Preparing Christmas gifts for homebound members of the parish.
The purpose of pastoral care is to nurture relationships of service by sharing God’s love with others through one or more of our many pastoral care programs.
Lay Eucharistic Ministry Lay Eucharistic Ministers carry the bread and wine directly from the altar to the sick and homebound. They have completed a diocesan training program and are licensed by the bishop for three years. Chris Strittmatter – Coordinator
Pastoral Care Visitation Team This group of parishioners visits the homebound, the sick and others in the name of Christ and as representatives of the parish family. They have received special training to carry out this ministry of presence, care and prayer and are supervised by a member of the clergy. George Bishop – Coordinator
Dolphins The Dolphins is a ministry of visitation and caring friendship with the elderly or others who benefit from ongoing one-to-one relationships. Carol Coffey and Peg Lightkep – Co-Chairs
The Neighborhood Shepherd Ministry The Neighborhood Shepherd Program provides a system of communication between members of our parish family so that we may respond to one another’s needs. A shepherd coordinates neighbors to respond to needs in times of birth, illness and death. Connie Dee – Coordinator
Flower Ministry The altar flowers are taken each week after service or on Monday to the sick, the homebound or to others. Those who are interested in this important ministry of care and comfort are scheduled by the coordinator for service, according to their availability. Wendy Hottenstein – Coordinator
Intercession Ministries Two pastoral care ministries at Saint Matthew’s exist for the purpose of offering prayer for others – the intercessory prayer team and the prayer chain. Speak to Dave Robinson if you would like to consider becoming a member of either ministry.
The Intercessory Prayer Team leads prayers for healing, renewal and God’s presence on Sunday Mornings. All are welcome to come as individuals or in groups to receive prayer, laying-on-of-hands and anointing following communion. Team members are encouraged to attend regularly scheduled supervisory meetings with clergy and other team members and to attend training sessions on occasion. Judy Rosa– Coordinator
The Prayer Chain prays daily for those parishioners, their families, friends and others who have special needs, lifting them up to God. Names may be placed on the prayer chain by contacting the coordinators. Names remain on the list for two months. Those who place people on the list are asked to resubmit names every two months (by the 20th of even numbered months) if continuing prayer is desired and to inform the coordinator when intensive prayer is no longer needed. Chris Strittmatter and Judy Ermigiotti – Coordinators
