Parish Outreach Ministries
`For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'
Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:35-40
The same people to people contact Matthew describes, is the true Mission of the Parish Outreach ministries. We care for people. We visit them in the hospitals every Monday, we visit them at home, we bring the Eucharist to them and we give them hope, comfort and support. Outreach, through its' Outreach and Welcome Committees coordinates a wide variety of programs and support services including the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, receptions following Funerals and Memorial services, Coffee and donut Sundays and more. Sub-committees include telephone, neighborhood networks, and others. You will also find Outreach ministers involved in bereavement support groups and education through Growth Through Loss which meets on a regular basis. Outreach also cooperates with AA, the local food banks and the Interfaith Council which sponsors the annual Crop Walk.
The Stephen Ministry
The Stephen Ministry is a program that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances. Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who express God's care to others in many ways. After completing 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts, they are commissioned for a two year term. During their term they visit those who have requested them on a regular and dependable basis offering Christian support and care. All of this is under the guidance of trained Stephen leaders, who also provide ongoing education and skill building during the years of service. This confidential ministry is open to all adult parishioners in good standing. Training is offered once each year.