Carol McMillin always enjoyed the flowers on the altar at Holy Trinity Church and thought that “someday” she would get involved with that endeavor. That day came after she retired and found she had more time to dedicate toward providing flowers for the glory of God in the church.
Along with six teams of two to three people each, McMillin said she relishes her role in providing flowers for church services. The group is referred to as the Flower Guild.
McMillin explained that a Flower Guild “is a group of lay people who are members of the church. We buy and arrange the flowers every Sunday for worship services and for any other celebrations, such as a wedding or a funeral. We do it as an act of service and love to our congregation and to God.”
Although the date the Flower Guild began hasn’t been pinpointed, credit is given to church member Julia Erhardt, who has since passed away, for starting the group.
The Guild maintains a fund, supported by donations, to pay for the flowers.
“Every Sunday the flowers are done ‘in loving memory,’ to someone or in thanksgiving for something, like the birth of a child or a wedding,” McMillin said.
She explained that the person wishing to dedicate the arrangements will usually make a donation to cover the costs of the flowers.
In contrast, for solemn holiday observances such as Lent and Advent, only greenery is used. After the observation of the sacred time has passed, the Guild brings out the blooms. For Christmas, McMillin said red poinsettias are placed around the church.
“We blow it up for holidays, for Christmas and for Easter, and we decorate the whole church,” she said. “We have greenery, every window and door decorated. It’s just full of glorious color and flowers.”
When asked if any classes in floral arrangement are required, McMillin said most people do not have formal training, but just enjoy working with the arrangements.
“We’re people who love flowers,” she said.
The church keeps books that can be used as a reference for patterns, when needed.
“We teach each other,” she said. “We learn from each other. It’s a service to our church and to God.”
McMillin added, “We have a couple of rules we go by. We use no artificial; it’s all fresh flowers. We never make the arrangement on the altar any higher than the cross that’s in the middle; it’s still the most prominent part of the altar. Some things we have learned along the way, because of our stained glass windows, blue and purple flowers just kind of disappear. So, we don’t use some flowers.”
Holy Trinity is renowned for its stained glass windows, with special attention being given to the six that were designed by renowned artist Louis Comfort Tiffany, of Tiffany Studios in New York. Tiffany’s is now more commonly known for upscale jewelry.
The Flower Guild extends to more than just the altar, member Ruth Wilkerson said.
“We do all weddings, funerals and special events,” Wilkerson said.
The Guild doesn’t usually get many requests for specific colors or flowers, but when they provide décor for weddings, they will work with the wedding party to make sure the flowers blend with the chosen color scheme. For most Sundays, the Guild selects colors and arrangements they like.
Nancy Gates, a longtime member of the Flower Guild, said “I have learned a great deal about how to arrange flowers and how to take care of cut flowers. I really enjoy decorating the church for Christmas and Easter.”
“After Sunday, we take the arrangements apart and put them into little baskets,” McMillan said. “If the person who donated doesn’t want them, we take them to members who might be in the hospital, the nursing home, or just having a hard time and need a little floral therapy.”
McMillin said, “It’s a joy for all of us to work with God’s beautiful creations.”
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