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Stewardship 2027 - Plenty Good Room
On Sunday, Diane Pfaus shared her story of how she came to St. John's and why she shares her time, talents and treasures.
Good morning.
I have heard it said that we plan and God laughs. I believe it should be that we plan and God intervenes and guides us. Having retired and moved to Clearwater in July of 2020, many of my plans were impacted by the Covid lockdown. However, in retrospect, I now feel God’s hand was guiding me to where I needed to be and what I needed to do.
I was hoping to find a church and begin attending but instead had to visit online via recorded services. The most important part of identifying the right church is the people and the feeling created before, during, and after the service. You cannot get that online.
My first visit to St. John’s was to drop off some donations to the Thrift Shop. I went to the Shop to confirm that the donations I was making were appropriate. I was greeted by a group meeting at the checkout area and was warmly welcomed. I was told about the various outreach programs and other volunteer opportunities available. I was also given a welcome bag with a pen. I was very impressed. However, I was still reluctant to attend church due to Covid precautions.
A few months later I decided to come to a service and asked my significant other if he would like to come with me. Graham had grown up in the church in England but had become a Scientologist. He agreed, and after the service we visited with Lyn Whitworth and Peter outside. Fr. Andrew Gerns came over, and we had a wonderful visit. We came sporadically over the next several months.
After Graham was diagnosed with cancer and began treatment, we did not attend in person, but I would occasionally watch the broadcast. Marlene saw me in Target one afternoon and spoke with me. I was very impressed that she stopped and asked how I was doing.
As time went on Graham began asking me about my faith and why I believed. I shared with him about the healing hand of God when I was 10. I rarely shared this experience with anyone, even very close friends.
As time went on, it became clear that Graham’s cancer was not responding to treatment and he was getting weaker. He was no longer able to get out of bed. Graham also began asking me more questions about my faith. I did the best I could and asked him if he would like to speak with Fr. Andrew. He agreed and Fr. Andrew visited him in the care center. Graham agreed to have regular visits from Deacon Kevin after that visit.
By this time Graham had stopped taking calls from his Scientology friends and told me to throw out all the Scientology related mail. This was a huge step and I could Graham was more at peace even though he still had questions and was in great pain
During this time, I began attending church more frequently. I was the last person to arrive for the Pancake Supper in 2024. Marlene came over and sat with me and Pastor Anne later joined us. I really needed their support as Graham was not being cared for appropriately at the Care Center, and I was trying to figure out how to bring him home for the remainder of his life. Their guidance and one of the hospice nurses who visited us at the Care Center empowered me to find a home care provider. Graham came home a few weeks later. The 24/7 care givers meant that Graham and I could focus on each other, sharing all our meals, watching services live or online, reading from the Book of Common Prayer and Bible and praying.
By the time of Graham’s death, he was confessing his faith and taking communion. This could not have happened without the support of Fr. Andrew, Deacon Kevin, the Hospice Chaplains, as well as the members of St. John’s who supported me. Fr. Andrew provided the service to scatter some of Graham’s ashes in the Gulf and the remainder in the Memorial Garden.
When Marlene announced that there would be opening on the Vestry in January 2025 I felt called to volunteer. It was the best decision I could have made. I have now found my church home and family.
Another plus is that my best friends outside of church are members of St. Paul’s. I feel double blessed to have found St. John’s and hope that the welcoming fellowship feeling will continue as we move forward with the Replanting of Pinellas Project. I am sure with prayer and God’s guidance we will remain the welcoming, supportive, and loving parish no matter what name is chosen.
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