| Volunteer Needs:
Van Drivers
(Tues and Thurs)
Kitchen Servers
(Tues and Thurs)
Food Prep Assistants
(Monday)
Health Professionals
(Tues and Thurs)
Arts Instructors and Activities Leaders
(Tues and Thurs) |
Click Here
for a complete listing of Friendship Center volunteer opportunities.
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737 Woodland Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30316
(404) 627-6510 | |
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Greetings!
Teresa was studying to become a school teacher when schizophrenia became a permanent feature of her life. She has now lived almost two decades with the voices. If you attend one of our worship services, you will recognize her as the one whispering, "Hurry up, Father Mike." As her "whispers" increased in volume a few months ago, concern grew about her disruptions of worship. After an especially difficult Sunday morning, a small group gathered outside the sacristy to discuss what to do. We wondered whether she really wanted to be in worship and whether we knew what she wanted. Soon we were brainstorming ways of coming alongside Teresa during worship to calm her restlessness. Our impulse to exclude retreated as some offered to take turns as Teresa's worship companions. Sometimes that means sitting with her. Sometimes it means inviting her to go outside for a while. Sometimes it means sitting with her at a picnic table during the entire service. Teresa's behavior has changed little over these months, but we have been changed as we have watched Teresa's companions love her through her restlessness.
For a quarter of a century, Holy Comforter has been a place where people with and without mental illness have become friends and companions. Holy Comforter is a messy place. It is a place that
endlessly frustrates our urge to control. It is a place that gives 21st Century life to Mary's ancient song: "He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly." It is a place that embodies the challenge of the Incarnation to embrace others as God has embraced us. I can wish you no greater Christmas blessing than that you might come face to face with our Lord Jesus Christ in the face of one who hears voices and rocks your world with her voices.
Even messy places need money. Holy Comforter and the Friendship Center are no different. We need your generous gifts.
In thanks for you and for Mary's son,
Mike+ |
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Gardener Spotlight: Barry Yancey |
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Barry Yancey has piercing, Paul Newman eyes that twinkle when he hears...or tells a joke. And they twinkle when he talks about the gardening program at the Friendship Center. Barry has been a member of Holy Comforter Church since 1991 and has been coming to the Friendship Center since 1996.
Gardening at the Holy Comforter began about twenty-five years
ago. The program was formalized with a grant from the Georgia Mental
Health Consumer Network in 2000. Barry Yancey was one of the first
participants in the program. "I met this woman, May C. (May C. Brown,who directs the program) and she asked me if I wanted to volunteer. I liked May C., like the church. " He also liked the possibility of earning a little money. The program pays some of the participants after they have volunteered a while and been evaluated as gardeners. According to May C., Barry volunteers as much as he works for pay. "I love gardening...planting is my favorite thing, sizing up (putting new plants in a cup so they can grow). I like to see the plants grow from the seed. You stick your finger in a hole, put in the seed; in about a week you have a plant. This is greenhouse work (paid). And I do outside work (volunteer), clean the lawns and beds, rake and plant bushes. That's hard work, but I like it. And watering...that's important. I just like helping and working with the other gardeners." With that, Barry ends our interview. He flashes me a smile and goes back to work. As usual, there's a lot to do.
Lynda Greer |
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Help Host Puppy Playtimes at the Friendship Center |
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This fall, volunteer Elizabeth Petvokich brought several puppies from the Atlanta Humane Society for our first ever puppy playtime!
We need more volunteers to help grow this pet visiting program. If you're interested in learning more, please contact Elizabeth at epetkovich@seligenterprises.com
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Eagle Scouts Build New Gardening Display Area |
Many thanks to Eagle Scout Troop #797 for all of the hard work they put into constructing a new plant display area for the gardening program.
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Upcoming Events |
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Friendship Center Closings
The Friendship Center will be closed during the last two weeks of December. Regualar programming will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 5.
Christmase Eve Service
Holy Comforter's Christmas Eve service will be held at 7pm.
All are welcome
Mark Your Calendars for Spring Plant Sales!
Saturday, March 20(10am-2pm)
Saturday, April 10 (10am-2pm)
Saturday, May 1 (10am-2pm)
Come support our gardening program and purchase organic vegetables, perennials, annuals, and herbs for your spring garden | |
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The Friendship Center at Holy Comforter
