowers, preparing , talking and arranging food . In the back of our minds, remembering that we are showing love and compassion for a family facing loss, and helping celebrate a person we may not have known, but who was important to that family, and likely to others. For me, it is also a thank you to others who provided for me and a promise that others will be there for me when I need that consolation.
Bertha gratefully shares …As I have been fortunate to have the reception committee serve my family three times, it is one of the greatest gifts one is given as you say goodbye to a loved one. It is rewarding to work with a dedicated group of hard-working, fun-loving women.
One final comment from the group:
We would like to reduce the average age of the Reception Committee. If you think that you might like to join us:
BRING YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND OR DRIVER’S LICENSE INFORMATION TO GLADYS BUTTERWORTH 207-451-8357 OR SUZI RAESIDE 207-475-6163.