Epworth is launching an intentional ministry of caring and visitation; a concept older than our Christian faith, personified in the life and teachings of Jesus, the Christ. As you have freely received, freely give.
Jesus’ spirit of compassion and care is the model for Congregational Care, a subject of study at the 2009 School of Missions and of special concern to our pastor. The purpose of this ministry is simply to convey Christian love by welcoming new members beyond Sunday morning greetings in our building; by remembering special events such as holidays, birthdays, death, marriage, birth, illness in the lives of shut-ins beyond notice in the Sunday bulletin and the monthly newsletter – a personal touch; by sharing communion with members who cannot join us before the altar; by brief monthly visits or phone calls to members confined to their homes or in nursing homes. This is not a fly-by-the-seat-of-our pants do-gooder activity. This is a coordinated program with a manual of guidelines and an organized team of lovers of Jesus’ commandment to love one another.
Present members of this team are:
- Janet Neff, Jo Malessa; coordinators
- Diane Dunn, Joy Malessa; resources
- Betty Adair, Ginny Price, Betsi Tatem; card ministry
- Jane Smith; visitation
- Mary Wallis, Phyllis Leyshon; communion
- Doris Coates, Jo Malessa, Don and Janet Neff, Ginny Price, Nancy Quattrocci, Debbie Rabil, Eva Schultz, Donna Undercuffler; visitation and phone calls.
Please consider joining your brothers and sisters in Christ in conveying the love and care and prayers of our congregation. At this time we especially need gentlemen callers. Speak to Janet or Jo. Join us in walking the walk. “I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together.”
We welcome notice of need of this ministry. Please do not rely on our pastor or staff to second-guess the needs and concerns of our Epworth family and do not presume that someone else has surely told us of the need. Better to be told often than not to be told at all. Call or drop a note.
Paraphrasing Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25:35-45, “I tell you the truth, even as you have loved, comforted and cared for; laughed and cried with the least of my brothers and sisters, you have loved me. When you have neglected my brothers and sisters, you have neglected me.” Pray for one another, and pray for this ministry.
Janet and Jo
