The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Angels among us
Couple start a ministry at First United Methodist Church.
Ellen and Alan Huth are in sync. And it’s no surprise after nearly 50 years of marriage. On a dreary Thursday afternoon, the couple were seated in the reception area of First United Methodist Church in Brunswick. Both were clad in matching shirts emblazoned with the outline of an angel. The Rev. Wright Culpepper, pastor of the church and executive director of the local umbrella charity FaithWorks, joined them.
Ellen moved her hands through the materials in front of her, holding up a small crocheted white angel.
“I’ve always liked angels,” Ellen said. For her, as they do for so many, depictions of the celestial beings offer a sense of comfort and peace, especially during troubling times in life. But even before the coronavirus pandemic took hold of the world, the Huths were looking to use angels in a ministry that would provide comfort to others.
“About 10 years ago, we were living in the Lawrenceville area of Atlanta and somehow I came across one of these crocheted angels,” she said. “I just started giving them away to anybody who was having a difficult time or anybody that I felt needed an angel.”
The couple moved to Brunswick four years ago. They found many local residents were also in need of these comforting keepsakes.
“Then, COVID came along and at the time we did not have it as part of the church, so we took it upon ourselves to give bulk angels out to hospital staff and patients,” Ellen recalled. “For the most part, it was our own personal angel ministry.”
The Huths wanted to grow the angel mission but found themselves lacking manpower and financing. The two looked into starting an official nonprofit but those come with tons of red tape. That’s when Alan suggested speaking to Culpepper about making the program an official part of the church.
“In June, Wright announced it to the church congregation that we were having an angel ministry. That we would be accepting donations from anyone in the congregation,” Ellen said. “So we were able to start with that funding. And I have a precious aunt in Virginia who has graciously donated quite a bit for the angel ministry. I gave her one of my mom’s angels after my mom passed. She says that it’s right beside her bed.”
Since becoming an official ministry at First United Methodist Church, the packages have been sent to the hospital staff, Magnolia Manor, Sparrow’s Nest, the health system’s Ribbon of Hope program, as well as to private individuals. They’ve sent out more than 240 angel packets.
“In the future, we’re going to have a committee that selects where they go. We’re just doing organizations now as we grow. But later we’re going to do individuals too,” Alan said.