Congregational Care
“God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4: 7- 11

Care-giving has been a part of the ministry at CCRC from the very beginning.
It took its current form as Congregational Care in 1994 with two subcommittees: Samaritan Care charged to minister to the congregation in acute or chronic needs such as meals, transportation, funeral receptions, and Stephen Ministry charged to minister in a long-term one-on-one ministry to individuals.

Samaritan Care
Samaritan Care is a quiet ministry; members work behind the scenes offering love and support in many ways.

Notes of Support and Encouragement
Committee members write monthly notes of support and encouragement to members who are experiencing difficulties or illness.

Meals
Meals are offered to CCRC members during illness, after hospitalization or other crises.

Transportation
Transportation is offered to and from church, church functions and medical appointments. To request transportation, please contact one of the Ministers, the Pastoral Care Associate, or Samaritan Care Chair.

Visitation
Samaritan Care members are available for visits in homes, hospitals and nursing homes. Some visits are during and after illness and hospitalization, others are longer term “friendly” visits.

Memorial/Funeral Reception
Receptions are organized and hosted by members of Samaritan Care but all members of CCRC are invited to participate in the preparation of food. Receptions can be held at the church or in a private home. A member of the committee is also available to house sit during the time of the service, reception and/or burial.

Prayer Tree
The Prayer Tree Ministry is a subcommittee of Samaritan Care and one of our original caring ministries. Its primary use is for intercessory prayer on behalf of all members and their families. The committee updates the prayer tree list twice each year. Contact can be via telephone or email. When you wish to request prayer, please call the church office (371-7654) or the Prayer Tree Coordinator. To be added or removed from the prayer tree, please contact the Prayer Tree Coordinator.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
Prayer Shawl Ministry is a recent addition to our caring ministry (2005). The purpose of knitting or crocheting a Prayer Shawl is to weave good thoughts and prayers of healing, hope and love into the piece so it will comfort and warm the recipient. The shawls are a visible symbol of God’s loving arms holding us and reassuring us in times of need. Members meet monthly in the morning and an evening group meets three times a year to work and pray together. To request a prayer shawl, please contact one of the pastors or Pastoral Care Associate. To join the ministry, please contact the Prayer Shawl Ministry Coordinator.

Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry equips gifted lay people to provide confidential, one-on-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. A Stephen Minister receives 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care – listening, praying, supporting and encouraging. New classes are scheduled on an ongoing basis. Watch for announcements. To request a Stephen Minister, please speak with one of the pastors or Stephen Minister Coordinator.

Pastoral Care Associate
This ministry was started in 2006 and focuses on nurturing the spiritual well being of the congregation. The Pastoral Care Associate works collaboratively with the ministers, providing care to the ill, shut-in, bereaved, elderly, lonely or depressed, those in spiritual crisis and new members. In addition, the associate leads support groups with specific needs.

The Pastoral Care Associate is a liaison with Samaritan Care and co-ordinates Stephen Ministry. Working with the Stephen Ministry leaders the associate teaches the training course required of new ministers and leads the monthly educational meetings of commissioned ministers.

To contact the Pastoral Care Associate, please contact the church or the associate’s home via e-mail or telephone.