A strong part of our shared ministry is the Care Network, which is ready and willing to care for any congregants in need. We have several ways in which we care for people at PUUC: Pastoral care offered by the minister; trained Lay Pastoral Associates; and the Care Committee.
Minister
Our minister, Rev. Lane Fisher will be available to make hospital visits (in non-COVID times), to work with individuals and families in times of crises, and to refer congregants to our Care Network, depending on what is needed.
Pastoral Care Associates
Our Lay Pastoral Associates provide the church community with a confidential and compassionate listening presence. Nancy Arnold and Jeannie Balfour have been specially trained to offer support to members coping with challenges such as illness, life transitions, grief or loss, care-giving obligations, and spiritual discernment. They work with the minister and the Care Committee to ensure continuity of pastoral care. Current Pastoral Care Associates include Rev. Nancy Arnold, Jeannie Balfour, Tom Cowan, Barbara Harlow, Dr. Elaine Holden.
Care Committee
The Care Committee’s mission is to help people with meals and visits after an illness, hospitalization, birth, death or other life-changing event. The way that this happens is that the person in need contacts a member of the Care Committee, letting them know what they need. The minister also lets the Care Committee know when she becomes aware of a need. The Care Committee has a phone list of those in our congregation’s community who will bring meals or make visits.
The Care Committee maintains privacy of the people it is serving. The Committee does not, for example, put notes in the Cresset or make announcements on Sunday when a member or friend is ill. (If you want that done, please contact Vanessa, Church Administrator.) With your permission, the Care Committee will share the information you’ve given us with Rev. Lane.
If you are need of care or interested in taking part in giving the care that goes on in our congregation, please contact Rev. Lane, the Lay Pastoral Associates or any of our members of the Care Committee:
Care Committee Roster
Sarah Dengler, Chair
Julie Flood Page
Meredith Martin
Anne Fischer
Sheri Davis O'Brien
