Belonging and Memories
We interview volunteers from around the church about why they love St. John's and how they're finding belonging. Today, we're chatting with Jo Ann West. She and her husband Larry Veit live in Victor, Idaho, and run the Teton Valley Laundry Love. Jo Ann serves as a lay eucharistic minister and is inspired by the work and the people of St. John's Church.
Serving as a Lay Eucharist Minister (LEM) at St. John’s and helping to administer the chalice during holy communion for me is more than an incredible privilege. It is an answer to a prayer to be part of the holy mystery around the communion table, to offer the sacred vessel to waiting hands, to see the love in other’s eyes as they accept the cup. This is a blessing that words cannot describe.
I have beautiful childhood memories of helping my grandmother with her altar guild work and that is where the peace and sacredness of holy places became a necessary part of my life. She showed me through her love of serving that helping in any way for the preparation of worship is a form of prayer.
From the prayer that is offered by our clergy before the service begins to the closing blessing and hallelujahs, my heart overflows with gratitude to be a part of this church family and to serve as a LEM.
