by Linda Schoene and Beverly Davis
Caring for one another is a priority for the members of Christ the King Lutheran Church, as evidenced by the creation of the Congregational Care Team in 1997. The Congregational Care Team was designed to provide support and to complement resources available to members through their families, friends and larger community. Ideally, the Care Team matches congregational resources with specific needs in the congregation to the extent we are able. To this end, the Care Team is divided into service areas: home emergency response, emergency phone tree, meals, transportation, prayer notes, bereavement and visiting/phoning. Members choose to serve in the area that best fits their talents. For example, someone who loves to cook (or who loves to pick up prepared food from the deli) would enjoy participating on the meals committee; someone who loves sending cards would appreciate being a part of the prayer notes committee, etc. Anyone participating in these acts of giving plays a vital role in the health ministry of Christ the King Lutheran Church.
In order to deepen and strengthen our congregational care giving, Christ the King Lutheran Church became a Community of Hope lay chaplain training center in 2003. The Community of Hope equips individuals to provide a caring presence to both members of Christ the King Lutheran Church and individuals in the community at large. In addition, Community of Hope provides ongoing training, debriefing and opportunities for individuals to grow in their care giving role, as well as to facilitate their own spiritual growth. Both our Congregational Care Team and our Community of Hope lay chaplains embrace Christ the King Lutheran Church’s missional emphasis to “cultivate a culture of Christian hospitality”.
While one role of health ministry is to educate and provide support in the event of a health challenge or crisis, health ministry also seeks to find ways to support the caregiver. Caregivers need both the tools to be an effective, compassionate presence and access to resources that nourish the caregiver. To this end, the Care Team and COH will partner from time to time to provide offerings to support caregivers. On May 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the basement classroom, Naomi Nelson will lead us in a discussion focused on communicating with individuals experiencing memory and language challenges. Understanding these challenges will lead to more effective, sensitive conversations.
On June 26, Vicki Bradley will present “Keeping Your Well Full” and share insight into how to keep our own wells full as we care for others. We will meet at 6:00 p.m. for a salad supper and fellowship. All interested individuals are welcome at both events.
In addition, look for the Care Team story board during May. See how the team works together to create an atmosphere of caring and support and explore where you might want to serve.