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Katie Snipes Lancaster

Congregational Care is a network, a web, an intentional body of support. It is how we are “the Body of Christ” called to the work of healing, prayer and tender love. There are so many people who make Congregational Care click into gear: church members, volunteers, pastors, church staff.

Here is a link to the many ministries that fall under Congregational Care, which we celebrate this week in worship. We believe we are all called to this ministry of care: we believe that you are called to this ministry of care (email me if you’d like to become more/newly involved). And, we all know that each of us, at various times in our lives are the caregiver and the care receiver. There is a mutuality, a back and forth, a reciprocity to the care ministries. Together, we embody Christ’s call to love.

After so many months apart as a congregation, we no longer just bump into one another, so we have been relying even more on individuals reaching out to say, “I’m having surgery” or “things have been hard” or “My family member is in hospice.” We rely on you to reach out.

When can you contact the church or a minister?

• When you don’t know your minister, but would like to.
• When you’re facing a problem with your job, children, parents, or life situation and seek a sympathetic ear.
• When you’ve lost your job or when you’re considering a new career.
• When you’re struggling in your relationship or marriage.
• When someone you know is interested in the church.
• When you’d like to invite a friend to church but you’re not sure how to go about it.
• When you feel ready to join Kenilworth Union as a member.
• When you’re feeling joyful and want to share your joy.
• When a child or adult in your family would like to be baptised.
• When there is an illness or hospitalization. Hospitals and nursing homes can no longer legally notify churches when you are in the hospital.
• When someone close to you has died, is critically ill, is transitioning to long term nursing care, is in hospice, facing an operation or otherwise struggling.
• When there is a wedding being planned.
• When you are moving.
• When you are making an important decision.
• When you are pregnant and glad you are or wish you weren’t, or when you would like to have children but cannot.
• When a young person goes to college or into the armed services, or when a young person comes home suddenly from college.
• When you ponder religious questions (don’t google it, call us!).