St. Luke's Care Team

DID YOU KNOW St. Luke’s has a Care Team Ministry?

DID YOU KNOW this Ministry has been an active part of St. Luke’s for several decades?

DID YOU KNOW we have supported hundreds of members since inception?
 
WELL, WHETHER YOU KNEW IT OR NOT, let me tell you all about it!
  
How did it all start?
 
In 1991, Pastor Mary Dodgson established the Stephen Ministry Program with a couple of St. Luke’s members. This Ministry included the care of homebound members. The name for this Ministry was changed to the Care Team in 2005 by Pastor Linda Willette and our long-time member, Margaret Dahl. 
 
The purpose of the Care Team is to provide support to aging, homebound, and chronically ill members, along with others who request our care.
 
How does this work and what do we do as Care Team Ministers? 
 
The Team meets every other month or so to address several topics:
 
After an opening devotion, we talk about CARE for the CAREGIVERS, which is our Team. We share with each other our recent ups and downs in life, including our own prayer needs. This is a very personal and intimate time that bonds us together as we prepare to provide support to others.
 
Rob maintains a list of recipients of the Ministry and their respective Caregiver. 
We make contact with our members and share in conversation and visits, if requested.
During visits, there is conversation, prayer, and communion is served if requested by the member, distribution of applicable Care Notes (found in the Narthex), along with other opportunities to help out where needed. We update the Team regarding the wellbeing of each member, how we can assist them, and lift them up in prayer.
 
We also spend time reviewing and praying for everyone on St. Luke’s prayer list and address additional matters as they arise. 
 
Why do we do this? 
 
BECAUSE WE CARE! The members appreciate the calls and visits for so many reasons: Friendship, support, a listening ear, loneliness, hearing about St. Luke’s, prayer, reflection and forgiveness before receiving communion, and just knowing someone CARES. These visits also fill the hearts of our Care Team Ministers as we establish these special relationships.
 
And, as Rob said in one of his emails to our Team: Thank you for your care and concern for others. You are living examples of the truth, “God cares for people through other people.”
 
 If you, or someone you know, would appreciate calls and/or visits, please contact the Office. We will be happy to help.
 
There are several women and men who participate in this Ministry but we are always looking for additional Care Team Ministers. Please contact Rob if you are interested. TAKE CARE!

Laurie Blanchard

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