Several years ago at the Women’s Retreat, women wrote words of affirmation to one another during the weekend.  On the last day of the Retreat, everyone read their affirmations.  This activity was powerful and poignant.

After the Retreat, one of the participants, Fran Foley, saw a place in the life of the congregation where this ministry could be vital.  In February of 2008, we introduced the PETaL Ministry at Central.

PETal stands for:

P    Praise

E    Encouragement

T    Thanks

and

L    Love

PETaLs are notecards that are available in the Narthex of the church.  Pastor Reta designed the PETaLs.

Persons write PETaLs to persons on the prayer list or others who need care in the congregation.  The PETals are placed in a basket on the Visitors’ Table in the Narthex.  On Monday mornings, the church office staff mails the PETaLs.

Each week persons receive PETaLs and know they were thought of in the loving community called Central United Methodist Church.