Pastoral care is, instead, [...]]]> First UCC has a very active pastoral care ministry of which some of you may be unaware. The reason for this is that most people don’t really experience pastoral care until or unless there is an illness or hardship. Others may assume that pastoral care is only for our elderly members.

Pastoral care is, instead, something we each do for one another. Supporting a loved one or friend through a difficult time, greeting one another, inviting someone for coffee or offering hospitality in any way, or reaching out to someone who seems alone or troubled are all ways we provide pastoral care.

In this church, pastoral care is also provided by the pastoral care associate who is on staff, the Congregational Care Council, and pastoral volunteers. We are able to provide short-term meals, rides, and visits to members who are experiencing difficulty in their lives. The Congregational Care Council supports the volunteers, works closely with the Pastoral Care Associate, and also provides several events during the year. These include :  (1.) The annual Strawberry Festival….a festival of fresh berries, cake and whipped cream, music and fellowship, (2) The holiday luncheon at Northfield Retirement Center—-a holiday meal for our members who reside at NRC. The fun part of this meal is that volunteers provide each of the special guests with his/her favorite food. The menu is often quite “eclectic” but definitely fun. (3) The Longest Night service. This is a beautiful service of music, readings, and prayer. It recognizes that sometimes sadness, grief, and isolation may sharply contrast with the festivity of the season. It is always held on December 21, the “longest night” of the year. 

The prayer shawl knitters create beautiful prayer shawls that we give to those experiencing pain or sadness. These beautiful shawls remind the recipient that he/she is surrounded by the love and prayers of those who prayed as they knit.

There is also a Prayer Chain at First UCC. This is a group of members who offer to pray for people who are in need. If you wish to place someone on the prayer chain, call Cathy, and she will notify the Prayer Chain members. If desired, this can be an anonymous request.

The Pastoral Care Associate and the pastor make visits to those who are shut ins, those who are in hospitals, or those who request a visit. In addition pastoral counseling is also offered by both Rev. Sandy and Cathy.

Cathy is also involved in the Northfield Grief Coalition and co-facilitates a grief group each spring with the pastoral minister from Bethel Lutheran Church.

Pastoral care is not a highly- visible ministry. Many of the issues involved in this ministry are confidential by nature. And, many of the people who receive pastoral care are not always that visible because they may be unable to fully participate in regular church services or groups. So, even though it is not always a highly-publicized area in the church, it is a busy ministry.

If you or a loved one is in need of pastoral care, please contact Rev. Sandy or Cathy at the church. Also, please let us know if you or a loved one is hospitalized and would like a pastoral visit.

We must “care for one another”. Please help us do that.

Praying [...]]]> This prayer was thoughtfully written by the children in the grades 4, 5 and 6 Sunday school class who participated with Feed My Starving Children, last fall.  In response to the tragedy befalling the people of Haiti, they have made bean soup mix to sell to our congregation with the proceeds going to relief efforts.

Praying for the World

God of all people and places,

We know that you care about all that is wrong in our world.

Therefore, we pray for all the people who have suffered

Losses from the earthquake in Haiti.

We also pray for those who are helping them.

Jesus teaches us of your love.  Help us to make a difference

By giving what we can to the people of Haiti,

and helping them to know that you are with them.

Help us to show your healing love through giving and loving,

Helping those who are hurt,

And working at Feed My Starving Children. 

Amen.

For more details, and a link to make donations online, click here.

This spring, Church World Service and its members will host a four-week ecumenical work project in New Orleans.  In partnership with the Crescent Area Recovery Effort, we hope to help 12 [...]]]> The long process of recovery from Hurricane Katrina continues, and in places like the New Orleans neighborhood of Little Woods, much more help is needed.

This spring, Church World Service and its members will host a four-week ecumenical work project in New Orleans.  In partnership with the Crescent Area Recovery Effort, we hope to help 12 more families return home.

Join us as we show the world how people of faith, working side-by-side , can make great things happen for our neighbors in need.

Volunteer groups will arrive on Sunday, begin work on Monday and leave for home on Saturday.  The weeks of the project are:

Sunday, April 19-Saturday, April 25     
Sunday, April 26-Saturday, May 2
Sunday, May 3-Saturday, May 9
Sunday, May 10-Saturday, May 16

Interested?  Contact Florence Coppola, Executive for National Disaster Ministries, via email at coppolaf@ucc.org.  Join us in this celebration of hope!

I learned about Quilts of Valor at Quilt Yourself, a studio in Savage where I learned to use a [...]]]> For the last year, I have volunteered my time to help make Quilts of Valor — quilts that are presented to members of the military who are returning home with wounds to body, mind or spirit.

I learned about Quilts of Valor at Quilt Yourself, a studio in Savage where I learned to use a computer-assisted long-arm quilting machine.  Like many of their customers, I volunteered to use my new skills to help.

A quick quilt primer:  a quilt is a sandwich — the top layer is the pretty part, then comes filling called batting, then a backing which is usually plain.  The actual quilting is the stitching that holds the three layers together.  A long-armed quilting machine makes that easier, and also makes it possible to stitch beautiful designs to enhance the pattern on the top.

I knew I would enjoy the process of quilting; what surprised me was how moving it has been to be part of this grass-roots effort to provide a measure of healing to the women and men whose lives have been forever changed by their military service. 

On Sunday, I shared some of the QOV’s I have worked on with church folks at “PS” — which stands for ‘Post Service with Pastor Sandy.”  There were lots of stories of how quilts, prayer shawls, and other similar gifts have been profoundly healing for people in need.  I hope these quilts will be, too.