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Education/Ministries
Caring Ministries
Through the Caring Ministries of First Church,
we seek to use our time and talent in ways that demonstrate love for our
neighbors. Mother Teresa said that God has only our hands with which to
bless the world. We pray that God’s love may guide our hands and our
hearts.
Our Pastors provide pastoral care through
visitation in homes, nursing facilities and hospitals, as well as
contact with church members and friends by phone and letters. Please
contact the church office to request a visit from one of the pastors.
The Task Force in Caring Ministries (TFCM),
with the help of Senior Pastor, Rev. David Taylor, oversees Caring Ministries and initiates ways in which to improve caring outreach and build connections within our large church family. Our church is blessed with so many Caring Ministers who share their gifts, time, and love with others. We ask that all Caring Ministers attend at least one training and informational session each fall, monthly meetings for updates and support, and an Appreciation Dinner in the spring.
Caring Ministries include:
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Faith Community
Nursing
(FCN) is a care program of lay leaders, who include licensed nurses as
well as individuals interested in health education and worship
services for healing. This team provides blood pressure screenings,
home visits, referral information, and educational programs on topics
such as end-of-life issues. A variety of services for healing and
prayer are also offered on a monthly basis throughout the year.
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Adult Education Task Force
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In Reach Callers
have a new name—“Neighborhood Callers”
They are a group of caring individuals, each of whom serves as a contact
person for a specific neighborhood or small group of families in
Glastonbury and towns where church members live. By calling, sending
cards, and delivering flowers, these volunteers seek to offer support
and additional connection for people in our large church family.
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Friendly Visitors
volunteer to visit one or more members from our congregation on a
monthly basis. Through such visits, they hope to provide additional
support and companionship to specific members. If you know of someone
who would like a Friendly Visitor, please contact the Church Office.
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Support Team Ministry
includes:
1) Basic Support Team members, who provide care in a variety of
ways for specific individuals or families in their homes
2) Members of a Mission Support Team, the Transportation Team,
which provide people with rides to medical appointments and Sunday
Worship
3) Administrative Support Team members, who provide training
for new Support Team members.
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Members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry
meet once a month for fellowship and the knitting of prayer shawls.
These shawls are blessed with special prayers and given to people in
times of struggle, transition, and joy, including patients in Hartford
Hospital and Back Bay Mission in Biloxi MS.
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The
Flower
Committee arranges for flowers
and plants to be in the Meeting House every Sunday. Members create
beautiful floral arrangements that our pastors, InReach Callers and
Friendly Visitors bring to parishioners. Thanks to the generosity of
the congregation, our flower program is a vital part of Caring
Ministries.
Additional Resources
Please visit our Church Library, where you may borrow
books on aging, healing, grieving, prayer, and other topics related to
Caring Ministries. If you are preparing for surgery, we recommend the
book and tape Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster, by Peggy
Huddleston (copies in our library).
A Reiki session may be scheduled with trained
practitioners who are members of First Church, before and/or after
surgery, or as the need arises. Please call the Church Office to
request a session.
and clowns from the
"Caring Ministries Appreciation Dinner"! |
