More Than Just Flowers: Creativity
By: Carole Hom

You’ve probably noticed that the style of our altar flowers varies from week to week depending on the arranger. Some flower guild members create classical arrangements while others tend toward informality. Some design floral displays and order specific flowers in advance to fit their vision. Others make spontaneous choices based on what they find in grocery store floral departments, at the Farmer’s Market, or blooming in parishioners’ gardens, along roadsides, or on the church grounds. Regardless, we all get to play with flowers and explore our creative side.

Rev. Pamela fosters this creativity by giving arrangers only a few guidelines: follow the liturgical seasons (greens during Lent, red on Palm Sunday and Pentecost, a profusion of flowers on Christmas, Easter, and possibly other major feast days) and use sustainably grown flowers whenever possible.

Only one person currently in the Flower Guild has had substantial formal training in flower arranging. The rest of the members have taken a workshop or two and rely on eyeballing what works, what doesn’t, and what generates an “Ooooohhh….” One person remarked, “Arranging flowers for the church is a new experience for me,” adding that you can use unique approaches to church flowers. 

The Flower Guild would love to have new members. Scheduling is flexible, St. Martin’s has a collection of vases in the sacristy and an account at area florists, and will reimburse purchases made elsewhere. And of course, current flower guild members will be happy to provide guidance and cheerleading. For more information, please see flower guild chair Carole Hom after church, or contact the church office.

Come play with us!