Saturday, April 30, 2022

Suzi Raeside

It Doesn’t “Just” Happen

During Holy Week I attended a number of services, all beautiful. It occurred to me that, "It doesn't just happen". I thought of the hours John Stromgren's Compline choir must have practiced. Those joyful, beautiful voices "don't just happen". Then I looked at the altar, and I think it was the prettiest Easter altar I can remember. Of course looking at the altar made me think of the countless hours that Bertha Rocray and her Altar Guild put in just that week for the 16 or more services.

On Easter I broke ranks with my 8:00 group and attended the 9:15 service (I have to have music on Easter). I wondered how many hours Jennifer and the full choir had put in to produce our familiar and exquisite Easter hymns. Oh yes, and what about all those programs, a new one each day, that Rebecca produced for our use.

Did you attend the Choir School Recital? I did and left with tears streaming down my cheeks, and I wasn't alone. Olin, Ashley, and Jennifer had worked their magic with these lovely children.

This all leads to this past weekend when we celebrated Katherine Howe's life and the next day the Bishop's visit with two large receptions. Gladys Butterworth and I got on our phones to solicit volunteers to help and to bake and cook for both receptions. You just kept saying, "Yes" to everything we needed. Reggie and Gerry had made our lives easier by bringing all the reception paraphernalia upstairs. Sandra Pagel and Elaine Wilson went through and organized our closet.

I can tell you, I was truly giddy at the chance to once again work with our incredible Reception committee. It has been 2 1/2 years for me. I was away so was not able to be at Sarah Hamill's funeral. This was my first time back!

I stepped back and looked at our lovely Thaxter Hall, with ambient lighting, freshly painted walls, new pew bench, lovely stage art, and tables laden with beautiful dishes, and thought to myself, "It doesn't just happen".

What a community we have. It is a gift from God with many hours put in from each and every one of you. Thank you.