Pastoral Care
Are you in need of prayer? Click the button below to fill out a form with your prayer intention.
Our mission here at St. Matt’s is to restore all creation to God through Christ. We live that mission through prayer, healing, conversation, feeding, listening, and sharing in life's ups and downs. We see all things in this world as a way of God communicating and revealing God’s self to us, and we are God’s helpers in that through pastoral care.
What We Offer
-
A Eucharistic Visitor (EV) is a specially trained and licensed layperson authorized to bring consecrated communion (Eucharist) to members of the congregation who are unable to attend services, such as those who are homebound or hospitalized. The ministry involves not just physically delivering the Eucharist but also spiritually being present with the sick or infirm, offering comfort and sharing in Christ's incarnate presence with them. A Eucharistic visit can also be a clergy person upon request or need of the person.
-
A pastoral care effort within our church where members send handwritten or crafted cards to parishioners and others for encouragement, sympathy, or celebration. These ministries provide support for people experiencing illness, grief, birthdays, and holidays, operating through volunteers who write and mail cards to spread love, hope, and connection within the community.
-
Coordinated by Sue Straub and supported by our Outreach Ministry, provides home-cooked meals for members of our parish family and those connected to our parish community.
Whether you are:
Recovering from an illness or surgery
Walking through a time of grief or loss
Facing a difficult season in life
Or simply in need of a good meal and a helping hand
we are here to care for you.
If you or someone you know could benefit from a meal, please contact Sue Straub, Fr. Bruce, or the parish office, and we will gladly arrange for a meal to be delivered.
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
-
Nothing beats a simple one-to-one convo with the priest. Whether it's for pastoral counseling, spiritual guidance, concerns with the parish, questions about the direction of the church, or the pastor's sermon, it's always best to come directly to the priest. Fr. Bruce loves to hear from you and is always willing to make appointments to chat. Call the church office or email, and Lance can help schedule your next appointment.
-
When two people desire to form a lasting, lifelong partnership with each other in God’s love, they turn to marriage. Marriage is a union, an unfolding process of intentional living and growing together. In a marriage, each person as an individual and both as a couple gradually transform and mature in God’s presence and image.
Christian marriage is a sacrament— an outward and visible sign of God’s grace bringing two persons together and nurturing their love.
Marriage is a vocation, a calling to a particular vowed manner of life over the course of a lifetime. Not all people are called to marriage, but for those who are, it is to be entered into with mutual care, respect, and delight.
In the Episcopal Church, marriage preparation is a mandatory, biblically-based counseling process led by a priest or qualified counselor to prepare a couple for the spiritual and practical realities of a lifelong covenant. The program addresses theological foundations while covering key topics such as communication, finances, and family history.
If you're seeking to get married or know someone who is, please direct them to Fr. Bruce.
-
The Episcopal tradition involves documenting your healthcare wishes, making legal plans for your will and estate, and preparing for the funeral service, which can include contacting your priest to help align it with the church's practices and traditions. The Episcopal Church emphasizes planning for the end of life as a sacred responsibility, encouraging individuals to express their values and ensure their final arrangements reflect their faith and values, providing peace of mind for both the individual and their loved ones.
For more information specifically about funeral or memorial Masses, please contact the office.
-
It usually includes a time of prayer, followed by an informal conversation to build community and share the love of Christ. These visits are often done by the priest but can be done by lay persons. They may include house blessings, animal blessings, and more.
Chair: Fr. Bruce
Co-Chairs: Wendy C. & Lisa D.
Team members
Jodi M. and Christina S.- Card Ministry
Jackie D. and Lee W.- Eucharistic Visitors
Sue S. - Dinners
Laurel- Outreach connection
Deb L. and Dawn S- Prayer List Team
If you're interested in any of our pastoral care services, please fill out the form here. As we grow and discern more, the services we offer also grow. So always ask if you don’t see something on our list.
Let us walk with you.