Stephanie Anderson is the new communications
and media coordinator at St. Gregory’s.
Photo provided
By Janis Fontaine
St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Boca Raton has a new communications and media coordinator. Stephanie Anderson joined the team at the church on June 16.
Anderson completed her master’s of fine arts degree in creative nonfiction at Florida Atlantic University in May. She already had a bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., where she majored in English with minors in philosophy and journalism. She served as special sections editor for Tri-State Neighbor, a regional newspaper in South Dakota, but her work as a journalist didn’t seem to be the best use of her gifts, she said.
In 2010, she accepted a position with Cross International in Pompano Beach and moved to South Florida. “The ministry and nonprofit arenas seem to be a good fit for me,” she said, and St. Gregory’s is appealing because “it’s an inclusive church that welcomes all. A contemporary church that combines traditional liturgical elements with progressive ideas. A traditional, holy worship experience and a community that is diverse, loving and deeply engaged.”
St. Gregory’s outreach programs for the poor, both locally and in Haiti, appealed to her strong social conscience. “My real passion is creative writing, and my special interest is nonfiction.”
She’s eager to use her skills to help promote the good work the church is doing, and hone her craft at the same time. “If I am going to work,” she said, “I want it to be work that matters.”
Anderson, who lives in Boca Raton with her husband, Ryan, said, “I was glad to jump right in and begin working on the St. Gregory’s newsletter, and on the promotion of the Summer Music Academy.”
Speaking of the music academy: The church is expanding this popular summer music program to include choral instruction, piano, strings, bells, theory and music history and appreciation this year. The church has added a program for older kids with a more contemporary focus.
Newcomer Beth Mankel will join Tim Brumfield to provide piano and vocal instruction, and Mankel will also work with the Simple Gifts Youth Band. Timothy Byrns, founder and director of the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra, joins the team as strings instructor.
The camp meets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 10-14. The fee is $125 for members, $150 for nonmembers. Call 395-8285 or visit www.stgregorysepiscopal.org for more information.
CROS Ministries gleaning local ripe produce
Can you say mangoes?
These luscious, juicy, colorful fruits are beginning to ripen! Don’t let them go to waste!
In its ongoing effort to serve the hungry in Palm Beach and Martin counties, CROS Ministries of Lake Worth uses volunteers to recover fresh fruits and vegetables from groves, fields and even people’s backyards. Food that would rot in the fields or on the ground can be collected and distributed to hungry neighbors by the Palm Beach County Food Bank and its food partners.
The gleaning season follows the growing season, and mangoes are at their peak from late June through the summer. To gather up the surplus produce, CROS hosts gleaning days every Saturday in July from 8:45 a.m. to noon. If you have a mango tree laden with fruit that would go uneaten, or if you would like to volunteer to glean (kids ages 5 and older are welcome; it’s never too early to teach them about the less fortunate people in our community), contact Keith Cutshall at CROS, 233-9009, Ext. 107.
Sheriff’s Office seeks chaplain applicants
Attention, working and retired chaplains. The Sheriff’s Office is looking for a part-time chaplain to join the nondenominational volunteer chaplaincy, which serves the employees (including civilians) of the Sheriff’s Office, as well as the spiritual needs of “civilians traumatized by an incident that rose to the level of police involvement.”
A commitment of 10 hours per week is required, as is “ordination or certification to preach, five years of clergy experience, and for those not seminary graduates, a high level of study in theology.” A chaplain can be called on to aid anyone of any faith. Training is provided.
For information, call lead chaplain Michael Tobey at 212-1014 or email tobeym@pbso.org or call unit manager Bill Gralnick at 688-4781 or email gralnickw@pbso.org.
Register for Vacation Bible School at Trinity
Trinity Church of Delray Beach is hosting its annual Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to noon July 13-17. Its theme is “Everest — Conquering challenges with God’s mighty power.”
Volunteers are needed to help organizers Lynn Mook and Heather Batson gather supplies and decorate.
If you can help, email lmook@trinitydelray.org.
5K run benefits JCC scholarship fund
The fifth annual Levis JCC Run, Sweat and Beers 5K benefits the JCC’s scholarship fund, which pays for programs throughout the year for kids who can’t afford the cost. This is an evening run beginning at 7 p.m. July 16 in South County Regional Park, 12251 Glades Road, Boca Raton.
Stick around after the race for free wings and beer (over age 21). Don’t eat wings? They’ll also have salad.
This Accuchip-timed race is part of the Racing with the J Series. For ages 10 and older. Registration is $25 until July 6, $30 July 7-15, and $35 race day. Check-in on race day is at the Sunset Pavilion.
For information, call 852-3257 or email laurenk@levisjcc.org.
Interfaith Café meets
The Interfaith Café meets from 7 to 9 p.m. July 16 at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach.
The group promotes interfaith dialogue, awareness, and understanding by uniting people of different faiths in conversation. A different topic is discussed each month. Coffee, tea and light desserts are served.
A donation of $5 is requested to defray expenses. Call 901-3467.
Lake Worth church prepping for food event
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 100 North Palmway, Lake Worth, hosts its signature event, the ninth annual Summer Wine And Food Tasting, on Aug. 9 this year. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. For more info, contact Margot Emery at margot@core-ensemble.cc or 582-6609.
Janis Fontaine writes about people of faith, their congregations, causes and community events. Email her at janisfontaine@outlook.com.
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