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It has been nearly seven months since I was welcomed to the staff here at St. John’s. To list all the people I’ve met and things I’ve done … there aren’t enough pages! Though I am a retired ordained Elder in the UMC, I am here as a part-time minister of Congregational Care (very part-time at 10 hours a week). A lot can happen in 10 hours – especially within a congregation of caring, willing people:
We Care – a monthly Caregivers Support Group began meeting again.
Grief Support – an eight-week Study/Support group has started and will run through August.
Ministries to the nearly 60 Homebound members of St. Johns – Live Stream is so appreciated! A number of members and UWF Circles call/visit or write cards.
Nancy Adams and Mary Chapek are eager to revive their ministry of Communion to the Homebound and they are joined by Dee Billops who offers Communion to all she visits. Nancy and Mary would be happy to train a second team of Communion servers. Is this a place you might serve?
A recent addition to our team is Lauren Morgan-Smith, a Hospice Nurse and candidate for ordination as Deacon. Lauren will work with me to stay in touch with our visitors and with several of our Homebound who don’t have a current visitor. If you’d like to be a visitor – or offer another ministry to our Homebound, let us know.
Prayer chains for the congregation at large and for the choir are powerful witnesses to God’s love and healing mercies. Then, there are Prayer Quilts and Prayer Shawls and so many behind the scenes ministries of caring!
Thank you all for wonderful phone and Sunday morning conversations, for inviting me to home and hospital visits and trusting me with Celebration of Life memorial services. I do appreciate many of you ‘re-introducing’ yourself for the second - or for the twenty-second – time! Maybe by this time next year – I can call you each by name – a goal worthy of a bit more musing!
Rev. Molly Shannon
Minister of Congregational Car
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