Pastoral Care

As the scripture reminds us all that we are caretakers of our brothers and sisters, the Pastoral Care Committee works closely with the Rector to direct a ministry that seeks to live this call aided by members of St. Anne's community. The care provided is varied as is the needs of the church community, ranging from hot meals for those in crisis or transportation for the homebound to hospital visitation and get well cards for the sick.  Established ongoing ministries include the Prayer Chain, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Manna from Heaven (A Meals Ministry), Stephen Ministry and Home Communion.

Members: David Linton, Chair and Stephen Ministry; Linda Winikoff, Vestry Liaison; Carmen Caruth, Brook Davis, Janet Fox, Barbara Johnson, Beverly Gosnell, Ad Hoc (Prayer Chain), Martha Murphy, Nancy Vaders

Pastoral Care Requests

In order to be most responsive to the needs of our congregation, there are several ways to access our pastoral care team.

For more urgent needs that require immediate attention, contact either the Rector at 918-9544 or the Pastoral Care Liaison for the month (see below).  This person is responsible for coordinating the response to pastoral care requests.

February Pastoral Care Contact

Beverly Gosnell is the Pastoral Care contact person for February.  Please contact her at 760-3621 .

Non urgent requests may be called in to the Pastoral Care phone line and left in the voice mailbox. This voice mailbox is checked daily and your concern will receive a timely response. To access this mailbox, call the church at 768-0174 and press "6" when prompted by the recording.  Please do not leave emergency requests on this line, as it could be several hours before you receive a response.

Prayer Chain

Beverly Gosnell heads up a small group of parishioners that have committed to pray daily for the concerns of the parish as well as those of the community at large.  Requests for prayer are confidential and should be given to Beverly, who can be contacted at 760-3621 or bgosnell@hotmail.com.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Each month on the second Sunday from 2-4 pm and the second Wednesday  from 7:15-8:00 pm, this group meets in the Parish Hall to knit and pray together, making shawls for those in the congregation in need of experiencing the "warmth of God's love".  Anyone that wants to be a part of this ministry may join the group at any time and no previous knitting experience is necessary.  Information about knitting supplies, shawl patterns and knitting in general is available from members of the group.  For more information about this ministry, contact Lynda Horney.

Manna from Heaven (A Meals Ministry)

It has long been a tradition at St. Anne's to provide food to St. Anne's families during times of need: new babies, illness, death, and personal or family crises.  The pastoral care team coordinates this ministry for anyone in the congregation that is in need.  

Requesting meals is simple. Contact the Pastoral Care Liaison for the month and provide the following information:

• How long you will likely need the assistance and whether you want it every day, every other day, etc.

• Dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, food allergies, etc.)

• Your contact information

The pastoral care team will take it from there.

Since we all are eligible to receive Manna from Heaven, we all have the option to participate in making and/or delivering food.  As needs arise, opportunities for being a part of this important ministry will be emailed to the congregation outlining the needs and the person coordinating the meals.  Anyone interested in providing meals should contact the coordinator.  

Participation is easy.  A meal doesn't have to be homemade, you can take advantage of prepared foods (rotisserie chicken, pizza, etc.) from places like Salem Kitchen, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, Walmart, Kentucky Fried Chicken, etc.  There are a number of places that deliver, like Dominoes and Vincenzo's, and you can call the meal in for delivery – just let the family know it is coming.  Frozen entrees are another option.  Or you can partner with another parishioner to provide a meal, with one person preparing the food and another delivering it.  

Stephen Ministry

Stephen ministers are members of St. Anne's who have received 50 hours of training, been commissioned and provide one-on-one support to individuals that are experiencing a crisis or a difficult life transition (death, divorce, separation, illness or other difficulty).  With confidentiality at the heart of this ministry, these lay ministers are trained listeners (not counselors) that meet with their care receivers weekly to listen, pray and provide spiritual support.  They receive continuing education and supervision throughout the year.  This ministry is coordinated by David Linton, who may be contacted at 765-5030.

Home Communion

Several members of the pastoral care team have been commissioned as Lay Eucharistic Ministers and they take holy communion to those who are hospitalized, homebound, or otherwise unable to attend church due to illness or crisis. Requests for home communion may be made to the Pastoral Care Liaison for the month, called in to the pastoral care phone line 768-0174 ext. 6, or called in to the parish office at 768-0174.