PASTORAL CARE
TO the Parish. FOR the Parish. FROM the Parish.
WHAT IS PASTORAL CARE?A program of INREACH to reflect God’s love through our faith in action. Our goal as Shepherds on the Pastoral Care Team is to provide a ministry of hope and care so that no member of our parish need be alone. We support those going through a life crisis, maintain contact with those parishioners unable to attend church, and support friends and family involved in caregiving and comfort the bereaved.
A Lay Pastoral Care Team is a group of people dedicated to supporting people with specific needs. At a time when our population is aging, caring for older adults is especially relevant. This is an ideal ministry for laity as they often have long-term relationships with older members. And there is a role for people with different skills. Those who are good at listening and caring can be visitors. Those who like to DO things can buy or prepare food, schedule visitors, write notes, gather information and resources, serve as drivers, etc. What’s important is that we have a team of people who can respond to the needs in our congregation. This can also extend to those who need a break from caring for someone who is ill or shut-in, those whose loved one has died or be with someone who has a chronic illness or disability. |
Congregations cannot depend solely on the clergy to provide pastoral care. They do, of course, provide care when people are dying, struggling with death or an illness or need to speak with a priest. Routine visits to the lonely, sick, elderly, homebound, etc., are best done by the laity under direction of clergy. Because this is a core ministry of the laity and because there are more laity in a congregation than clergy, those needing care will receive it more frequently! Lay pastoral caregivers find that this ministry is deeply meaningful and that it usually deepens their spiritual life.
Download the Pastoral Care Pamphlet here.
Download the Pastoral Care Pamphlet here.
JOIN THE PASTORAL CARE TEAM
Come to a meeting |
Contact |
Our Team meets every two weeks to share experiences, ask questions, brainstorm new ideas, participate in trainings, and review best practices. Our hope is that Shepherds attend meetings as often as possible.
October 12: Depression and Older Adults October 26: Gratitude November 16: Family Relationships December 14: I can't, God Can. Let him. |
Sharon Stricker (Team Leader)
slsmkb@aol.com | (864) 710-9316 Kathryn Dean (Team Leader) deankathryn17@yahoo.com | (850) 630-4722 Alison Schultz (Clergy Liaison) aschultz.gs@gmail.com | (404) 357-8202 |
WHAT DO WE OFFER?
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- Walking the Mourner's Path: 8 week study on grief and loss,
- Petal Pushers: flowers from the alter after services are used to make 3-4 floral arrangements for the sick, homebound or those in the hospital
- Love letters: Cards and letters written by members of the Pastoral Care team and given to the sick, struggling or missing service.
- Heavenly Foods: soups and casseroles lovingly made and placed in freezers in the basement of hines hall, to be given to people in need in the parish
- Eucharistic visits: led by Alison, who has trained a small team in giving the eucharist to people in home or hospital
TESTIMONIALS
Carroll Rivers
"My left eye requires a shot every six weeks. It is not to cure but to keep it from being worse.The doctor is in Sylva. My ride, at the last moment could not take me. The Lay Pastoral Care Team came to my need!" Liz and Lamar Cole
"The help we received from the pastoral care team was wonderful. They drove us to and from doctor appointments, ran errands for us and brought us many delicious meals. It was such a blessing to us and I don’t know how we would have gotten through that difficult time without them. Thanks to all of them." |
Sharon Vanvick
"...Your presence and prayers made all the difference in my recovery. Your calls and emails continue to impact my healing every day! All of this abundance of care has made me recognize the importance of caring for others..." Maizie Belser
"To be so blessed as to be a part of a loving, caring family, is one of God’s greatest gifts. I believe though that now God is calling us to open our eyes wider to see the needs of every sheep in our 'little flock' so that not one 'can slip through the cracks.'” |
NEED ASSISTANCE?
The Pastoral Care Team now has a dedicated phone line at Good Shepherd.
Let us know how we can help!
828-743-2359 Ext. 7
The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina
Good Shepherd's Mission Statement
“To reflect God’s love through our Faith in Action”
“To reflect God’s love through our Faith in Action”
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 32 Cashiers, NC 28717 Address: 1448 Highway 107 South Cashiers, North Carolina 28717 Contact Ellen Albright, Parish Administrator Phone: 828-743-2359 Fax: 828-743-9138 Email: goodshepadmin@frontier.com |
Directions:
From the intersection of US 64 and NC 107 in Cashiers, NC, we are 1.5 miles south on NC 107, on the right, and across the street from the entrance to High Hampton Inn. |