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A Pastoral Care Story

A Pastoral Care Story

by The Reverend Dr. Roman D. Roldan on November 30, 2022

TLDR: Our Pastoral Care ministries have been busy. Please read their following report to see how we are fulfilling our goal to meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of people in our parish.

Saint Dunstan’s pastoral care teams generously give their time and resources to serve parishioners undergoing all sorts of difficulties. So far in 2022, we have served 592 recipients, have logged 1,129 direct care volunteer hours, and have dedicated 503 administrative hours to our efforts. In a report to our staff, Pastoral Care leaders state, “The term “Recipient” doesn’t actually refer to unique people, but to contacts between volunteers and parishioners. Some of our parishioners are contacted multiple times by different teams, depending on their needs.”

In addition to clergy visits to homes, hospitals, nursing units, and rehabilitation facilities, we currently have Stephen ministry, which, “Equips congregation members to provide one-to-one Christian care to people who are hurting.” (https://www.stephenministries.org/default.cfm.) So far this year, they have assisted 69 care receivers, for a total of 345 contact hours, and 284 hours of training. Our Dove Notes ministry has sent love-care postcards and personalized notes to 48 parishioners, has spent 18 volunteer hours to do so, and has provided 9 hours of administrative support to the program. Feed my Flock has provided 116 meals to 29 recipients who have been recently released from hospitals or who are recovering at home from various illnesses. They have spent an additional 19 administrative hours in support of this ministry. We have served 95 people in Intercessory Prayer, spending 24 volunteer and 12 administrative hours doing so. 46 volunteer hours were spent in Lay Eucharistic Visits to 57 recipients who were unable to come to church, in addition to 20 administrative hours needed to support this ministry.  Petal Pushers have delivered 169 flower arrangements to people who are ill, have had a baby, are grieving the loss of a loved one, or are celebrating a special milestone. 400 volunteer hours have been spent supporting this ministry, in addition to 150 administrative hours. Lastly, our Shepherds Support Ministry walked alongside 172 parishioners in need of some support, for a total of 221 volunteer and 40 administrative hours.

All of these lay ministries support the clergy work of visitation, counseling, direct assistance (through clergy discretionary funds,) and pastoral care during the planning of various funeral services. The story these numbers tells is that we truly are a community that loves and cares for each other. One of our shared values and ministry strategies is Pastoral Care. Our ministry strategy states, “We work to meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of persons in our parish with well trained and responsive lay and ordained pastors. Our practice of pastoral care extends beyond times of crisis to encompass our daily lives.” The numbers given above make it clear that all of us together are accomplishing this goal.

There are a few ways in which you can help us in our pastoral care efforts. First and foremost, continue to pray for all our people, especially for our volunteers and ministry coordinators. Second, be our advocate and spokesperson. Pastoral care requires word of mouth to thrive. Let others know about our services and encourage them to call us when they have a need. If you become aware of a need, just pick up the phone and call the office or call Jerrie Bergeron, our Director of Pastoral Care. Third, choose to become involved in our ministries. Whether you have a few hours a month to a few hours a week, we can use you. Some of our ministries are low-effort services that can be done from home and will only take a few minutes a day. Other ministries require the willingness to drive and the physical ability to lift and carry meals or flower arrangements. Our goal is to find a ministry for everyone who wants one. Call us, tell us what you wish to do, and let us do the rest.

During this season of stewardship, when our In His Steps ministry is in full swing, it is important for all of us to realize that our financial contributions to the church have practical and effective results. Our funding changes peoples lives and provides great sources of support to parishioners in need. Please continue to pray for us as we prepare a 2023 budget. If you have any questions about our pastoral care programs, our budget, or any other issues, please feel free to contact me directly. May our Lord continue to bless you as we prepare for the coming of our Savior at Christmas Day.

Blessings to all,

Fr. Roman+

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