Stewardship Minutes

Amy Crawley

I can remember being 9 years old, having just moved here from
Massachusetts, and my family was "shopping" for churches. We attended
several different churches in the area until we found one that felt like
home. This of course ended up being St. Nick's.

My name is Amy Crawley and ever since I was a young girl my parents and so
many of you in this community have encouraged me to be a steward. The
ministries I am involved in are the Folk Group, Liturgical Dance, and
Wedding Preparation.

The ministry I have been a member of for the longest time is the Folk
Group. I play the flute and sing. You all may not realize that the group is
and does so much more than add music to our liturgies. It is a group that
gives comfort to those who feel pain, strength to those who feel weak , and
love to those who feel lost. Our group is awesome because the members are
so spirit filled and it adds so much to my life. My journey with the Folk
Group has truly transformed from a 14 year old peer mentor to an adult
mentor who helps to plan our awesome retreats in Duck N.C. My spirituality
has grown and continues to do so by beening a part of the Folk Group.

Almost as long as I have been a member of the Folk Group, I have also
helped our congregation praise the Lord through dance. As scripture says,
"Praise him with your singing Praising him with your dancing Praise him with
the lute and harp." So I followed the calling to help bring praise through
movement to our liturgy. I help choreograph and dance usually during
Christmas and Eater times. I can't describe to you the feeling I get when
dancing especially with God's words resonating through the sanctuary and
filled in my being. Just the other afternoon I was driving home and I was
at a stop light. Randomly, the thought came to mind: I LOVE to dance. And
if God is Love then what better way to share God with all of you than
through dance.

Most recently, I am involved in a wedding preparation ministry. Three
years ago when my husband and I were married our video and then some
dialogue between the two us and our family was used in a video to help
prepare other engaged couples who plan to celebrate their marriage here at
St. Nick's. The video is also used to help our youth groups learn about the
Catholic Wedding Rituals as of Vatican II.

Stewardship is a part of my core. It is a strong thread that has been woven.
Now that I am 29, reflecting on how meaningful and joyful I find serving the
Lord through Music, Dance, and by being a model of God's Love I know that
being a part of the St Nick community doesn't't just feel like a home - it
is my home and yours, too.