Carolina Meadows Service

Laura Benedict

Carolina Meadows residents Patty Hairston, Phyllis Dowd, and Mariechen Smith were the organizers of our congregation. At our first service, Patty wondered if we would have as many as eight people, and chose the Library in The Fairways room accordingly. (We had 18.) As our participants grew in number, we moved to the Fireplace Room and later to our present location in the Living Room. It was a joy for all of us to see our family grow. The service is held the first Sunday of each month at 10:00 a.m.

The Rev. Grayson Clary, retired, served as our principal celebrant from October of 1998 until May 1, 2004. The Rev. Vicky Jamieson-Drake recruited him and is our liaison with the Chapel of the Cross. The parish has provided our 1940 Hymnals and the Service Booklets. While we use Episcopal service materials, we have always welcomed all who want to participate in the worship service with us.

The purchase of the cross and the communion vessels was made possible by our own contributions. The Chapel of the Cross gave us the candlesticks and the small communion set used by our Lay Eucharistic Ministers. The burse and veil which cover the chalice and paten are also gifts of the Chapel of the Cross. Our lovely hanging was made by Phyllis Dowd.

In the beginning, members of the congregation arranged the chairs and the altar table for our service. Later, Carolina Meadows graciously installed the living room entrance doors and had their personnel arrange the room for the service. A sound system was installed and a podium was built.

Publicizing our services and providing leaflets for the Scripture Readings is a contribution by Claire Hardy and Phyllis Dowd. Our Altar Guild members, Jane Connelly and Laura Benedict, are faithful in their preparation duties. The service is made more meaningful by many lectors and intercessors. We are fortunate to have a number of volunteer pianists enhance our worship.

The Lay Eucharistic Ministers Mariechen Smith, Bob Comey, and Marion Peterson have been invaluable in helping in the service and taking Communion to those persons unable to attend.

Until recently, the late Andy Lunde served as our capable treasurer and he will be missed. Residents' generous contributions have been used to support a number of worthy causes: Flood Relief, Calvary Church, Tarboro, 1999; National Episcopal Church Relief and Development, Oct. 2001; Chatham County Council on Aging, 2002; Inter-Faith Council, 2002 and 2004; Habitat for Humanity, 2002; Community Outreach Alliance, 2004; and Thompson Children's Home, 2004. The total of these gifts is $5,500.

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© 2004 The Chapel of the Cross