The people of First United care for one another in many ways; however, there are three structured means—Elders, the Pastoral Care Team, and the Healing Touch Ministry. For more information on any of these ministries, please contact our
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What is Eldering at First United? The eldering ministry at First United is one of the formal ways we provide care for each other, strengthen individual relationships, and build community. Elders are people active in the congregation who are willing to offer caring support to a small number of people assigned to them. They do this by: - Offering to be a link with other individuals and groups in the congregation;
- Informing the newcomers, and others, about church matters, special activities, and opportunities to share their own gifts;
- Initiating conversation regularly, and particularly after noticing someone may be going though a hard time in their lives;
- Lending a friendly ear and a caring heart; and
- Suggesting other people or groups at First United that might provide information or offer guidance; for instance, the ministers, the pastoral care team, the leaders of adult education workshops or other ministries.
Simply put, the ministry of eldering involves connecting, informing, and journeying with others in our First United family. For more information on Elders at First, click this link. Pastoral Care Team Our Pastoral Care Team Team provides a ministry of listening, compassion, and action. Team members, particularly our two ministers, visit people in their home, in hospital, or at care facilities. Many people--particularly those with serious illness, deaths in the family, and stress-related crises--welcome this caring which is offered both practically and spiritually. In addition, dozens of cards of sympathy and cheer are sent. The Team ensures that pastoral concerns are included (with permission, of course) in Prayers of the People. As well, the Team’s leaders liaise with leaders of the Eldering program, and they create, facilitate, or liaise with small support groups. At times, Healing Circles or Circles of Caring are formed around particular individuals who would benefit from additional support. Healing Pathway Practice Within the congregation, there are a number of people who have been trained in Healing Pathway Practice, one mode of what is sometimes called “healing touch”. Healing touch is one form of the ancient art of “hands-on-healing” that is portrayed in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian New Testament. The Healing Pathway practice prayerfully channels spiritually-focused energy and healing intentions through the practitioner and does not actually involve touching. People receiving this “healing energy” on a massage table, in a chair or in a hospital bed welcome physical relaxation, relief from pain, symptoms or stress. The practice is also a wonderful form of self-care. |
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Caring at First 
