By Alana Woods
When I started going to St. George in 2002, it never occurred to me the changes it would make in me. I morphed from being one of those who made a beeline to the car right after the Sunday service to being called a compulsive volunteer (of which I’m proud). It was a slow, gradual change. Here’s my story.
During my first few months at St. George, there was an Alpha class with dinner on Wednesday evenings. The meal was $3, and it was an opportunity to get to know other parishioners. I thoroughly enjoyed going every Wednesday even though it was across town from where I worked and lived. As I was helping set up one evening, Julabeth Carden innocently asked me what I did at Southwest Research Institute. I told her that I worked on the website. She quickly said, “Ray [Cole]! Alana works on the web.” And, that night, I was recruited to help with the St. George website, which I did for a couple of years.
When the first ministry fair was held shortly after I became a member, I cheerily signed up as a Greeter and a volunteer at the Bargain Boutique one Saturday a month. I enjoyed the Bargain Boutique so much that before I knew it, I was working more and more – practically every Saturday. It was an opportunity to serve St. George and the community, and the social butterfly in me was fed as I got to know the regular customers and the other volunteers. In early 2007, I left the Bargain Boutique, but that wasn’t the end of my volunteering. God had other plans for me.
As my daughter Kaycie and I planned her wedding at St. George later that year, she mentioned that she had to call May Awe, the Wedding Coordinator. I had been at St. George five years, and I didn’t know we had a wedding coordinator. Because being a wedding coordinator had been a secret aspiration, I observed May and asked if I could assist her. Of course, she said yes! Before I knew it, I was being introduced as the one taking over Wedding Coordinator duties. But, to be a Wedding Coordinator, I really should be on Altar Guild so I’d know how to set up for a wedding, and it would be a good idea to be a Lay Eucharist Minister so I could help serve Holy Communion during weddings.
I was asked to be on the Willmann Trust Board, and I gladly accepted. The Board meets 4 times a year; it’s a way to help hurting people without being a big time commitment. I knew the Board existed, but I didn’t know how it worked and what an impact it makes on the community. I am so grateful for my time on the Board even though I’m not continuing next year.
For a couple years, Fr. Ram suggested that we attend all services during Holy Week to get the full impact of the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection. In 2016, I decided to take that challenge. He was right! By attending all the Holy Week services, I did feel the impact of Christ’s sacrifice for us much more than just attending Sunday services. In 2017, I took it a step further by attending both Sunday services as a sacrifice during Lent. The joke was on me. It wasn’t a sacrifice at all! Not only did I get to hear both versions of the sermon (there’s always a slight difference because of the different demographics in those attending), I also got to see everyone who attended the Sunday services. Again, I attended every Holy Week service with the same results of getting to know Jesus and his sacrifice for our sins a little better. After Lent, I continued attending both services, and I still do today. Heck, if the choir can do it and survive, so can I.
One day, Roy Thompson said something that caused me to make yet another change. He talked about a lady who lived across the street from St. George who was there every time the doors were open. She attended every service and function. Until he said that, it never occurred to me to try that, but I did. I’ve become one of those little old ladies who practically lives at the church, and I love it!
I was hanging around between services one Sunday when Keith Earle asked if I could step in as an usher. Of course, I said, “Yes.” Then, the Connection Center was established, and I agreed to be at the Connection Center table. The Connection Center was a bit of a stretch for me because I’m shy (no lie). I’m not good at meeting new people, but with Marilynne Herbster’s help, I was able to ease into it.
In 2017, Julabeth and Marilynne asked me to help them with posters and brochures for their ministries. In May, all the ministry leaders were gathered to write about our particular ministry to help spread the word about them. I was recruited to help gather the information and put it in a form that could be distributed to the church members. As we were walking out of that meeting, Barbara Simon and I talked about one of her ministries, the Funeral Reception Committee, and I volunteered to help her. This committee has been such a blessing to me and, hopefully, those who mourn the loss of a loved one. The ladies I work with are angels. Not only do they bring food, they volunteer their time to set up, help during the reception, and clean up afterward. This is another opportunity for this shy social butterfly to get to know folks at St. George.
I am now a member of the Vestry. This is my first year of three. Vestry members are “voluntold” to be on committees, which just feeds my wish to be more involved. When I introduced myself to the Vestry last October, I mentioned that I loved St. George, and I couldn’t wait to retire so I could spend more time at St. George. In December, I celebrated 40 years at Southwest Research Institute, and I went up to be blessed during the Sunday service. Fr. Ram had me tell the congregation what I told the Vestry. In June, I was able to make that transition. I retired and spent most of the summer with my grandsons, easing into volunteering at St. George.
I was recently asked to co-lead the Altar Guild, which I happily accepted. It sounds like I have many irons in the fire — that I’m taking on too much. But, honestly, each of the ministries that I’m part of are small time and effort commitments. Each of them gives to me so much more than I give to them.
It took two years for Marti Nodine to convince me to check out St. George Episcopal Church. I joke that she dragged me by my hair, kicking and screaming. I’ll be forever grateful to her for her patience and persistence. I feel like I’m home when I’m at St. George, whether it’s at a social function, a Sunday service, or a meeting. I thank God for putting Marti in my path and for blessing me with my St. George family.