Margie Wolcott
November 3, 2024
I was born in Los Angeles & grew up a Methodist. At about 10, I went with my Mom and sister to see Pat, the Minister’s wife as she was a nurse. She offered to give my sister an Allergy shot. At that visit, I KNEW I wanted to be a Nurse, and that never changed.
I met Roger, in Tucson, AZ where I earned a BSN in Nursing. We dated for a few months before Roger asked me if I wanted to go to Church with him. Roger was an Episcopalian. I was interested in the traditions and focus on weekly Eucharist with WINE, not grape juice, and that Eucharist was part of every service. I quickly learned to love the Clergy processing to the Altar, fancy vestments, incense and then going up to the altar to receive The Bread and Cup instead of having communion passed down the aisle on the 1st Sunday of the month (as was the Methodist custom). I soon was signed up for confirmation classes. What I still remember to this day is our instruction about receiving the Cup; the Blood of Christ, the Cup of Salvation. When I knelt at the Altar rail and sipped from the Cup, I felt a burning sensation as the “Blood of Christ went down my throat…it was like being filled with the Holy Spirit. This was truly when I knew I was Christ’s own forever. Eucharist became what fed me at Church and still does.
Roger was in and out of my life for a few years after Collage. We reconnected in San Francisco where I began my 38 year career as a nurse on the Neuro floor at UCSF Parnassus. I loved it. I gave hands on care to patients for 10 years, then became the Manager for 28 yrs. I loved overseeing patient care through my staff. I participated in all staff interviews and looked for people who really cared. I still go back to this day to visit. Without fail, I am stopped by someone who still remembers me saying something like “Margie, is that you? You hired me, you gave me a chance. Thank you so much. This is me, being Christ’s hands and feet in the world, Caring for others, Walking in LOVE.
Roger & I joined St Aidan’s in 1972. Lin Knight had just arrived as Priest. We knew the first Sunday we attended that this was the church for us and still is for me: Welcoming, Inclusive & Creative.
Cursillo was very alive in the 70’s. We went in 1974 supported by St Aidan’s. It was a huge life changer for us. We became engaged after 8 yrs and we were introduced to the Franciscan Brothers and Sisters. Bro Robert told us they had daily Mass. Roger knew immediately that’s what he wanted to do for the rest of his life (a question asked of all who make Cursillo). I attended Mass as often as I could while I worked, and now attend Mass M to F.
Our Wedding was at St Aidan’s on Thanksgiving Day 1975. All were invited. Five Priests married us. WOW.. and Leonora Dowling coordinated the reception;11 turkeys and all trimmings. You can imagine.
Fast forward through 40 years of Ministry work, first at the Russian River where we were going to retire. We began a food pantry + hot meals in Monte Rio. Roger was sent to Boston to learn more about Common Cathedral; a ministry of Eucharist in the park; the Boston Common, followed by a meal for people living on the street. I still am involved with Common Cathedral. 2 ministries in SF still are active; 1 at Civic Center on Sundays & the other at 16th St BART Station Thursday Evenings. Both have Eucharist & a meal.
For 15 years we were involved in Street Ministry in Memphis TN. We helped the Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral begin a Eucharist and Feeding program for the homeless and poor people in our neighborhood. It grew to feed about 150 neighbors every Wed. Roger heard a call from God that he could do his Ministry here. We moved into a duplex on the street behind St Marys and started helping neighbors with Coffee & water, use of our bathroom, shower, laundry. This grew as we helped neighbors with medical appts, support in court, visits in jail and more. We officially started a non-profit ministry, Constance Abbey in our home, starting & ending with MP & EP. We offered coffee, showers, clothes closet & laundry. Our Mission was to listen to our neighbors and help those nobody else would. We did add a 2nd duplex and had 7 neighbors helping us.
We also joined a disperse religious Community founded in Memphis called Rivendell. recognized by the Episcopal Church and whose focus is prayer & hospitality. Rivendell was a huge support to Constance Abbey while we existed. I still participate in 3 zoom prayer services a week with Rivendell.
St Aidan’s remained our stable Church through all these ministries. We came back to SF 4-5 times a year for medical appts, family, friends, and the play in San Juan Batista.
Someone early on in this journey said to me “I always put money in the plate at Church, no matter where I am” This STUCK with me. Since that day, I too always put money in the plate at Church. Stewardship is giving of time, talent and a financial offering.
My life is filled with people of faith. I am surrounded with love and support. I love to walk and I walk in Love . Wherever I am, GOD is, and all is well.
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