Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care at Church of the Holy Spirit includes our Lay Pastoral Care and Health & Wellness Ministries. Attending to the human needs of one another is foundational in our community. Whether to people experiencing trauma or crisis, suffering from illness, facing a transition, or embracing the sacred moments at the time of dying, the compassion embodied in Jesus is realized by members of Christ’s Church. Our Lay Pastoral Care and Health & Wellness Ministry teams recognize the many ways in which individuals and families need to be assured of God’s love and presence. New ministries are created in response to the needs of the parish and local community.

Our Health and Wellness Ministry recognizes the link between mind, body and spirit, offering diverse programs that seek to integrate and support these aspects of human need. Whether it be through the ministrations of our Faith Community Nurse, health education organized by our Health Ministry Team, Reiki, Yoga, or T’ai Chi, we recognize that people come to the church seeking health and wholeness in all parts of their lives.

The Lay Pastoral Care Ministry serves the physical, educational, spiritual and emotional needs of the parish members through a caring, compassionate and informed ministry. These efforts intend to reflect and manifest God’s love and compassion for others as instructed by Jesus Christ.

  • Our Eucharistic Visitors are blessed to share the sacrament of Communion and Christ’s Spirit with COHS members who cannot make it to Sunday services for health or other reasons. We are also blessed to share their journey in difficult times. Eucharistic visitors receive special training by the Rector and are licensed by the Bishop.

  • This ministry matches trained volunteers to our COHS members who can no longer make it in to church on Sunday or are otherwise limited in their participation in the many activities of our church community. This is a great way for our members to stay connected with us, and us with them.

  • This ministry provides meals to members during times of need, including illness, crisis, and in times of joy such as the birth of a new baby!

  • Meets one Saturday each month, 10:30 AM-12:00 PM.

    Started in 2005, this wonderful ministry has knitted and crocheted over 400 shawls for those experiencing illness, difficulty, or celebrating a life event. If you want to make a prayer shawl for someone you know, please join us. We have knitters and crocheters who will be pleased to help get you started. New members are always welcome to drop in or learn. It is not necessary to always attend meetings, and you are welcome to create at home and bring your shawls in for blessing.

    Contact the COHS office to request a prayer shawl for yourself or someone else.

  • The Hands-on Healing Ministry is a joint venture of the Pastoral Care – Health and Wellness Ministry and the Adult Christian Formation Ministries. The type of hands-on healing that we practice is called Reiki. Trained practitioners lay their hands on or above on different points of the body to reduce stress, and instill relaxation. The popularity of Reiki is growing and many Christians have begun to practice it. Because Reiki’s healing technique is similar to what Jesus practiced, they have found it useful to express compassion toward others and relieve suffering at the same time that it creates a closer connection for them to God.

    Members join the intercessors at the font on Sundays and at healing services throughout the year. They are available to visit COHS members in the hospital, or who are shut-ins their homes.

  • A group of more than 40 people prays daily for people suffering from illness, crisis, or other life challenges. Any member of the church may add a person to the prayer list for prayers and, often, a card offering support.

    Contact the COHS office‍ ‍if prayers are needed.