MEET THE DEACON Vause's home town is Point Pleasant, W. Va. Following a move to Huntington, she earned a degree in Speech at Marshall College in 1954 and a graduate degree in Speech Pathology at Ohio University in 1955. She met Jack at Marshall and after survivng a year as editors of the college yearbook, they decided that they probably could survive marriage. They were married in Huntington, W. VA. in 1955. After a period of clinical training at Episcopal hospital in Philadelphia, they moved to Flint where her career was placed on hold with the arrival of three children, a daughter and twin boys, in three years. Some years later Vause updated her skills and resumed her career. She persuaded Hurley Medical Center to start a speech pathology department and led that unit for two decades. In addition to coordinating the expanding department and working with patients, she was responsible for throat cancer patients. The pastoral part of her professional life also expanded with this responsibility when she started a local chapter of the Lost Chord Club, a support group for patients and family whom she served as an advisor and counselor. With retirement, there was some time for hobbies which now included working with and displaying rocks and gems as a result of what she had learned from one of her patients. But, Vause soon moved on to volunteering that included dog therapy visits to hospitals and out patient centers, the Humane Society and hospice home care visits for Hurley. Hospice work soon became the dominant focus of her efforts and led to Dave Kulchar asking her to consider the deaconate. With his encouragement and assistance, her new career began. Perhaps, more accurately, her old ministry was now cast in a new form, one which as deacon would include teaching, preaching and encouraging others to take on new ministries. In her period as a deacon, Vause has served as a chaplain in the oncology unit and emergency room at Hurley Medical Center along with providing monthly prayer services at two senior residences and her pastoral visits with Trinity members. This has been the life of a southern girl whose ancestry goes back to Bruton Parish in Williamsburg, but now is just as at home in north Flint bedrooms ministering to people afflicted with everything from age to AIDS. There are a thousand stories and memories from the past, a few of which you have heard in her homilies, but since the deacon is not done yet ,there is one question left: what is next for her?
The Deacons Work In Action
DEACON'S REPORT 2009
"As your son came not to be served but to serve,
may this deacon share in Christ's service..." Ordination of the Deacon, BCP,
p. 545. 2009 was a year of service but not only by the Deacon but by the
hearts and love of Trinity. Following are some of the ways your Deacon, with
your encouragement and helped served:
HURLEYMEDICALCENTER: As a volunteer chaplain I visited, prayed,
laughed and teared with patients, families and staff in primarily Oncology,
Emergency Department, Rehabilitation Department and Intensive Care. Bibles were
provided at no cost to patients when they wanted to have one. Their priests,
pastors or other spiritual leaders were contacted on request. When I was made
aware of a patient's need for help paying for a prescription, etc. the Deacon's
Discretionary Fund, funded by your donations, helped if possible.
AMERICAN HOUSE NORTH AND SOUTH:These are
residential assisted living facilities and I have provided a service of
Compline or Communion Under Special Circumstances once a month for each place.
South has a knitting/crochet group and after I take them yarn from Trinity,
they have made chemo caps for us!
THUMB CORRECTIONAL FACILITY:For several years,
Trinity has provided yarn and a crochet group-all men by the way-at the prison
has made handsome and warm chemo caps and afghans or Comfort Covers as we call
them. They've made close to 300 caps and 200 Comfort Covers for oncology
patients.
HOME AND HOSPITAL VISITS:When Trinity
members have been confined at home or in the hospital, communion has been taken
to them if they let us know they would like a visit.
WORSHIP SERVICES:Deacons may serve
at the Altar, read the Gospel, preach and otherwise serve as the Priest may
ask.
CHEMO CAP AND COMFORT COVER MINISTRY:This has been an
active and growing ministry for close to five years. Trinity members knit and
crochet, donate yarn and covers, and then help deliver. Some members of St.
Christopher's in Grand Blanc have made and sent caps to us to distribute. Caps
and patterns have been sent on request all over the country. And recently,
Trinity's Outreach Committee has taken some of our warm caps and covers to St.
Andrew's in Flint
to help warm the many homeless and cold visitors who appear at their doors.
None of the above would be possible by just a
Deacon. Trinity's Outreach Committee, on which I, as Deacon, serve, spreads so
much of Trinity's help and caring to those in need. Give thanks for each of those
Outreach members who have made this ministry a success. Remember that each of you as a part of Trinity has served the
world as a child of our God.
"Go in peace to love and serve the Lord."BCP,
p. 366
Vause
Carlsen, Deacon
The staff, leadership, and congregation of Trinity Episcopal Church of Flushing are here to "LOVE AND SERVE"! Please contact us if you are searching for a church family or you are in need of spiritual growth in your life. Feel free to visit Trinity on Sunday at 10:00 AM for our weekly worship. All who are baptized are welcome at the Communion table. Divorced? You are welcome to fully participate in our services. ALL ARE WELCOME!
