PHOTO OF BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS, COURTESY OF ST. PAUL’S[/caption]

No matter who you are, where you are from, or where you might be on your life’s journey, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Central City, you’ll find good fellowship company.

Reverend Lorrie Slaymaker and Reverend Lada Hardwicke are part of a “small family of faith who believe that Christian love has the power to change negative into positive, evil into good, and hatred into love.”

Reverend Lorrie Slaymaker attended Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, and has several degrees, one of which is in Natural Resources and Conservation from the University of Connecticut.

Reverend Lada Hardwicke went to Seminary at the University of the South and has a degree in social work. Both reverends have been serving St. Paul’s for many years.

The 150-year-old church is a small congregation with a seating capacity of 40 and boasts beautiful stained glass windows set against a hillside. St. Paul’s is inclusive and supportive of everyone’s life journeys.

St. Paul’s is home to a summer music program and has provided conservation opportunities through workshops.

The church’s mission to provide mental and spiritual services to the community includes hosting two AA meetings every week. Aside from its grief share group, the church is expanding its mental health services which are provided on a sliding scale and led by pastors with a social work or psychology degree.

Worship takes place on the first Sunday of the month at 10:30 a.m., followed by a gospel brunch at 11 a.m., with music, beer, wine, and homemade food. Eucharistic services are held on the second and fourth Sundays at 8:45 a.m., with a sung mass.

Sunday School is part of the regular mass. When able to, children are involved by singing, playing an instrument, serving communion with the priest, or participating in readings. On the third Sunday at 8:45 a.m., a guitar mass can be attended, with a bible study of the readings, and breakfast around the table.

Easter Breakfast will occur at 10 a.m. on Easter Sunday, complete with an Easter egg hunt for the children. The pastors love to praise the Lord on all Sundays, especially Christmas, Easter, and Blessing of The Animals, held in October.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located at 226 E. High Street, Central City. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/saintpaulsepiscopal churchcentralcitycolorado or you can give them a call at 720-441-3447.