Two years ago, my friend Emily Pieralisi felt called by God to serve her community in some way.
She considered starting a community garden at the YMCA; she began offering swim lessons there, too, for those with disabilities, but the tug on her heart was still there.
She felt pulled to serve foster children and someone suggested she call our Child Protective Services office.
Could our church serve them in some way, she asked, and in that mysterious way God works, they were in need. The place where they usually hosted a Christmas dinner for foster families was unavailable, so a group of volunteers from our church and others in the community began to prepare to host a Christmas party for all children in foster care in Washington County and their families.
Marsha Baird and Erica Dick shopped for stocking stuffers, and volunteers of all ages filled them with candy and items donated from this wonderful community. Marsha Baird made her delicious hot chocolate. George Baird made dozens of pans of green beans. Nan Hines made table decorations.
It was mass chaos, but for us volunteers it was everything Christmas is supposed to be. It was the work the Lord has called us to do: love your neighbor, serve your neighbor.
Santa Claus visited and the children made snowmen and ornaments from pipe cleaners before sitting down to a complete holiday dinner.
It was mass chaos, but for us volunteers it was everything Christmas is supposed to be. It was the work the Lord has called us to do: love your neighbor, serve your neighbor.
St. James’ Episcopal Church, through what is now called Annis’ Children, is preparing to host its third holiday party for the foster families in Washington County with the help of so many other individuals and groups from this amazing city.
Erica Dick and Marsha Baird are again shopping online to ensure all the children have the gifts they requested. Jazz Persuasion, with St. James’ members Betsy Bostic and Hal Holbrook, will provide the Christmas carols.
The ladies’ auxiliary from the Italian Club is making dinner this year. They’re cooking spaghetti and meatballs for hundreds, and, incredibly, they asked what else they could do. Can I say that again? I mean. They asked if they could do more, so they’re providing the stockings this year. It is the work of people like them that makes this beautiful ministry possible. Last year, for example, Santa left the party in a fire truck driven by firemen from the Greenville Fire Department, who also helped with the event.
Annis’ Children became an official ministry of our church following the first Christmas party. It’s named for the late Annis Walcott, who left a gift to the church that now helps fund the ministry.
With the help of donations from across Greenville, Annis’ Children has expanded its outreach to do more than the party. It offers emergency care bags for children entering foster care. We know it can be a scary time so we offer these Comfort Bags, as we call them, full of necessities for any child from birth to 18. Items include blankets handmade by ladies and children of our church, books, bottles, notebooks, toiletries and a prayer card.
The board members of AC provide social workers with a monthly treat, and those workers can call Erica anytime with requests for clothes, school uniforms or car seats — any reasonable necessity — and AC will provide.
The work of AC also takes place on Saturday mornings, when foster parents attend support group meetings. Volunteers provide childcare for parents during the meetings. The children play on the playground, eat a snack, and make a craft. Sounds simple enough, but this is where the magic of Annis’ Children happens.
As we stood on the playground Saturday under a bright, cloudless sky, I was pushing children on the swings when a toddler wandered up to me and held up her arms. I picked her up and put her in the infant swing.
She sat there, head down. I stepped back and gave her a gentle push. She picked up her head and looked at me with a smile as brilliant as the day itself.
Later, a boy was restless to return to his foster parents, so I suggested we play tic-tac-toe. He declined and asked again if it was time to go back to the parish hall.
“Here,” I said. “I’m going to kick your butt at tic-tac-toe.”
“My mom’s too competitive,” Lollie whispered to him.
He smoked me, beat me 10 out of 12 rounds, and by the end, he was so proud he didn’t care a bit about my feelings. He smack-talked and pumped his fists at every round he won. But after the morning with these children, I was the one who came home the winner. Annis’ Children is preparing for its Christmas Party, to be held Dec. 6. Volunteers are welcome at a party to wrap gifts for foster children at 1:30 and 6 p.m. on Nov. 28.
The ladies’ auxiliary from the Italian Club is making dinner this year. They’re cooking spaghetti and meatballs for hundreds, and, incredibly, they asked what else they could do. Can I say that again? I mean. They asked if they could do more, so they’re providing the stockings this year. It is the work of people like them that makes this beautiful ministry possible. Last year, for example, Santa left the party in a fire truck driven by firemen from the Greenville Fire Department, who also helped with the event.
Annis’ Children became an official ministry of our church following the first Christmas party. It’s named for the late Annis Walcott, who left a gift to the church that now helps fund the ministry.
With the help of donations from across Greenville, Annis’ Children has expanded its outreach to do more than the party. It offers emergency care bags for children entering foster care. We know it can be a scary time so we offer these Comfort Bags, as we call them, full of necessities for any child from birth to 18. Items include blankets handmade by ladies and children of our church, books, bottles, notebooks, toiletries and a prayer card.
The board members of AC provide social workers with a monthly treat, and those workers can call Erica anytime with requests for clothes, school uniforms or car seats — any reasonable necessity — and AC will provide.
The work of AC also takes place on Saturday mornings, when foster parents attend support group meetings. Volunteers provide childcare for parents during the meetings. The children play on the playground, eat a snack, and make a craft. Sounds simple enough, but this is where the magic of Annis’ Children happens.
These children know us now. They trust us. Timid and shy at that first meeting, they clung to our legs or necks, but now, they’ve blossomed. They run for the swings unguarded. They’ve reached the stage of comfort where they shout demands, and one precious girl showed off her roundoff, her back bend and her hand stand all morning long this Saturday.
As we stood on the playground Saturday under a bright, cloudless sky, I was pushing children on the swings when a toddler wandered up to me and held up her arms. I picked her up and put her in the infant swing.
She sat there, head down. I stepped back and gave her a gentle push. She picked up her head and looked at me with a smile as brilliant as the day itself.
Later, a boy was restless to return to his foster parents, so I suggested we play tic-tac-toe. He declined and asked again if it was time to go back to the parish hall.
I pushed a piece of construction paper across the kitchen island.
“Here,” I said. “I’m going to kick your butt at tic-tac-toe.”
“My mom’s too competitive,” Lollie whispered to him.
He smoked me, beat me 10 out of 12 rounds, and by the end, he was so proud he didn’t care a bit about my feelings. He smack-talked and pumped his fists at every round he won. But after the morning with these children, I was the one who came home the winner. Annis’ Children is preparing for its Christmas Party, to be held Dec. 6. Volunteers are welcome at a party to wrap gifts for foster children at 1:30 and 6 p.m. on Nov. 28.
Donations are tax deductible and may be made to St. James’ Episcopal Church, 1026 S. Washington Ave., Greenville, MS 38701. Specify Annis’ Children in the memo.
laura hough smith 
Great article!
Sent from my iPhone