The primary mission of this ministry is to demonstrate care and compassion toward those CHCPC members who are unable, temporarily or long term, to attend church services.
One of our goals is to have caregivers establish a personal presence with individuals who are homebound long term. The expectation is that a caregiver will visit his or her "friend" in person at least once each month and to communicate by phone or with a card or note on a regular basis.
Caregivers are also encouraged to accompany a deacon or elder who will periodically bring home communion to the homebound friend. Caregiver visits allow the friend to talk about church, family, friends, and just about anything he or she wants. Where there are spouses involved, these visits provide a possible break in their routine while reinforcing that they are still valued members of the church. In some cases a planned visit may allow the spouse to run errands or have a little respite time alone or with friends.
A second goal of the Care Team ministry is to provide tangible expressions of care and compassion to those who are temporarily unable to attend worship due to hospitalization or other circumstance. Care Team members can deliver a meal for the family of someone who is hospitalized or temporarily incapacitated; team members also can explore with a family what assistance would best meet their needs during this interim period. Perhaps bringing a copy of the church bulletin or a recent sermon may help lead to conversations about what's happening at CHCPC while they have been temporarily absent.
While we subscribe to the premise that "90% of caring is just showing up," some "basic training" is provided for team members, and periodic gatherings of caregivers are hosted for the purpose of sharing our respective experiences in this ministry.
We are guided and strengthened by this scripture:
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:12-13
For more information about the Care Team ministry contact us by email at
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