Support Groups Available at Trinity-by-the-Cove
Bear one another's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Two components are necessary for pastoral care to be effective. On one hand, it takes givers like Stephen Ministers who provide Christian love, understanding and support on a one-on-one basis for those experiencing challenging adjustments including major life decisions, moving, death of a loved one, depression or birth of a child. Successful ministry requires the intensive training for those who give care.
The other component for successful pastoral care ministry is having Trinitarians who are willing to say, “I need someone to listen so I can sort through my problem.” Henri Nouwen says it well,
“To receive help, support, guidance, affection and care may well be a greater call than giving of all these things
because in receiving I reveal the gift to the givers and a new life together can begin.”
Anyone wishing to become a Stephen Minister must take part in an intensive training program consisting of 50 hours of training taught by trained Stephen leaders and the clergy. Some of the topics covered include confidentiality, listening, boundaries, ministering to those experiencing grief, depression, hospitalization and other topics.
Becoming a Stephen Minister requires a two year commitment following the fifty hours of training, and as an active Stephen Minister, bi-monthly peer supervision sessions to receive support and guidance in addition to meeting once a week with the care receiver. If you would like to know more about Stephen Ministry or know someone who is in need of a Stephen Minister, call any member of the clergy.
ORDER OF ST. LUKE HEALING MINISTRY
...and He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
Luke 9:2
Healing Service
Members of the Order of St. Luke sponsor The Holy Eucharist with healing prayers and Unction on the second Thursday at Noon each month.
Prayer following Holy Eucharist
Trinity-by-the-Cove, like many other parishes, has revived the early church practice in which baptized Christians are empowered to practice healing of mind, body and spirit in Christ’s name. Following the 9:00 and 11:15 worship services, lay teams offer healing prayer in All Souls Chapel in the west churchyard.
The lay prayer partners are either trained members of the International Order of St. Luke or are specifically trained as prayer partners for this ministry. Two prayer partners pray with and for the individual. The members of the prayer team have been invited to perform this ministry by a member of the clergy.
Private healing prayer
There are times when life’s events cause pain and keep us from moving forward in areas of our life. Previous experiences may prevent us from growing in wholeness of mind, body or spirit. For these situations, individual prayer is available. Contact Mother Alice to set aside time for prayer.
LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS (LEVs)
The Gifts of God for the People of God
The Book of Common Prayer
What's in that little black box anyway? We see Lay Eucharistic Visitors take the sacrament immediately from a service of The Holy Eucharist to parishioners in private homes, retirements centers and hospitals. In this way, parishioners who are unable to be at worship services for an extended period of time are included in our parish life. This ministry combines a belief in the church as a community with an awareness of the importance of the Eucharist and the lives of individuals. Lay Eucharistic Visitors are trained in the administration of the Holy Communion and are licensed by the bishop of the Diocese.
If you would like a monthly visit from a Lay Eucharistic Visitor or would like to be trained as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor, contact Mother Alice, 239-262-6581 ext 206 or email asadler@trinitybythecove.com.
For His Sake…I am but one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something
What I can do, I ought to do.
What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.
Lord, what will you have me do?
Motto of The Daughters of the King
The Daughters of the King is an order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church, or churches in communion with it, or churches who are in the Historic Episcopate. Members undertake a Rule of Life, incorporating the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service. By reaffirmation of the promises made at Confirmation, a Daughter pledges herself to a life-long program of prayer, service and evangelism, dedicated to the spread of Christ's Kingdom and the strengthening of the spiritual life of her parish. In May of 2006, the Women of Wisdom Chapter of the Daughters of the King was chartered at Trinity-by-the-Cove. The members sponsor an Advent and/or Lenten Quite Day each year. They commit to praying for the spiritual growth of our parish, for the youth and other issues related to the parish. The members send birthday cards to the children and youth up to age 18.
QUIET DAY 2011
Wednesday, November 30
9:30 am - 1:00 pm
The Rev. Mary Busse, a priest in the Diocese of Florida will lead us in our morning of quiet. She has done theological study at General Seminary, NYC; Virginia Seminary, Alexandria; St. George’s College, Jerusalem; Canterbury Cathedral (Duke Divinity), England; and Oxford University, England.
You will be blessed by Mary’s vibrant and yet serene personality. She is a special treat for those who hear her. For many years, Mary has been engaged in the ministry of Retreats, Quiet Days and Spiritual Direction. She presently serves at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Jacksonville.
Our time together will begin with the regular Wednesday morning Eucharist at 9:30 in the church. Mary’s homily will be the beginning of our reflection time. There will be three talks followed by quiet reflection and meditation. If you have need for childcare, please indicate your need on the reservation roster in the parish hall.
TRINITY WELLNESS COMMITTEE
At Trinity-by-the-Cove, healing of mind, body and spirit is the focus of our pastoral care ministries. Spiritual and emotional needs are met in prayer and counseling through The Holy Eucharist with healing prayers and Unction each month, Intercessors, Order of St. Luke, Stephen Ministry and Lay Eucharistic Visitors. In 2008, the Pastoral Care Commission expanded to offer a parish nursing program. Rather than hiring a parish nurse, we hope to meet the needs of Trinitarians using the skills of nurses within the parish. While many Trinitarians are well cared for at progressive living centers, others stay at home and may or may not have family members nearby to oversee their needs and care. The parish nursing coordinator will work closely with the Associate Rector for Pastoral Care and the Pastoral Care Commission.
It is important to understand what the program supports. Parish nursing is not hands-on nursing. So what is it?
Wellness Programs
- Blood pressure checks
- Write articles for the Trinitarian
- Offer screening for diabetes, cancer, strokes, etc.
- Work with community services to serve as a site for flu shots or immunization clinics
- Private consultation regarding health issues
- Group education for various health issues
Referral and Advocacy
- Coordinate plan of care following discharge from hospital/nursing home
- Contact physician’s office for individuals that need assistance
- Guide persons to use existing community resources
- Act as a spokesperson for when an individual cannot act on his/her own behalf
- Meet with families to plan care of a parishioner
Visitation
- Make home, hospital, nursing home visits to monitor health status, provide emotional support, encourage compliance with medical treatment, and recommend community services
- Stay with patient during surgery if family is unavailable or with the family
Facilitate Lay Ministries
- Coordinate volunteers to assist with various programs and needs of individuals
- Provide transportation (for males – Men of Trinity)
- Pick up prescriptions
- Prepare meals
- Provide respite care for family caregiver
- Work with the Pastoral Care Commission to meet the needs of the parish
While confidentiality is primary in the program, documentation and communication to coordinate services are also essential. Watch for more information in the monthly Trinitarians.
Members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry continue their ministry of prayer and action. As the shawls and scarves are knitted, the stitches are knit in groups of three…to represent the Trinity. The shawls and scarves are blessed by the prayers, hands and intentions of the knitter. The knitters present them at the monthly healing service to be blessed at the altar of Trinity-by-the-Cove. Those who receive them can feel the love and prayers of the knitters as they wrap themselves in God’s love through the shawls. Heartfelt thank you notes are often written to the Prayer Shawl Knitters.
Contact Person: POSITION OPEN
Approximately forty meals were delivered this past year by Meals-to-Go. This ministry is provided by Trinitarians who volunteer to prepare, freeze, and deliver meals to families or individuals within the parish at times of need. The situations vary from a family member coming home from the hospital, to the birth of a baby or to a time of family crisis. Meals-to-Go provides a way of communicating love and care to families in need of being touched by kindness from our church family. A meal is provided, but the real ministry is sharing the love of God.
CAREGIVERS' SUPPORT GROUP
In a family where a person has a serious illness, it is key for the primary caregiver to have support and an outlet for dealing with their own thoughts and feelings. The purpose of this group is to provide a safe and confidential place for the caregiver to get in touch with their feelings and be accountable for caring for themselves in order to care for their loved one. Meetings are in the library on the first and third Thursday at 2:00 p.m. For more information on current meetings, please click HERE.
The Cancer Support Group is for anyone diagnosed with cancer of any type whether in treatment, in remission or cured. Understanding that mind, body and spirit are linked; the goal of our time together is to strengthen our spiritual lives. Coming together once a month for an hour, the group discusses materials we have read in the last month and pray for one another. The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 2:30 in the library.
Grief is a part of life when we experience the death of a loved one. Whether a parent, sibling, child or close friend; we need to mourn in a healthy way. It is healthy to talk about our loved one; remember the good and the bad and listen to others tell their story. If we try to keep a stiff upper lip and force ourselves back into life without healthy grieving; our bodies, minds and spirits may pay the consequences. The length of our time together depends on the number of people participating. The group meets Monday's from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.. The first Monday of the month, the group meets off-site for lunch at Noon. Please contact Ellen to reserve your spot.
We will learn ways to honor your loved one, seek spiritual direction and discover Jesus’ promises and comfort. As a participant you are not required to share, but are given the opportunity in a safe environment to express as little or as much as you need.
MINISTRY OF MEALS
Contact Person: POSITION OPEN
There are times in the lives of all of us when a tasty meal, prepared by someone else, speaks to us of God's love in a way that nothing else can. Those times are usually when we are sick, recovering, weak, unable to be mobile, or grieved.
As Christians, when our hearts reach out to another and we so desire to ease the situation, it is often in the most ordinary ways that we can bring comfort. Namely, by helping with meals.
Over the past months, a number of situations have arisen in the parish where we were able to be helpful by bringing in meals. The format has been loose. Parish members have been contacted and asked if they would provide and deliver a meal on one particular evening to the parishioner in need. Generally, meals have been provided to families for three to seven days, often every other day. The willing responses by Trinitarians has been 100%. To observe this love in action has been a privilege.
The need to become a bit better organized is apparent and we are seeking your help. It would be helpful to have individuals who would be willing to make calls (when a need arises) to ask parishioners to provide and deliver a meal. Once the schedule is arranged, the recipient of the meals would be contacted with the names and days of those who will be delivering. It is our hope to have a number of such individuals so that this effort would be spread out. The referrals for those in need of meals comes through the clergy. Generally speaking, there might be one need a month, sometimes less.
Meals-To-Go (which is a ministry of preparing and freezing main courses to be available to parishioners in times of need) will continue as a supplement to the Ministry of Meals. For several years, Meals-To-Go has been a means of expressing God's love and has been deeply appreciated by recipients. It is our hope that the new plan will further provide help and comfort at times of need. Cookers and deliverers are needed for this ministry
What is it?