St. Martha's Guild

St. Martha's Guild was perhaps the first 'pastoral care' group at Grace Church. Marie Botsis, Vivian Kinglsley's sister organized a group of female volunteers to call on six or seven elderly ladies of the church. That was fifty years ago.

The volunteers of St. Martha's Guild now number over a dozen and both men and women call on about twenty primarily shut-in members and friends of Grace Church. St. Marth'as has been a part of so many past and present families that there are very few who aren't aware of the ministry.

The work of St. Martha's is basically to be a friend. To call on someone who can no longer participate by getting to church each week. It's more about caring and sharing than about "doing" something. As Rev. Jean Christofferson - who once led the group - was fond of saying, "we are 'human beings' and not 'human doings'. That is a big part of St. Martha's - just 'being' with one another even for a short time, listening - and hearing - and caring. It's about friendship, one on one. It's not losing sight of those we seldom see but continue to love.

If someone you love needs to be visited at home or at a care center, contact the church office. If you would like to become a St. Martha's visitor, contact Peg Keegin at pkeegin@aol.com or any of the twelve other St. Martha's Guild members.