By Sara Martin
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Jewish, Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist . . . they came from a variety of denominations and religious affiliations. And recently, Eagle’s Trace residents had the opportunity to welcome their local religious leaders on campus for a clergy appreciation luncheon.

“Our number-one priority is to keep residents connected to their home church,” says Eagle’s Trace Pastoral Ministries Manager Mary Kate Kell. “We know the clergy at area churches are highly regarded by the members of their congregation who live at Eagle’s Trace. We wanted to find a way to honor them.”

Outreach inside and outside Eagle’s Trace
More than 25 religious leaders attended the luncheon, some of whom were visiting the campus for the first time. Reverend San Jun, associate pastor of Pines Presbyterian Church, came at the invitation of Addison McElroy, an Eagle’s Trace resident who has been a member of the church for 42 years. It was Jun’s first visit to the campus, and he was impressed by the comfortable atmosphere.

“It feels like a community,” says Jun. McElroy agrees. He moved to Eagle’s Trace in fall 2007 and “hasn’t had a second thought,” he says. “Faith is the most important part of my life. I want to remain active in my church. Since I’ve moved here I have been able to continue my ministry to high school students.”

Faith in action
Another resident, Bessie Rigas, says that one reason she moved to Eagle’s Trace is its proximity to her church, St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church. “I’m [at church] more than I am in my apartment,” says Rigas, who is pleased to have the opportunity to welcome Father Anastasios Raptis to campus.

Raptis is effusive in his praise of both Rigas and Eagle’s Trace. “Bessie is one of the original parishioners of St. Basil,” says Raptis. “She has been involved with almost every program we offer. I see her at church all the time, but I enjoy visiting her here too. This [Eagle’s Trace] is like a vacation resort.”