Parish Caring Ministries
“Bear one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”Galatians 6:2
Parish Caring Ministries (PCM) began its work in the fall of 1998. Our vision has been to create an intentional caring connection among all First Church members, especially those that are homebound, in nursing facilities, hospitalized or going through a difficult time. Our mission is to do Christ’s work as we reach out to one another in love. Following is the March PCM article.
Avoiding Real Conversation? Recently Jim Shea of the Hartford Courant wrote an article entitled “Avoiding Real Conversation is a Tech-Age Movement.” He talked about how we are communicating more and conversing less. We are texting and tweeting, using our I-Pods. I-Pads and Blackberries. We e-mail and we twitter. But, these days, who sits down face to face and has a prolonged, meaningful conversation? Well, the Parish Visitors do, that’s who. We are trained in the art of real conversation. We have learned how to listen with the ear of our hearts. We have meetings where we concentrate on the skills that are necessary for good listening and we visit our homebound friends once a month, sit face to face and listen to the stories of their lives. We are trusted friends and are privileged to hear of their joys, concerns, fears and hopes. Do you have any interest in becoming a Parish Visitor? We meet every other month for training, sharing and fellowship. Please feel free to call Sue Williams or Dorothy Merz.
Two Grief Groups are forming in the area. Carmon’s Funeral Home is offering grief support groups at New Day Counseling Center, whose offices are at 412 West Avon Rd in Avon. To learn more call, 860 269-0510. Also, Hebrew Health Hospice is offering an Adult Bereavement Group. To learn more or register, call 860-523-3888 or e-mail hfulmer@hebrewhealthcare.org.
I have just finished reading a novel entitled “Still Alice” about the decline of a dynamic 50-year-old woman with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. This is a beautifully written, award-winning New York Times bestseller by Lisa Genova who holds a PhD. in neuroscience from Harvard. She also writes for the National Alzheimer’s Association. The author sensitively describes the fears, anger, frustration, confusion of Alice and all the members of her family as everyone experiences her decline. But she also offers helpful information. For example, there is an on-line forum for people with dementia – Dementia Advocacy and Support Network International (DASNI). I highly recommend this book.
Thank you March Volunteers Flowers – Darlene Klase Meals and Transportation – Betty Bidwell Prayers – Sue Williams Care Notes – JoAnne Yurso Friendship Team – Kristen Eckhardt
Parish Visitors
The Visitors make personal calls on parishioners who are homebound or in nursing facilities. Many Visitors have received special training through the Pastoral Care Training Program of Hartford Hospital. They meet every other a month for support, fellowship and further training.
Meals and Transportation
This committee provides meals to members who are sick, home from the hospital, or recently bereaved. It also furnishes rides to and from church and for medical appointments. Care Note WritingThe members of this ministry write notes of support and condolence to First Church members who are ill, bereaved or convalescing after a hospitalization.
Friendship Team
Friendship Team members call to welcome visitors who have signed the Friendship Pad during Sunday Morning worship.
Parish Prayer Team
Upon receiving a request for prayers, members of the prayer teams offer prayers in the privacy of their own homes.
Knitting Ministry
This group gathers monthly to knit prayer shawls for members or friends of the congregation who are ill, grieving, lonely or in need of a spiritual lift. We literally wrap people in love and prayer.
Flower Committee
This ministry arranges for Sunday flowers and their distribution to shut-ins. They also coordinate hospitalization deliveries and the Easter and Christmas displays.
Helping Hearts
This is a ministry which engages the young people in our Sunday School classes. Members of participating classes make cards for ill, hospitalized or lonely members of First Church.
80+ Birthday Club
Birthday cards are sent to members who have reached or surpassed their 80th birthday.
Parish Caring Ministries Sunday
First Church is deeply grateful to the scores of compassionate volunteers that make up Parish Caring Ministries. Each September, we thank them formally during a Sunday service and afterward at a festive party in their honor.
Opportunities for Service to Parish Caring Ministries
Parish Caring Ministries offers unique opportunities to serve First Church. If you are interested in serving others, there is a special place for you. Do you enjoy visiting the elderly, sick or lonely? Can you make a meal or drive someone to church? Can you take a few moments to send a note of caring to someone in need? Would you like to call Sunday visitors to First Church with words of welcome? Are you able to take a few moments each week to pray in your home for parishioners in need? Are you gifted at flower arranging? Would you like to knit a prayer shawl for someone who could use a lift? PCM has set up its ministries so that, even in the midst of our busy lives, we can each take a small, manageable piece and make a very meaningful contribution to the physical, spiritual and emotional well-being of our sisters and brothers in Christ. Will you join us? For further information, please feel free to call Sue Williams.
