Meet Holy Comforter, Charlotte

Love Grows Here.

That is the unofficial theme that lies behind much of what we do at Holy Comforter, and the spirit of those words was never more evident as our parish worked through and continues to emerge from the changes brought about by COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic, La Escuelita Weekday School at Holy Comforter, a half-day, play-based preschool for children ages 1-5, continued to operate safely without a single case of COVID-19. With classes taught one day in Spanish and one day in English by native speakers, students become equipped to thrive in a diverse community and learn to appreciate other cultures as they have fun and make new friends. School and church leadership realized that continuing to offer these classes at a time when they were most needed by parents was truly essential. Every Sunday at 12:30 p.m., we offer a warm and welcoming La Misa en Espanol for our Spanish-speaking community.

At a time when basics were so desperately needed by so many, our outreach teams stepped up to assist. Our Loaves & Fishes / Friendship Trays food pantry continued to embrace innovation – shifting from a brick and mortar pantry to a drive-through food distribution service that provides a week’s worth of pre-packed nutritional groceries for folks in need.

Housing is another basic need that is too often overlooked. The Holy Comforter Community, along with other organizations and communities of faith, was asked to support a groundbreaking venture by Roof Above, formerly Urban Ministry Center and Men's Shelter of Charlotte. The organization purchased a hotel that will be converted into 88 studio apartments for chronically unhoused people. The renovated structure offers affordable housing paired with on-site case management and medical care for people who have experienced chronic homelessness. Located at the intersection of Clanton Road and Interstate 77, the renovations to transform the hotel into permanent supportive housing will begin this summer, at an estimated project cost of $12 million. Holy Comforter was asked to contribute funds to support the conversion of two studio apartments. Between pledges and gifts already received we anticipate being able to gift three apartments.

From a thriving outreach program to active Hispanic and children’s ministries and more, #LoveGrowsHere at Holy Comforter – come and see for yourself! We are thrilled to host a bilingual Holy Eucharist with Confirmation at 11:00 a.m. on June 20 when Bishop Sam Rodman comes to visit. You are warmly invited to join us for worship and to stay afterward for a taste of our wonderfully chaotic coffee hour. (Or stop by on “regular” Sundays at 10:00 a.m. Visit HolyComforterCharlotte.org for current worship schedules, news and more.)