Pastoral care
Many people at St. Stephen’s benefit from the pastoral care of their fellow parishioners. Homebound parishioners and others who need a special touch receive regular visits, baked goods, cards and notes, and seasonal remembrances from clergy and lay visitors, while homebound parishioners and those in the hospital receive Communion from clergy and Eucharistic Visitors (also known as Lay Eucharistic Ministers). The Prayer Shawl Ministry gathers weekly in prayer and fellowship to knit prayer shawls for others.
In order to make sure that St. Stephen’s provides the special touch that our parishioners need when they need it, our pastoral care ministries work closely together to provide pastoral care to any who desire it. Our goal is to coordinate and cover the needs of all of our members—those who give and those who receive pastoral care—and we do this through lay pastoral care teams who meet regularly. Gatherings include prayer, assignments, reporting, training and mutual care around the responsibilities team members encounter. In addition to visits and Communion, lay pastoral team members have delivered Easter bookmarks, Thanksgiving cards, and St. Stephen’s Advent calendars, as well as casseroles and cookies made by volunteers.
Pastoral care is a ministry for all of us. We hope that you will consider being a part of this vital parish ministry.
Contact
The Rev. Bill Sachs // 804.288.2867 // email