Pastoral Care

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Knitting Ministry - Prayer Shawls

Is Pastoral Care for Me?

Choices
One of the many ways we demonstrate our love for each other at Church of the Holy Communion is through our Pastoral Care Ministry. There are many options available for you if you choose to take part in Pastoral Care. They include preparing and/or delivering food, providing transportation to Sunday or weekday services, phone calls, notes and cards, and visits to the homebound or those in the hospital. You might decide to become a Eucharistic Visitor and deliver communion to those who cannot attend our services. One of our most active opportunities is the Knitting Ministry comprised of a group of people who knit prayer shawls for those struggling with or celebrating a life experience. If you have a special gift or talent that you'd like to offer, it's quite possible that you can apply it through this ministry. Most of the tasks have flexible time constraints, so you can make it fit your schedule.

Responsibilities
Initial responsibilities will include attending orientation and three training sessions. These sessions will help you become more comfortable with your duties, and understand how Pastoral Care works. If it is impossible for you to attend training, just let us know, and we may be able to find a place for you.Once you've been assigned to a team, it will be your responsibility to be available for service on a rotating schedule every five or six weeks. You will be given a calendar indicating which team is on duty. It is helpful for you to notify your team leader if you will be unavailable during your duty week and offer to do something in advance for your team. The team leaders meet often with their team during Church Family Together dinner at 5:45 on Wednesdays in Room 311. If you cannot meet with your team, your assignment will be made by telephone or e-mail.

There is an optional general meeting of all Pastoral Caregivers once per quarter. These are informative, interesting and often lots of fun.

An important part of the ministry is reporting to your leader after you complete the assigned task. This can be done by e-mail or phone, but should be done as soon as the task is completed. You will learn how to report your visit during training.

In addition, you will be the "eyes and ears" for the clergy and the Pastoral Care coordinators. If you learn of a need, you will report it to the Pastoral Care Coordinator, Elaine Turner.

Please prayerfully consider joining us in this important ministry. It is an effective way to assure that all members of our parish family are part of the whole. Pastoral Care team members say that they receive far more than they give when caring for others.

Pastoral Care Coordinators
Elaine Turner volunteers as Pastoral Care Coordinator. Her duties include weekly meetings with clergy and team leaders to plan visits for the coming week.

Help Us Help You!
Do not hesitate to call a priest or a member of the Pastoral Care Team when you, a family member, a close friend, or a member of this church is sick or in the hospital, has a pastoral need or would like to receive communion. Contact Elaine Turner.

Please, Tell Us How
How can we care for you? And how can you help us care for others? Do you need prayers, meals or other tangible signs of our love and affection? Do you have something to celebrate --- a birth, anniversary, new job that you want to announce and give thanks for? Do you need visit from one of the clergy or from a pastoral care team member? Do you need someone to bring you communion? Questions? Concerns? Do you need some TLC from us? Please, tell us how!

— Elaine Turner

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you or someone you know needs care. After hours pastoral emergency number: 901 - 288 - 8705.

Prayer and Care Articles

The Knitting Ministry

CHC’s Knitt ing Ministry started in 2004 and quickly grew into a thriving parish program. CHC’s knitt ers meet on the Third Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. in the Carrick Room to prayerfully knit shawls for those in need of prayer and comfort in the parish and beyond. They are also delivered
to individuals and families celebrating extraordinary events in their lives, like births and baptisms. The group is open to all, from knitt ing neophytes to purling pros.

Contact: Bettie Clemmons, 363-7082