From the Pastoral Care Coordinator:

So just what does a pastoral care coordinator do?The Church of the Incarnation was blessed with a one-year grant from an anonymous donor for the purpose of identifying and expanding the pastoral gifts and skills of this congregation. We have a thriving congregation, and we want to make sure that all those who claim COI as their spiritual home feel included and cared for!

The role of a pastoral care coordinator is to assist this parish to come up with a plan, a team, a format for training, and then implementation of additional ways to extend pastoral care. Up to now, pastoral care needs have been largely Rev. Stephen Shaver’s responsibility. In addition, several clergy in our parish function as Priest-on-call when Stephen is unavailable, and we are grateful for their willingness to continue to serve when needed.

But now you have me too, 8-10 hours a week, to assist in the spiritual care of the congregation. I have served as a marriage and family therapist for over 35 years but am winding down that career. It really excites me to serve you in this new role, and I am listening carefully to hear what your priorities and dreams are for our pastoral care team.

I am here now as a point person you can come to when you need or want care or need additional resources. Alternatively, you can suggest to me someone you think is “falling through the cracks” and needs attention. Or share your ideas about how we can improve pastoral care. Eventually, our team will be working together with all the ministries in the church to make sure we are aware of, and responding to, care concerns and requests as thoroughly and quickly as possible. Staff are trained to be respectful of privacy issues, and to treat matters in a confidential way wherever that is necessary.

This does not mean that I’m replacing our Reverend Stephen Shaver for all your pastoral care needs. He will be away from June 1 until early September on a three-month sabbatical. In the meantime, Fr. Rod McAulay will be available around 16 hours per week, and certainly at a time of crisis or disaster. In addition, I will be around most of the summer, and we have several other clergy members available for prayer and guidance throughout this time.

In the next few months, I will be seeking out people with strong listening gifts to receive training and become part of the team who responds to requests for care. Some needs might be ongoing: for example, visiting a senior member who is housebound. Some needs will be situational: for example, surgery or a job loss. It’s likely a team member will teach a class or facilitate a support group on a current and relevant topic.

If you have a concern or need that you want my support with, you can reach me by email me at [email protected].