Pastoral Care
A Ministry of Care and Connection
Pastoral Care is a ministry shared by our Rector and Pastoral Care Committee, a group of members who, along with our Rector, come alongside individuals and families associated with our congregation to offer care and connection.
Pastoral Care is at the heart of our ministries at St. Bart’s. Whether folks are going through acute moments of crisis, experiencing long-term needs, or simply yearning to talk about the intersection of life and faith, our Rector and Pastoral Care Committee provide spiritual support through prayer and conversation as well as tangible support through things like meals (see below).
Members of the Pastoral Care Committee are trained in Safe Church Practices per the guidelines of our St. Bart’s Safe Church Policy and the Diocese of Maine’s requirements for volunteers who engage with vulnerable populations.
To reach out to the Pastoral Care Committee, please email [email protected]. Inquiries may be confidential. Pastoral Care emergencies should be referred to Amanda, our Rector, or the Committee co-chairs.
A Ministry of Care and Connection
Pastoral Care is a ministry shared by our Rector and Pastoral Care Committee, a group of members who, along with our Rector, come alongside individuals and families associated with our congregation to offer care and connection.
Pastoral Care is at the heart of our ministries at St. Bart’s. Whether folks are going through acute moments of crisis, experiencing long-term needs, or simply yearning to talk about the intersection of life and faith, our Rector and Pastoral Care Committee provide spiritual support through prayer and conversation as well as tangible support through things like meals (see below).
Members of the Pastoral Care Committee are trained in Safe Church Practices per the guidelines of our St. Bart’s Safe Church Policy and the Diocese of Maine’s requirements for volunteers who engage with vulnerable populations.
To reach out to the Pastoral Care Committee, please email [email protected]. Inquiries may be confidential. Pastoral Care emergencies should be referred to Amanda, our Rector, or the Committee co-chairs.
Eucharistic Visitors
Eucharistic Visits
Eucharistic Visits provide an opportunity for us to bring the Eucharist (consecrated bread and wine) to those who are homebound. It is an extension of our Sunday worship and it is an extension of our community, our fellowship, and our shared discipleship. Some of the members of the Pastoral Care Team are licensed as Eucharist Visitors which means that they along with our Rector are able to share prayers and communion to those not able to join us on Sunday mornings.
Eucharistic Visits provide an opportunity for us to bring the Eucharist (consecrated bread and wine) to those who are homebound. It is an extension of our Sunday worship and it is an extension of our community, our fellowship, and our shared discipleship. Some of the members of the Pastoral Care Team are licensed as Eucharist Visitors which means that they along with our Rector are able to share prayers and communion to those not able to join us on Sunday mornings.
Sustenance for our Souls
The Pastoral Care Committee coordinates meals to households at times of special need, such as a new baby, surgery, death in the family, or illness. In addition, frozen soups, stews and some entrees are available when immediate needs arise. The meals are prepared by the Pastoral Care Committee and a subcommittee of volunteer chefs. Please contact the Pastoral Care Committee if you or someone you know needs this form of assistance.
Prayer List
Prayers are offered regularly for family members and friends who have been entrusted to our St. Bart’s Prayer List. Names are printed in the weekly e-bulletin and read at services as part of the Prayers of the People. The prayer list policy – detailing how a name may be added, how long it is kept, and our policy for removing names – is available here. Requests to add a name may be submitted to a PCC member, the Pastoral Care e-mail, or the Church office.
Prayers are offered regularly for family members and friends who have been entrusted to our St. Bart’s Prayer List. Names are printed in the weekly e-bulletin and read at services as part of the Prayers of the People. The prayer list policy – detailing how a name may be added, how long it is kept, and our policy for removing names – is available here. Requests to add a name may be submitted to a PCC member, the Pastoral Care e-mail, or the Church office.
Healing Services and Personal Prayers
Healing Services are offered approximately four times per year (generally on the fifth Sunday of a month) and are coordinated in partnership with the Worship & Music Committee. Healing Services center our community’s needs for healing both personally and communally. We do this by offering extended time for prayer, lighting candles, anointing, and blessing our prayer shawls. The PCC helps to lead these services as a way to remind our community of their role and commitment to this ministry.
In addition to the quarterly Healing Services, personal prayers and anointing are offered in the chapel on the first Sunday of every month by a member of the PCC. Community members are invited to visit the chapel during communion at which time they may ask the PCC member to help them pray for something specific or a general need. This is done privately, one person or family at a time.
Healing Services are offered approximately four times per year (generally on the fifth Sunday of a month) and are coordinated in partnership with the Worship & Music Committee. Healing Services center our community’s needs for healing both personally and communally. We do this by offering extended time for prayer, lighting candles, anointing, and blessing our prayer shawls. The PCC helps to lead these services as a way to remind our community of their role and commitment to this ministry.
In addition to the quarterly Healing Services, personal prayers and anointing are offered in the chapel on the first Sunday of every month by a member of the PCC. Community members are invited to visit the chapel during communion at which time they may ask the PCC member to help them pray for something specific or a general need. This is done privately, one person or family at a time.
Wrapped in Comfort and Courage
St. Bart’s Prayer Shawl Ministry began in 2004, and since 2016 has provided over 200 prayer shawls and blankets which have been given to parishioners and friends for both comfort and courage. Each shawl is blessed before it is given away with the hope that those who wear the shawl would feel the comfort and courage offered by those prayers of blessing. If you or someone you know would like to receive a prayer shawl, please contact a PCC member or send a request to the PCC e-mail address.
Care Partner Presentations
Two presentations were offered in the spring of 2024, which focused on the caregivers of loved ones with dementia. Links to both presentations are found below:
Community Resources
In addition to the support provided by the Pastoral Care Committee, there are community resources available to assist those in need. Please click here for a list of some of the local resources.
Two presentations were offered in the spring of 2024, which focused on the caregivers of loved ones with dementia. Links to both presentations are found below:
- Dr. Susan Wehry spoke about the “The Challenges & Gifts Unique to Dementia Caregivers”. She is a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist with almost 40 years of experience, a professor at UNE, and the director of AgingME, a Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Project to create a more age-friendly health system. To view the recording, click the link: https://c.themediacdn.com/link/http/W5s3f9/i2dTOCjscNQ/miN7zusgPdk_1
- Lori Campbell, MA, LSW, outlined the resources available to caregivers at Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging (SMAA). Lori is a licensed social worker and a Family Caregiver Resource Specialist in SMAA’s Family Caregiver Support Program. She has worked at SMAA for 34 years in a variety of capacities, supporting older adults and their family caregivers in southern Maine. To view the recorded presentation, click here: https://c.themediacdn.com/link/http/W5s3f9/i2dTOCjscNQ/OnxlzFsghfp_1
Community Resources
In addition to the support provided by the Pastoral Care Committee, there are community resources available to assist those in need. Please click here for a list of some of the local resources.
Pastoral Care Committee Members
Barbara Barhydt, Co-Chair Imelda Schaefer, Co-Chair
Paule French John Perkins Susie Peixotto
Pam Hobson Susannah White
Barbara Barhydt, Co-Chair Imelda Schaefer, Co-Chair
Paule French John Perkins Susie Peixotto
Pam Hobson Susannah White
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396 Gilman Road, Yarmouth, Maine, 04096
Church Office Phone: (207) 846-9244 Office email: [email protected] St Bart’s is a parish of the Diocese of Maine, of the Episcopal Church, a province of the Anglican Communion. |
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