Pastoral Ministry & Community Building
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One of my ministries was in service as a Hospice Chaplain, during which I developed deeper skills in visiting and being present for those who are suffering and their families. I've brought these skills to pastoral care in the congregational setting, as well. Since 2003, I've also developed and led a community-based counseling practice with individuals and couples (in pre-marital, marriage, crisis, and divorce stages of relationship).
The key, in my view, is to put away the "fix it" tool belt and listen for feelings, be present, and offer a form of pastoral companionship. My pastoral style is one of non-judgmental presence, while striving to be accessible with appropriate boundaries.
As a facilitator, I've offered lay pastoral care team trainings in congregations and, in 2004, presented the keynote address: “Dying in the Living Room: Spiritual Passages of Patients and Families” at a regional Hospice Chaplain conference in Massachusetts.
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Recruiting, training, and supporting a lay pastoral team is crucial in congregations, large and small.
In my most recent Interim ministry setting, there is a strong peer-to-peer pastoral culture and the minister is less central to visiting and care. In previous ministries, I've helped create pastoral teams and programs to support day-to-day life needs (Helping Hands group) and friendly visiting (Kindred Spirits). At First Unitarian in Pittsburgh, I was proud to help establish Marion's Purse, a fund to support timely financial needs of congregants.
Community Building
Every since my tomboy days when I organized the neighborhood kids into a sandlot baseball team, I have been an enthusiastic community builder.
It shocked me when I learned that some of my colleagues didn't like coffee hour! I suppose, as an extrovert it's a part of Sunday morning I enjoy. Generally speaking, I like to have fun with the congregations I serve.
In an era of "Bowling Alone," folks come to our doors seeking a place where they can feel a sense of belonging. My approach to community building and social gatherings is to try different approaches that will appeal to different temperaments and tastes, and partner with the appropriate committees or leaders. One person may love the Chili and Chocolate cook-off I helped arrange some years ago, while others prefer the Mindfulness day and vegetarian potluck I offered a while back. The Winterfest Craft-Making day or Common Read book group may draw in one crowd, while flipping pancakes at the Blarney Breakfast, strumming in the Folk Circle, or sorting treasures for the Yard Sale would attract others. Small group ministry is effective for integrating members and enabling them to feel known and connected, and I’ve created and led a variety of small group ministry formats.
In an era of "Bowling Alone," folks come to our doors seeking a place where they can feel a sense of belonging. My approach to community building and social gatherings is to try different approaches that will appeal to different temperaments and tastes, and partner with the appropriate committees or leaders. One person may love the Chili and Chocolate cook-off I helped arrange some years ago, while others prefer the Mindfulness day and vegetarian potluck I offered a while back. The Winterfest Craft-Making day or Common Read book group may draw in one crowd, while flipping pancakes at the Blarney Breakfast, strumming in the Folk Circle, or sorting treasures for the Yard Sale would attract others. Small group ministry is effective for integrating members and enabling them to feel known and connected, and I’ve created and led a variety of small group ministry formats.
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Support/pastoral care groups for adults: Leadership of Pastoral support groups on life issue topics: • Teen Culture • Grief/Bereavement • Chronic Illness • Caregiver Fatigue • Sandwich Generation • The Challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease • Parenting Teens • Aging • The Impact of Divorce |