Pastoral Care
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Jesus’ new commandment is that we should love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34). Pastoral care for one another is a keystone of our church community – a community of love in a broken world.
To experience pastoral care, whether giving or receiving it, is to come into a deeper awareness of the presence of God, who abides with us in the midst of whatever circumstances we face.
The Community of Hope ministries touch over 600 people in the course of a year. If you would like to learn more and become involved in one of the Community of Hope teams, please contact the Church Office or the Rev. Elizabeth Garnsey.
91: Ruth and Naomi
Visitation Team
Trained pastoral visitors who visit a dozen or so elderly and homebound parishioners on a regular basis for companionship, prayer, and general social and spiritual support.
Call Team
Lay prayer team who prays for and follows our weekly prayer list, making regular calls to the more than 90 people who are being prayed for at any given time, including those in our Sunday Prayers of the People.
Pastoral Pup Team
Parishioners who are specially trained to take our pastoral pup, Frances, on her weekly visits to Waveny Care Center, Silver Hill Hospital, the Inn, and to the homes of individual parishioners in need.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Trained team of lay ministers who bring Holy Communion to people who are unable to join us in person for worship. Every year, the team visits 70 or more people.
Grief Support
Small group sessions periodically offered to support the grieving process.
Meals with Love
A team of (currently) 14 chefs who prepare healthy meals for over 80 families per year at times when not having to cook is a blessing for them.
Flower Deliveries
Every week, the Sunday altar arrangements are made into pastoral bouquets by members of the Flower Guild and they are delivered by this team to individuals in particular states of joy, sorrow, need or sickness.
Chaplains
A specially trained pastoral team who assist the clergy in visiting people whose needs are long-term and especially difficult.
