Congregational Care

I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in … I was sick and you looked after me. (Matthew 25:35-36)

Congregational Care Prepares Our Human Spirit

It is absolutely necessary that all disciples are spiritually nurtured as part of the church community. Spiritual well-being is a discipline that must be regularly practiced. This discipline is practical and positive. It strengthens our relationship with God, preparing us for all the trials that life may throw at us.

Caring Visits

Outreach efforts allow members of our church, who become unable to attend worship regularly due to declining health, to remain connected to the church family.

It is vital that we take time to be spiritually nurtured and help those struggling with the loss of their physical independence to infuse God’s strength and stability in their lives.

Whether people need weekly or monthly visits or just a phone call and maybe an annual visit, our Continuing Care team is there for them. We want our homebound members to stay connected with their church family and with God’s kingdom.

If you or a loved one are no longer able to make it to church or won’t be able to for an extended period of time and would like a friendly visitor, please contact a pastor or the church office.

Hospital Visits

Christ is with us in illness or wellness. Our hospital visitation team visits members of our church who are hospitalized, providing prayer for the patient,
a friend to chat with and sometimes a much needed break for the patient’s family. Hospital visitors also help keep our pastors and congregation informed on the status of our hospitalized friends and members.

If you or a loved one are admitted to the hospital, please contact the church to let us know and our hospital visitors will be by to see you.

Hospital Visits Home Communion

For our homebound and hospitalized friends, being able to participate in the life of the congregation by sharing in Holy Communion is a true blessing. Through Home Communion, they can still participate in the body and blood of Christ that unites us in Christian faith.

Our Home Communion servers provide the Eucharist to our friends who cannot get to church. Recipients do not need to be members of our church. They need only to seek the love and grace of God in Jesus Christ.

Home Communion servers bring elements which have been consecrated by our pastor during a worship service. It is important that receivers know they are participating in the same Communion we provide at the church altar: a reminder that, even if they are unable to come to church for worship in body, we are all spiritually united with Christ and to each other in ministry to all people, wherever we may be.

How You Can Help

Volunteers for this ministry make regular caring visits to those who cannot attend regular worship services due to being homebound or hospitalized, with:

• Caring visits to homebound members
• Hospital visits
• Serving Communion to the hospitalized and homebound

Volunteers need:

• A one-year commitment to this ministry
• Attend two-three hours of training on caring visits
• Make at least one contact visit per month
• Make contact by phone at least once a week
• Update the pastoral staff of notable changes in the contact’s status
• Participate in up to three one-hour status meetings a year with program leadership

If you feel called to volunteer in the vital ministry, please contact Rev. Jonathan Perry.