I love St. Olave’s because I feel that I have come to a loving home where one is accepted unconditionally.
For most of my life I have been a drop-in Christian. I first dropped into St. Olave’s when Rev’d Wigmore was here, then again when Rev’d Rose was here.
When my mother died in 2007, Rev’d Burrows was the incumbent. As I did not know anyone, I snuck into the back seats and Ruth Allen was there. She talked to me, listened to me, answered all my questions. It took a while, but because of her I did go to the Mary and Martha monthly meetings and started to get involved in church activities. It was then that I started to give rides to those who needed one, something I still do today.
It was not too long before I volunteered to be secretary of the ACW and was truly involved with a caring dedicated team of wonderful people. Since I started, there have been many. Penny Burrows, Jean Lilley, Evelyn Milligan, Marney Showalter, Judy Beal, Jill Dalton, Heather Cosgrave, Bernadette D’arcy and Ruth Allen. Today Rev’d Canon Ruth Smith guides the ACW Executive, Sheila Tait, Elizabeth Birmingham, Margaret Roze and Joan Funnell. We meet monthly.
The six of us work as a team, but we are only the organizers. Every woman in St. Olave’s is automatically a member of the Anglican Church Women. I know that when we have commitments, especially at times like the Lenten series, no one will be left alone. When there is a special need we have been overwhelmed with volunteers. I have not forgotten the outpouring of contributions for that fantastic Christmas dinner that Rev’d Alexandra organized.
Since Rev’d Robert Mitchell and Rev’d Alexandra Pohlod joined us, for the first time I have gained more knowledge of scripture and what it truly means to be a Christian. St. Olave’s has changed my life. I am honoured to be a member.