By Jill Andree
I don’t know about you, but this time of year can bring me a nervous energy in anticipation of the holidays.
But like any day in our lives, we have choices. Choices to get caught up in the intense schedule of everyday life or open our hearts and embrace the peace only God can provide.
3 years ago, I was hired as Fr. Bill’s Executive Assistant. I was “in training” when I witnessed my first Advent by Candlelight at Christ Church Cranbrook.
I didn’t know anyone at the church, and here I was, amid hundreds of women. I was handed a silver tray with flutes of champagne and was instructed to walk around the Guild Hall and pass the flutes to women I didn’t know.
I consider myself an overly social extrovert. But even the most confident extrovert could be shaken by a room full of hundreds of women who have known each other for years. I found myself feeling nervous and a bit alone in the fact that I knew absolutely no one.
I was taken under the wing of another fellow extrovert, the one and only Kellie Herdade, the Director of the Children and Youth Program. I found comfort in her booming voice, instructing me to check on the appetizers, stir the meatballs, and replace the shrimp cocktail and fruit when it got low. It kept me busy, while the women chatted and enjoyed each other’s company.
Next, we moved to the Sanctuary where the program was to begin. I found a seat at the end of a pew a few rows back.
Fr. Bill welcomed us in prayer, and we all settled in.
I had no idea what to expect. One by one, women from the congregation spoke about a poignant time in their lives. Each speaker had a designated theme – Joy, Peace, Love, and Hope. Christina Goerke, a brilliantly talented opera singer, filled the walls of the beautiful
church with her powerful voice between each of the women’s speeches.
I found myself completely moved. The nervous energy I had felt at the beginning of the night was dissipating.
It was then that a young mother, Sally Sperry, took the steps of the altar to the lectern and began to speak. Sharing her truth about her deep feelings of motherhood, the overwhelming challenges of life, and her faith in God. Her honesty and humbleness, her willingness to shine a light on something I have felt and experienced in my life brought me to tears.
These tears were not of sadness, but an opening in my heart. I hadn’t realized how much tension I was holding in my body until the tears flowed.
I felt a calming, peaceful warmth come over me. I looked around the church. I looked at the other women’s faces. I saw it in them as well.
This peace carried to the end as the lights dimmed and we all lit candles, joining our voices together to sing Silent Night. We all left in silence.
Fast forward 1 year later, Fr. Bill handed me the responsibility of chairing the Advent by Candlelight Committee. For the first time, the reception would be held in our new beautiful Atrium and adjoining rooms.
I still didn’t know a lot of women but was surrounded by a wonderful committee who was as passionate about making sure everyone felt welcome as I was. I wanted everyone to experience the peace that I felt at my first Advent by Candlelight the previous year.
There was a discussion at the first committee meeting that not all women wanted to host a table. The original tradition of women hosting tables, which included decorating with their fine china and inviting 7 of their friends was being challenged. Some of the committee members stated they didn’t have fine china or couldn’t fill a table. Their lives of working all day, with daycare and other schedules could get in the way.
So, with dedication and focus on the goal of making everyone comfortable, we decided to tweak the tradition. Making sure that the women who love to decorate and invite their friends could still do so while offering other options of pre-decorated tables, and strolling tickets for those who preferred not to sit at a table at all.
With these options, all women had a choice to do what felt most comfortable for them. I am so honored to be a part of an evening that provides the opportunity for the women of our congregation and their friends to gather and share in this beautiful experience.
As this is now my third year planning Advent by Candlelight, I reflect on how many women I have been able to get to know at Christ Church Cranbrook. Wonderfully strong women who have all experienced life’s ups and downs, and whose faith has been shaken at one time or another.
As we enter this season, I look forward to another opportunity to be a part of welcoming and being with these women, newcomers, and friends, inviting space in our hearts for the peace that only God can provide.
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”
If you have not had the chance to get your ticket to Advent by Candlelight, you can do so by clicking here.
Best Ms. Andree (i always want to give it the French pronunciation and spelling!),
I’m not a woman, but was very moved by your story of your initiation into CCC through that august body of women. Esp. your account of Sally Sperry’s address. Her husband, Robby, was a feisty under-ten when I was in this parish from 1989 and forward. So glad to see him with his lovely wife and children (child?) today. bless you always.