Pastoral Care

At Christ Church, pastoral care is a team ministry of clergy and laity working together. This model of shared ministry allows us to offer greater support and care for our large and ever-growing congregation.

The Christ Church clergy, in addition to their sacramental, preaching, teaching, and administrative responsibilities, offer pre-marital counseling, provide support during relationship challenges, and are available at times of crisis, illness or death. Their professional skills and training are an essential part of the pastoral care ministry at Christ Church.

However, much of the day-to-day care and support for which Christ Church is known would not be possible without the dedication of more than 200 of her parishioners. In concert with the clergy, these men and women offer their time and talent to serve in the various ministries of Christ Church Cares, our innovative system of pastoral care.

Christ Church Cares

Christ Church Cares is a communication network of clergy, shepherds, and pastoral support ministries working together to ensure that "no one walks alone" as they face the challenges and changes of life.

Shepherds

Christ Church Cares' shepherds are lay women and men who receive ongoing training and supervision in basic pastoral skills. Their responsibility is to keep in touch with a particular segment of the congregation. They function much like a neighborhood watch. Upon learning that one of "their" households is experiencing a situation for which pastoral support might be helpful, shepherds make contact and offer the services of Christ Church's clergy and various pastoral support ministries.

Of course, parishioners need not wait for their shepherd to call. When the church's support would be helpful, parishioners should contact their shepherd as soon as possible. To learn how to contact your shepherd, or for more information about Christ Church Cares' shepherds, please contact either:

Mayes Barnett @ 543-0744 or mayesfla@comcast.net

Elizabeth Anderson @ 403-5202 or elkanderson@comcast.net

Pastoral Support Ministries

Christ Church's pastoral support ministries are staffed with men and women who offer their time and talent to reach out with God's love to those experiencing changes, challenges or particular difficulties. These ministries include:

Breast Cancer Support Ministry – Survivors of breast cancer who offer support and encouragement to newly diagnosed women and their families. Breast Cancer Support Ministers receive training in basic pastoral skills.

Career Transition Ministry – Gifted and experienced professionals who offer workshops designed to provide practical, emotional, and spiritual support for those who are unemployed, under-employed, or less-than-happily employed.

Celebration Ministry – Compassionate individuals who provide simple receptions for bereaved families and friends following funerals or memorial services.

Eucharistic Visitors Ministry – Laity who have been licensed by the bishop to take communion to homebound or hospitalized parishioners. Eucharistic Visitors receive diocesan mandated training.

Flower Ministry – Teams who divide the weekly altar flower arrangements into smaller bouquets and deliver them to hospitals, care facilities, or private homes.

Good Samaritan Ministry – "Handymen" who are available to help disabled or physically-challenged parishioners with minor home repairs: changing bulbs in ceiling fixtures, replacing air-conditioning filters, hanging mirrors, etc.

Intercessors Ministry – A network of parishioners who pray daily for the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of those who have requested their support.

Meal Ministry – Willing servants who prepare and deliver meals to parishioners recovering from surgery, illness or injury.

Military Support Network Ministry – A network of parishioners who offer support to families of active duty military who have been deployed abroad.

Newborn Ministry – Women and men who offer support to expectant and adoptive families. The Newborn Ministry provides information on baptism, nursery and Christian formation, and at the birth deliver "announcement angels" to families' homes.

Prayer Shawl Ministry – Parishioners who create and distribute shawls to those who are grieving, facing life-threatening illness, etc. Prayer shawls serve as tangible reminders of prayers prayed and love offered.

Stephen Ministry – Men and women who offer confidential, one-on-one, Christian care to those who are facing illness, dealing with grief, suffering loss, etc. Stephen Ministers receive extensive pastoral training and participate in ongoing supervision and continuing education.  Come learn more about the Stephen Ministry at an information meeting on August 5 in the Christian Family Center. For more info, contact Terry Totman at 285-7390, ext. 231.

Christ Church has been blessed with people who have the gifts to be actively involved in meaningful ministry. As the body of Christ on earth, all God’s people are called to love and care for one another. Stephen Ministry provides us with the training which allows us to meet that call. Stephen Ministers spend 50 hours in intensive training in order to care for those of us who are experiencing difficult times. Difficulties do not have to be unmanageable before we ask for the care of a Stephen Minister. Stephen Ministers walk beside people who are experiencing life’s challenges from divorce, loss of job and death of a loved one, to illness, a difficult pregnancy and caring for someone who is sick. Currently we have approximately 36 trained Stephen Ministers to meet the needs of our parish of close to 6,000. We hold our training classes once every year, commencing each Fall. This year our class begins on September 2, ending on December 2. If you are looking for a new challenge which includes a training program that will equip you not just for Stephen Ministry but for life, please contact Madeleine Tavares at tav6000@bellsouth.net and attend our Stephen Ministry Information Meeting on August 5 at 7PM (Madeleine will email you the location when you indicate your wish to attend). Stephen Ministry may be one of the most rewarding ministries in which you ever participate!  If you wish to find out more about having a Stephen Minister care for you, please contact Bob Morris at 904 - 285-7390, ext. 236 or Karol Mantz at kmantz@vicarslanding.com or call her at 904-543-9377.

Transportation Ministry – Volunteers who periodically transport those who because of age or infirmity are not able to drive to doctor appointments, drug store, church, etc.

Visitation Ministry – Compassionate individuals who visit parishioners in hospitals or care facilities, or who are homebound. Those who serve in the Visitation Ministry receive significant pastoral training.

Widows' Group Ministry – A group of widows who meet monthly for fellowship and mutual support, and quarterly for an inspirational program.

Got Questions?

For more information on Christ Church Cares' system of pastoral ministry, contact either:
Patti Arey, Lay Leader, @ 280-5626 or arey@netscape.com or the Rev. Bob Morris, Clergy Leader, @ 285-7390 x 236 or bobmorris@ChristEpiscopalChurch.org

To inquire about serving in one of Christ Church Cares pastoral support ministries, contact:
Renee Hotes @ 280-0560, 233-3647 or rchotes@comcast.net