Thirteen years ago I met Jan Brown when she started attending Hickory Neck Episcopal Church. I was fresh out of seminary and had just begun my ordained ministry about a month earlier. No sooner had I learned about her work than I was referring someone to her for services at the recovery community organization that she had started, SpiritWorks Foundation. Three years later, in 2011, after having partnered with SpiritWorks on a number of projects, I found I was in need of the recovery community myself. I sought out Jan's advice as I was facing the consequences of a lifetime of co-dependency. Exhausted, overwhelmed by my need to please every one, be the hero, and save the day, I was running out of energy, health, and hope. Jan recommended I start attending a 12-step group, and thus began my journey to co-dependent recovery.
About a year later I began working at SpiritWorks. Having experienced healing and hope in the recovery community, I wanted to be part of offering that to others. Since then I have had the great good fortune of participating in the transformation of lives. It is such a huge privilege to walk with people as they make the transition from despair to hope. The journey from addiction to recovery can be very challenging, and not everyone makes it on this side of the grave. Some days the work is heartbreaking, and other days are a celebration of milestones achieved. We offer groups and activities, trainings and education, community and coaching, healing and hope.
The greatest joy of my work has been creating the First Fridays Recovery Eucharist. On the first Friday of each month, our community gathers. It includes individuals in active addiction and in recovery, parents with addicted children and parents whose children have died as a result of fatal overdoses, friends and family, allies and mentors, members of Bruton Parish and members of other congregations around the area. Pre-Covid we even had someone who journeyed each month from North Carolina to attend. We have baptized babies and adults, witnessed marriages and vow renewals, buried those who have died, and had memorial services for those we've lost. At First Fridays tears are welcome, and we all celebrate joys together. To me, the First Fridays worshiping community provides a glimpse of what the heavenly banquet will look like.
It is my great pleasure to support SpiritWorks, and Kasee and I hope you will too, if you can. We're so grateful for so many who are a part of the healing and hope that we offer to people journeying from addiction to recovery.
Micah, Martha, and Shadow also appreciate your support!!
