The Pastoral Care Associates and the Caring Committee meet jointly with Rev. Carie Johnsen to consider the needs of and services for individuals and the congregation overall. The focus is on helping people within the church community know that they are not alone in times of need, and on ensuring the support of and continuing connection with the congregation in a variety of life situations.
Activities of the Caring Committee include assisting families during times of need, such as death in the family, surgery, accident, illness, etc. They arrange for meals, errands, and transportation to church and some appointments, as possible. The Caring Committee coordinates receptions following Memorial Services and Celebrations of Life.
The Pastoral Care Associates assist in providing longer term support and care to members and their families. They assist through visits by providing a listening ear during challenging times and family crisis. They assist the minister in responding to larger pastoral care needs of the whole community. Pastoral Care Associates have had additional orientation. The term is generally three years.
Later Life Ministry engages older members/elders in active roles and provides ongoing connection with the congregation through life changes. Later Life Ministry provides:
- Opportunity for older adults and elders and their families to plan for later and end of life considerations with support from this faith community. This includes group activities (such as Small Group Ministry ) and time with the minister.
- Transportation to events, and assists with timing of events to accommodate needs (such as daytime meetings and medical/health appointments).
- Ways to keep connected with the church community through life and health changes. This includes visiting and contacts.
- Opportunities for older adults in all aspects of congregational life, including accessibility and comfort of meeting spaces and furnishings, and availability of assistive devices, such as sound amplification and large print hymnals and printed materials.
Ongoing activities include Elder Lunches (Second Sundays, under Social Activities) and Small Group Ministry (after Elder Lunches).
Get Involved
We all are involved in the caring ministry of the church. Specific ways to become involved are:
- Let the Caring Committee know how you can be of assistance, such as by providing meals, making calls or transporting as the need arises.
- Keep connected with people when you know of a need. This includes letting the minister, Caring Committee or Pastoral Care Associates know of a need, with the knowledge of the person about whom you are concerned.
- Let your own pastoral care needs be known. There are times when we give, and there are times when we need the caring connection of the congregation.
Contact Information
Minister: Rev. Carie Johnsen
Pastoral Care Associates:
Marty Thornton
Terry Cookson
Caring Committee Co-Chairs:
Hannah Faulkner
Jill Watson
Later Life Ministry Coordination
Rev. Helen Zidowecki