A Story of Longevity

SAINT CATHERINE’S GUILD 

A story of Longevity

Since the 1850’s Emmanuel Episcopal Church has been located in Grass Valley, California. There have been several different “guilds” over the years. The patron Saint of Emmanuel’s Women’s Guild is Saint Catherine of Siena, Italy (25 March 1347 – 29 April 1380).  Similar to Saint Catherine’s own outreach, the Emmanuel Women’s Guild gives to those in need throughout the community.

For more than a century, Emmanuel Church has invited everyone from across the community to its Shrove Tuesday Waffle Sale (proceeding the season of Lent) that is held at the Church Buck Hall. “Shrove” is the past tense of shrive, whose definition is to hear confessions, assign penance and absolve sin, leading up to Easter Sunday. The first “all-you-can-eat” waffle sale was held in 1916. Rector Dr. Bert Foster told the women of St. Catherine’s Guild about the pancake sales held in England on Shrove Tuesday. He proposed that the Guild organize something similar. Back then, the parish hall had no functioning kitchen. However, there was an old wood stove. One of the members said that she had a waffle iron, which could be used over the wood stove. Its two handles were attached to the waffle iron, allowing it to be turned over to cook both sides. In place of the traditional pancakes, eight ladies gathered together on Shrove Tuesday to enjoy a waffle dinner, followed by a game of cards. The community Waffle Sale was launched. Today’s menu includes ham and eggs in addition to the famous “All-you-can-eat” waffles.

Another major event that is sponsored and coordinated by the St. Catherine’s Guild is the annual Victorian Christmas Faire which has been held for over 120 years. The Faire is held in Buck Hall (next to Emmanuel Church) on the first full weekend in November, on Friday and Saturday during the day (10am to 4pm).  The Victorian Faire is open to families and the public and features many selling tables of new and used local merchandise. These include several homemade items for purchase, such as jams/jellies, quilts, hats/scarves, old and new jewelry, and lovely holiday decorations … this is a real shopping experience. In addition, there is wonderful edibles to purchase like breads, pies, cakes, fudge and cookies. The Faire also hosts a luncheon (Café) which includes soup, chili, salad, corn bread and pie (plus refreshments) all are available for purchase. Proceeds from the Faire support more than 10 community non-profit organizations.

Over the years both the Waffle Sale and the Victorian Faire have raised thousands of dollars for charitable organizations in Nevada County, this includes: Hospitality House, Interfaith Food Ministry, National Alliance for Mental Illness, Salvation Army/Booth Family House, Bright Futures for Youth, Habitat for Humanity, Helping Hands Nurturing Center, Foothills Compassionate Care, Community Beyond Violence, and Welcome Home Vets.
In addition to holding regular Guild meetings and luncheons for the ladies of the Church, the Guild also gives a high school graduation gift to those from the congregation who are graduating.

For those women of the Church who are not mobile, the Guild delivers a Christmas Poinsettias to their home/residence in early December as a thoughtful and cheerful gesture.

The ladies of St Catherine’s are also honored to provide Memorial Receptions for family and friends of those who have passed on. Volunteers from the guild organize, prepare, serve, and clean up for these receptions, which are requested throughout the year.

Back in 1914, the women’s Guild sponsored the “Peace” circular stained-glass window, often referred to as the “Rose” window which is located at the top of the Church entrance, paying for its creation and installation. Currently, the window is in need of some repairs, and this is something the Guild continues to provide input and interest on.

All ladies are welcome to be a part of St. Catherine’s and their long dedicated history and longevity of giving to others that unites the women of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in a program of worship, service, and philanthropy. Information about meetings, luncheons, and events is posted in the monthly Messenger (newsletter), the weekly email bulletin, and the Sunday service bulletin. Visit the Emmanuel Episcopal website at https://www.emmanuelgv.org/

There are lots of volunteer opportunities (including Coffee & Fellowship Hour several times a year) and a lot of warm, friendly fellowship within the St Catherine’s Guild!

​By Gloryanne Bryant

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