When Annis Wolcott, a beloved parishioner of St. James Church, Greenville, left a bequest to the church, specifically for the church to invest in new community ministry, parishioners prayerfully got to work. They realized a need to truly survey the community around them, and to assess needs. More importantly, they realized that they wanted to create opportunity for hands-on ministry that would allow many in the parish family to grow in relationship with neighbors.
They didn’t need to look far: Greenville is the county seat of Washington County, the home to many children in foster care. Parishioners approached the local Child Protective Services office to inquire about how they might be of support. It happened that the site of that year’s Christmas party for children in foster care had cancelled, and CPS social workers were searching for a place to hold a Christmas party.
What began as hosting a Christmas party became a thriving ministry – Annis’ Children – that brought many hands together to make a difference in the lives of children in the county.
Parishioners came together that year to purchase Christmas gifts for the children, make a meal, and host a festive evening for the children, families and social workers, alike. But parishioners stayed in touch with the local CPS office, inquiring about ongoing needs. They quickly realized that the overburdened social workers could use some care, too, and began delivering breakfast and snacks; they also refurbished the CPS visitation room. Soon, the social workers shared that there were many other needs, including school uniforms and supplies, coats and food boxes. St. James parishioners responded readily. A bit later, social workers shared that often, support was needed to keep children out of the foster care system: If a family member could take in a child who could no longer live in the parental household, that result was far preferred, but family members might not have immediate access to everything needed to give the children a home. St. James parishioners again prayed and responded, with one parishioner, George Baird, building beds and designing a kit that could be used by others to help keep beds ready for an urgent placement. A well-stocked storage area is filled with toys, clothing, bedding and other necessities, allowing parishioners to respond immediately to social workers’ requests.
Now with the Junior Auxiliary of Greenville and the Italian Ladies Auxiliary partnering in support, the ministry continues to thrive and serve neighbors in Washington County. The ministry is particularly meaningful to the Rev. Brandt Dick, rector, and his wife, Erica. The couple adopted their older daughter and were trained as foster parents while Brandt was in seminary. After moving to Mississippi, they were retrained, and provided a home for two foster children they later adopted.
Brandt notes that the ministry “keeps evolving as we find better ways to do what we’re doing.”
And the ministry of Annis’ Children has become a model: When Brandt shared with the Rev. Don Chancellor, rector of Church of the Nativity, Greenwood, the on-going work of the ministry, Don was moved and suggested that the Nativity parish family prayerfully contemplate learning whether a similar ministry might be helpful in Leflore County. Now, the Episcopal Church Women of Church of the Nativity are beginning to prayerfully explore needs and build relationships in Greenwood, hoping to emulate St. James’ work supporting children in another county.
The work of caring for children in our communities is urgent and important; children need a good start, and a solid foundation. More than anything, children need to know how much they are loved. The ministry of Annis’ Children reminds us all that there are so very many ways to share our love, in a world sorely in need of that message.
