Parish Visitors
Bob Comey

As Charlie Browning writes in the annual report, “The Chapel of the Cross wants to be sure all are remembered.” That's where the 12-member Parish Visitors Group, which Charlie heads, plays an important role. At least once a month, the visitors, individually or in teams, see more than 20 homebound parishioners.

“We are part of an overall family,” he explained recently, “and we must remember the words of Our Lord: 'That you love one another.' ”

Other visitors agree. “I'm doing something for my fellow parishioners,” Eleanor Taggart says. “It is a family - a huge family. In a way I feel I am taking care of people who did something for the church. I feel I am doing God's work.”

“It's important to me to be serving the church,” Teddy Lovejoy explains, “since the church has given so much to me. I have chosen to be involved in Parish Visitors because I want to be a part of the church's mission to take care of our own members. We need to maintain our connection with the shut-in people who are so frail, so wise, so dependent, and often so full of life experiences. And they are in need of a continued connection with the church.” She says of a 97-year-old woman, “She and I both feel that we are very lucky to have found each other and we have become really connected, true friends.”

Barbara White, recalling her visits with Eleanor Godfrey, expresses similar sentiments. “We had delightful visits, but I had no idea what an incredible woman she was until I went to her memorial service.”

Vicky Jamieson-Drake, the clergy representative to the Parish Visitors, adds, “In my role, I recognize that these people were really important to this parish in their earlier years.  What I hope we communicate to them is that they are still important and valued members of our church community.”

Marian Hooper sees visiting as “an act of thanksgiving for my many blessings. You want to give of yourself in thanksgiving. It's a need to give back. One of the most strengthening things we can receive is knowing that someone out there cares for us.”

“I like to be needed and wanted,” Charlie says. “They often say to me, 'You seem to get here when I need you most. I have a crisis and want to talk and you are here to talk.'

“Mariechen Smith and I visit two women as a team. They always urge us to come back soon, and their immediate relatives appreciate our visits. A few weeks ago, one of the women said to be sure to waken her if she is dozing. 'I can doze anytime; I can't have visitors anytime,' ” she explained.

Although the Parish Visitors would like to expand, they recognize reluctance. As Charlie says, “I ask people to go see people and they say, 'Go see people we don't know? Heavens, no.' ”

“It's not easy greeting and befriending people whose lives are so near the end, or who are so alone, or so dependent,” Teddy says. “It sometimes hurts just to think of their condition. I hope that someone will want to visit me when I am in this stage of life because I know it means a lot to me to have someone to talk to.”

Give visiting a try, perhaps by accompanying one of us on a visit. Feel free to contact Vicky or any group member (the others are Sankey Blanton, Molly Cameron, Mary Esser, Dorothy McLaughlin, and Nancy Sitterson).