THE EMPTY CHAIR: The Empty Chair, a peer support group for adults grieving the death of a sibling, is being offered at St. Mary of the Hills. Participants determine the flow and direction of each meeting. [It is not curriculum-based, no books, no shoulds, no ‘have-tos’. Just a few people gathered together who ‘get it’]. While the group is open to anyone having lost a brother or sister, a time of at least six months since the death is advised. Otherwise there is no limit regarding time since loss. Carol Berns, Psy. D., F. T., is the lead facilitator. Carol’s extensive professional experience has focused on loss and bereavement and the value of a peer support model. If you, or someone you know, is interested in joining us now or in the future please contact Carol at 828-783-8437 or Bannerelkcarol.gmail.com.

HELP NEEDED

BREAD OF LIFE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Five teams of men and women from St. Mary’s and the Blowing Rock community provide a meal once a month for residents of the Hospitality House (homeless shelter) in Boone, NC.  Each of the five teams is designated a certain night each month to make a meal.

We are in desperate need of additional team members to help prepare and serve one meal a month. Actually, each team member is responsible for one item (vegetable, starch, main course, salad, desert) a month and is paired with another team member who prepares the same thing, so as not to place a burden on one person. The food can either be prepared at home and brought in or cooked in the ovens at Hospitality House. We serve at 5:30 pm and are finished by 6:30 pm AND the residents of Hospitality House clean-up and wash the dishes! This outreach program is an easy way to contribute to the community with only a once a month commitment.

If you have questions about this wonderful outreach program at St. Mary’s, please contact Susie Morgan via email at morgansb@appstate.edu or by cell at 828-719-7471.

ALTAR GUILD NEEDS YOUR HELP! We are looking for parishioners who will commit to one Sunday a month to serve by setting up and clearing the Sunday altar. For those of you who do not have a ministry in the Church and have been wondering what you could do, this is a wonderful way to help.  Please contact the office if you are interested. 

COMMUNION BREAD:  You may have noticed that now that Advent is over, we are back to using our homemade communion bread.  We are looking for a few more people who might be willing to bake bread.

If this is a ministry you’d like to be involved in, contact Jo Ann Hallmark at joannhallmark@bellsouth.net or 295-3738 to get more information.