The Pastoral Care Ministry at Southwood is comprised of everyone in the congregation as we all respond to one another's needs in a caring and meaningful way. Many individuals provide leadership in a number of areas related to Pastoral Care. Those include:
Friendly Visitors: These individuals give their time to contact and visit those who are home bound or experiencing a difficult time. Training and support is provided.
Card Ministry: Ann Chikinda coordinates this ministry where cards are sent to people as major events occur in their lives. Many people assist with this ministry. On behalf of the congregation, Phyllis Smith sends cards to every person residing at Murdoch Manor. The UCW also sends cards to their members and others in the church.
Casserole Ministry: Beth Wilson provides leadership for this ministry which collects homemade casseroles and sweets frozen for distribution to those who are dealing with crises and have little time for preparing meals.
Coping and Caring: Joanne McNair offers this program the second Monday of each month at 10:00 am, for those who are providing home care for family or friends.
Funeral Assistants: Tara Striemer coordinates this group which comes in on the day of a funeral and prepares the sanctuary and other spaces to provide the most caring environment possible for families and friends who have lost a loved one.
Care Zones: The Co-Chairs of the Care Zone initiative are Leslie Giacomelli and Judi Meyers
Care Zone Mandate - to help create and support a caring community within Southwood United Church by building connection through the quarterly distribution of the newsletter and personal phone contact to all families and individuals of the congregation.
Throughout 2006, the Care Zone network of volunteers embraced its mission by delivering four newsletters (February, May, September and December) and placing follow-up phone calls. When people needed visits or required answers we could not address, we passed their needs to our Pastoral Care Coordinator for follow-up. Approximately 384 families/individuals receive personal contact through the Care Zone activities.
The Care Zone ministry consists of six coordinators, 38 contact people for a total involvement of 44 congregation members. Southwood United is blessed to have a strong group of dedicated people, many who have been involved for well over 10 years; and are ever grateful for their remarkable service to the church community.