First Holy Eucharist celebrated at future site of St. Catherine’s

Forty parishioners of all ages gathered Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, for Church in the Garden. This was the first Holy Eucharist celebrated on the property that one day will be the home of St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church in Chelsea. The celebration took place just steps away from the parish’s vegetable garden, which grows produce for the church’s Beans and Rice ministry.

Among the highlights of the service was the annual Blessing of the Backpacks. Students, teachers and administrators had their backpacks, totes and briefcases blessed for the new school year. They received luggage tags for their bags with space for their contact information and a blessing from Numbers 6:24-26. 

In addition to parishioners’ bags, 10 backpacks donated by a member of the church were blessed. Filled with school supplies, these backpacks will make their way to children at Brighton School in Jefferson County.

After the service, the congregation headed across the road to Chelsea Recreational Park where they shared a delicious potluck lunch that included grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. Folks had time to talk and laugh on a wonderful day of worship, food and fellowship.  

– Submitted by Pam Kimball.