Pastoral Care
Our love for God, and for one another, forms the basis for Pastoral Care Ministry to those in need. When we offer care to one another, we speak His words and extend His hand to offer hope and healing. We strive to be intentional about providing spiritual, emotional and physical support. The foundation of Pastoral Care is compassion. It is expressed by being with people in the ministry of presence. We visit because of compassion for the one who is sick or suffering, to alleviate the anxiety and fear that often accompanies sickness and we endeavor to replace those emotions with hope, courage, comfort, peace and the ability to cope.
Our church is committed to care. We recognize that needs are manifested in many ways, but in order to meet those needs, we understand them to be ordered in two basic forms: ongoing and urgent.
Ongoing care is delivered to those among us who have a regular need for a connection with God and His people. Sometimes, people are convalescing from a surgery and they need a visit. In that visit, our caregivers are able to provide cheerful conversation, prayer and Holy Communion, if desired. Sometimes there is a need for transportation to a doctor's appointment or a need for grocery shopping. We help whenever and wherever we can until recovery has progressed and this kind of help is no longer needed.
Urgent care is delivered to those who are recovering from surgery or are stricken with injury or illness. Hospital visitation for prayer and encouragement for the family are often the greatest needs and we seek to assist with them. Regular and around-the-clock prayer is sometimes required and we strive to make this kind of support available, as well. As the patient recovers and returns home, then he or she is supported until it is possible for him or her to care for oneself.
Personal spiritual counsel is available for needs that arise in life related to one's marriage, family life or personal spiritual journey. This kind of counsel is generally offered by one of our trained caregivers and then one of the caregivers may in turn make a referral to a clergy person on our staff.
