Story By Mary Bailey
Local pastors and spiritual support staff gathered Tuesday morning in the Community Room of Shepherd’s Cove Hospice for breakfast, fellowship and a time of gratitude for their service to their church and community.
Lyn Stone, Spiritual Care Coordinator for Shepherd’s Cove Hospice briefly spoke and welcomed everyone to the breakfast. “I want to thank you again for being here, we have some of our staff here to thank you and honor you for what you do, and we appreciate you being here,” she said. “I want to again thank you all for what you do. It is important that we share with you to encourage you to continue to serve our community. It’s not just about us it is about what all of us can do together that the Lord calls us to do. So, we are so thankful for you being here. This is the 40th year of spiritual care week and it is a national theme.”
Guest speaker for the breakfast was Mother Shari Harrison, Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Albertville.
“I grew in a Baptist Church not far from here. My daddy was a pastor, and my mother taught Sunday School. I literally grew up in that church and I loved it. I loved the hymns; I loved Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. To feel the sacred space was just part of me. And I hold a deep, deep appreciation for all the things I learned there,” Mother Sheri said. “I learned the value of time and treasure and talent in regard to God’s gifts to you and how you give those back to God. All of those lessons I hold dear in my heart, and I will always, always hold them in my heart.”
Mother Shari said as a young girl she noticed something she couldn’t quite name.
“There were limits. I never saw a woman minister in the pulpit or in any visible role,” she continued. “At eighteen I went away to college, and I left the Baptist Church.”
Mother Sheri said it took years and the faith of her husband to bring her back to church.
Although she lost her husband almost two years ago, her faith remained strong.
She is now the Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Albertville and feels she has found her place.
Mother Sheri is also a Hospice Chaplain.
“I only have one Hospice patient right now but I can tell you this. That relationship has been such a blessing to me. The stillness of those visits and the conversations and the quiet prayers,” she continued. “I am reminded that God is fully present especially at the end of life. I am profoundly grateful for all of you who give your lives to this kind of work. You are the hands and heart of Christ.”
Greg Cole pastor of Christ Redeemer Church in Guntersville was a first-time guest at the yearly breakfast, and he was comforted to know people appreciate what pastors do.
“It doesn’t matter what denomination we are or what city, it’s just an appreciation for pastors,” he said. “We just love people, love God and love our community. This is really nice, it’s just really good. It’s exciting to be out in the community and see what God is doing.”
For more information about volunteer opportunities at Shepherd’s Cove Hospice visit shepherdscovehospice.org.
