Mrs. Edward C. Lambert, Jr., at the April meeting of the Women’s Club of St. Jude’s Church became the first recipient of the ladies’ annual “Service Above Self” award.

This award is intended to pay tribute to the lady who has devoted herself to service activity through the Church.

Mrs. Lambert earned this recognition after nine years of unsung, behind-the-scenes chores as flower arranger for the church.

Her job began when the parish met weekly for services in the cafeteria of Sandy Springs High School.

She recalled that originally the altar was set facing a formidable battery of pots and pans in the kitchen, and that when she and Mr. Lambert moved it to the one blank wall they discovered it must be backed by an ice cream machine.

After the church took up temporary quarters in its own school building, decorating ran a little smoother.

Planning for Christmas, the Lamberts called a tree man to specify trees of varying heights which they would place behind the altar. But when they went to pick them up they were appalled at the bedraggled selection. The man had honored their request by carefully lopping off all the tops, leaving the trees the desired heights.

The Lamberts and their helpers spent several frustrated days rewiring tops to trees.

Holidays and special occasions, as well as each Sunday, St. Jude’s is tastefully and interestingly decorated.

This year Mrs. Lambert has retired, to enjoy some well-earned leisure and “just being a grandmother.” But she laid the groundwork, set the foundation, and her work is being carried on by ladies carefully trained by her.

Her award, in the form of an engraved silver bud vase, was presented during the brief ceremony by Mrs. William Harris, president of St. Jude’s Women’s Club.

The annual dinner meeting of the club will be held May 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the school cafetorium. All ladies of the parish have been invited to attend.

Installation of officers for the new season will take place at this time. Replacing Mrs. Harris as president will be Mrs. Jack Elrod; Mrs. John Revell takes over as vice-president from Mrs. Harry Cote; outgoing secretary Mrs. Carl Franzman yields to Mrs. Thomas Cronley, and Mrs. Frank Bearuchamp replaces Mrs. John Donovan as treasurer.