What is Pastoral Care?
Our Pastoral Care ministries exist to care for the body and spirit of our parishioners. Through a variety of programs, we offer a cheerful face, card, or song, along with prayers, to touch lives and share burdens. From being a member of the prayer chain, to visiting newcomers, shut-ins or the ill, or helping with hospitality, Christ Church offers many opportunities to care for one another.
How Do I Get Involved?
The Pastoral Care ministry depends on participants "like each one of us" who give a few minutes of their week for their brothers and sisters in Christ in need. You can participate from your own home through the Prayer Chain, or get out and about through the Newcomer, Bread & Soup, or other ministry.
Prayer Chain
A group of parishioners pray on a daily basis for specific needs of church members. This prayer chain is initiated by the Rector through Sue Jones. All prayer needs are kept confidential by the member of the prayer chain.
Bread & Soup
Eleanor Monahan coordinates the Bread & Soup Committee. This committee meets in the church kitchen as needed to make soup. The soup is then frozen. The soup along with some fresh bread is delivered to parishioners who have been ill or hospitalized.
Food Bank
Members of the congregation bring non-prerishable food to church each week. Volunteers regularly deliver it to the Salvation Army or CCAP (Congragational Community Action Project). Contact Lucia Thomas to volunteer for deliveries.
Guild of the Christ Child
Families with new babies are ministered to by this caring group. The group will follow the parents through the pregnancy and provide literature and support to the family. They make visits and take much needed items and food to the new parents.
Care Cards
When a word of encouragement or condolence is needed, Cal Royall sends a card to let our members know they are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tea Time Stitchers
This group meets once a month to sip tea, and enjoy fellowship while they lovingly and prayerfully knit or crochet. They make lap throws, scarves, hats and baby caps to surround members of our parish family with our love. Contact Lucia Thomas for information.
Parish Nurse
Our volunteer parish nurse is Helen Zebarth. She has an office in the Smith Building. Helen assists the clergy in visiting those who are ill or infirmed.
Helen is also a vital part of our healing ministry at our Wednesday Noon Eucharist. On the third Wednesday of the month she assists at a service of laying on of hands and anointing with oil for healing. She is available for counsel as well.
Resource books available from the nurse's office, click here.
Books on grieving for adults, click here.
Books available for grieving children, click here.
Are you Affairs in Order? An active pastoral care manual to help collect thoughts & request details. click here.
The Parish Nurse Ministry Keeping Your Congregation Healthy Mind, Body, and Soul
And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal, and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant, Jesus. Acts 4:29-30.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Parish Nurse Committee is to promote and proclaim Christ's healing presence in the lives of the people of the Diocese of Virginia.
A Parish Nurse Is:
- a Registered Nurse committed to meeting the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of the whole person, and to promoting wellness through a healing ministry of the parish.
- a volunteer member of the church staff who develops health and wellness programs benefiting the congregational body and surrounding community.
- a lay leader who assists the congregation to identify, interpret, rediscover, and reclaim its historic role in the area of health/wellness.
- One who understands that parish means "to go with", guiding the members in of the faith community in their mission of healing.
Role of the Parish Nurse Includes:
- HEALTH EDUCATOR: Promotes understanding of the relationship between mind, body, and spirit; provides health screenings; and teaches wellness and preventative health concepts.
- REFERRAL SOURCE: Acts as a liaison to community resources and services; links congregational members with services.
- HEALTH COUNSELOR: Discusses personal health problems; makes hospital, nursing home, and home visits and encourages chronically ill persons to achieve as optimal health as possible.
- INTEGRATOR OF HEALTH : Helps parishioners access healthcare delivery and to train volunteers in visitation and prevention classes.
For More Information Contact:
Diocese of Virginia - Parish Nurse Chairman & Liaison to Region III
The Parish Nurse is a part of the church Health ministry Committee or Commission which advises and cooperates in the Parish Nurse's activities.