Introducing Care Ministry

Trinity has a long history of lay-people reaching out to connect with members of the congregation that can no longer attend on a regular basis for a variety of reasons. This is one way that we embody Trinity’s mission: “We are called to share God’s healing love through Christ’s forgiveness and our personal servanthood.” We reach out to serve the spiritual, emotional, social, physical, and mental needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The way we accomplish this has evolved over the years to meet changing needs. Due to staff changes and shortages, we feel it is time to reevaluate the visitation ministry and allow it to grow and shift to meet the needs of our current times. 

Observations 

· Since the pandemic, more people are watching worship online or listening to KCMR and taking communion along with the congregation at home.  

· With the addition of online worship, we have more members who live out of state. Some are new members, and some are long-time members who have chosen to not transfer their membership. 

· God’s Squad and Home Communion Visitation were under two different leaders with different organizational structures and expectations. Now they are under one and need consistency. 

Proposed changes 

· Restructure God’s Squad and Home Communion Visitation under one umbrella with one name, “Care Ministry,” and one organizational structure. 

· Allow more flexibility for volunteers and those receiving visits in order to respect people’s changing needs and desires.  

· Add monthly postcards as a way to stay connected with Trinity for those who do not have a phone or prefer this way of being remembered.  

· Send volunteers to visit people recovering in facilities for rehab or skilled care, including West Campus.  

· Get volunteers to help deliver meals (already prepared & often frozen) to members in need. 

We invite you to learn more about Trinity’s Care Ministry at training on Wednesday, February 28, at 2:30 PM or 7:15 PM (Choose one class.) New and current visitation volunteers are welcome. Please contact me or one of our pastors for more information at becky.elsbernd@trinity-mc.org. To learn more about these events, please visit our EVENTS page.

– Parish Nurse, Becky Elsbernd