Caring for Others Ministries
Caring For Others Eucharistic Visitors (formerly “Lay Eucharistic Ministers”)
Since the earliest days of the church, the laity has taken the”“blessed bread” to those sick and infirm and unable to attend church services. Eucharistic Visitors take the Holy Sacraments of bread and wine consecrated at the Eucharist directly from Christ Church to those parishioners who are no longer able or presently unable to attend services. Discernment with clergy is necessary and training is provided. Each Eucharistic Visitor must be recommended by the Rector and Vestry and licensed by the Bishop of the Diocese. Those with a willing and loving heart, who would humbly carry the Holy sacraments to a parish member may feel called to this ministry. Contact the Clergy at the church (432-5115).
Caring For Others Prayer Shawl Knitting Ministry
3rd Thursday of the Month in the Parlor, 10 am – 12 pm
“This is a prayer shawl – a mantle of faith, hope, and love… The stitches have been knit in groups of three representing the Holy Trinity of God… With each stitch, we held you and your loved ones in our prayers…May you be cradled in God’s hope, enfolded in God’s peace, and wrapped in His gracious Love.” -Words taken from the card that accompanies
each Prayer Shawl
The Christ Church Prayer Shawl Knitting Ministry encourages knitters and prayers of the parish to knit and pray on our own as well as when we gather together monthly. Our gatherings include time for prayer, knitting, storytelling, and conversation. We knit in a pattern that represents the Holy Trinity – knit 3 / purl 3, a simple pattern to learn and with which to pray. Each prayer shawl, prayer blanket, and prayer baby blanket is blessed by the knitter’s own love and prayers and carries the abiding blessing of our loving God. Contact Co-Chairs Sandy Hughes or Paula Palmer
Caring For Others Prayer Card Ministry
This ministry reaches out to parishioners in pastoral need through handwritten notes connecting them to their parish family and assuring them of our ongoing prayers for their physical, emotional, and spiritual well being. Cards are handwritten, personalized, and signed “from your Christ Church family” and the prayer card minister. Participation in the Caring Ministry Pastoral Care Formation Program is encouraged. This is a rewarding ministry that can fit into one’s own personal schedule each week.
Contact Lynda Creed, Chair
Caring For Others Intercessory Prayer Ministry
We minister through intercessory prayer by opening ourselves to be God’s instruments of healing in the world. We come together in the Intercessory Prayer Group weekly and on our own to pray the confidential Parish Prayer List, which includes the entire list from the Sunday Prayers of the People List plus all confidential prayer requests, prayers for those preparing for marriage, those who are pregnant, those who have died, those in bereavement, those in need of protection, those in prison, those in transition, as well as prayers for our community, the nation, and the world, and our Parish, Diocesan, and Anglican cycles of prayer. Intercessors also pray the list at home on their own as they are able. One should have a regular, disciplined practice of prayer. Due to the particularly sensitive nature of this confidential list, anyone sensing a call to the Christ Church Intercessory Prayer Ministry will meet with the clergy to discern such a call. Our weekly gatherings are unusual at Christ Church in that they are not open for anyone to drop in. We meet on Wednesdays at 1:15 pm in the Chapel of the Beloved Son. Contact Carol Lewis, Chair
Caring For Others Bereavement Hospitality Ministry
A ministry providing compassionate guidance in assisting families to organize a reception in the Parlor or Parish Hall following a funeral or memorial service of a member of Christ Church Parish.
Contact Bonnie Benz
Caring For Others Food Ministry
The Food Ministry provides meals for Christ Church parishioners in pastoral need. This includes the birth/adoption of a baby, surgery/hospitalization, transition/crisis, and at the time of a death. We are currently trying to grow this ministry and would like to create 4 “pods” with 5 team members each that would be “on call” for 3 months out of the year. The chair coordinates meals for parishioners in need; while others prepare and/or deliver meals. If cooking is not your gift, we can always use volunteers to deliver. We normally prepare meals in advance and keep them in the “Food Assistance Freezer” in the church kitchen. We also plan to gather a couple of times a year for “cooking days” to restock the freezer. Contact Emily Head, Chair
Caring For Others Tender Loving Care (TLC) Ministry
In Adventide and Eastertide, the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) minister to parishioners who are nursing-home-bound, homebound, and in other pastoral need through baked goods or a small gift. Any parish member is invited to participate in this twice-yearly pastoral care ministry. There are various jobs to be done. Volunteer sheets are available at the ECW luncheons in the Fall and Spring and dates for this ministry are announced in the Chronicle. ECW Chapters take turns organizing and scheduling the volunteers and coordinating with the Associate Rector for Pastoral Care. Volunteers are asked to sign-up for baking and/or a delivery and to come to the church on a designated day to bring baked goods and/or pick up for delivery. This is an excellent way for newcomers to our parish to become involved with the ECW and to make new friends in the parish. Contact Ivy Modjeski, ECW President, for the name of the current TLC Chair.
Caring For Others New Baby Ministry
The New Baby Ministry provides contact and visitation with parishioners having or adopting babies in order to offer support, love, care and information from the church family. The Caring Minister offers church support and resources, particularly information regarding baptism, and inquires as to other immediate needs of the family. Our visits provide meaningful fellowship and often lead to a stronger, or renewed, commitment of the family to the church. Contact Laura Boyles, Chair
Caring For Others ~ Pastoral Care Flower Ministry
A ministry to provide pastoral care by arranging and/or delivering flowers from the altar to parishioners in pastoral need. Each week, we have at least four bouquets for delivery as well as smaller arrangements available for clergy to take when visiting area nursing facilities. Each month we arrange centerpieces for ECW luncheons, which are also delivered to parishioners in pastoral need.
Flower Ministry coordinators break down the altar flowers and arrange them in easy to transport bouquets, work with clergy to determine recipients of the bouquets. Pastoral care flowers are delivered each Tuesday or Wednesday by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. Flower arrangers usually arrange flowers on Monday, about once each four to five weeks. Contact Jane Dysart