Pastoral Care
CARING FOR THOSE IN NEED
We are here for you. We all encounter events in our lives in which we need to lean on the support and encouragement of others. Our Pastoral Care Ministry has trained pastoral carers to support people in their pain, loss and anxiety, and their triumphs, joys and victories. Please reach out to us or share with us someone you know who may need pastoral care.
Discovering Your Motivational Spiritual Gifts
Discernment is faithful living and listening to God's love and direction so that we can fulfill our individual calling and shared mission. Henri Nouwen
Our Lenten lectures have encouraged us to center on the idea of how Holy Scripture encourages us to seek out and respond to the callings of God in our lives. We are all commissioned. We are all called and each purpose is unique. As we move out of Lent into the light of resurrection and new life, we are encouraged to identify our spiritual gifts and discern how they can best be used in our community and the world. To help in this process, we are providing a link to the Spiritual Gifts Assessment from the Invite, Welcome, Connect website which you can print. Please commit some time to this assessment with honest thought and answers to help identify your own gifts and talents. Next, read through the Identification List for a deeper understanding of your gifts along with ways those gifts can be used in our community. This time of reflection and discernment will engage us in a process of understanding God’s vision and purpose for our daily lives and for the next 130 years on the corner of 12th and 19th.
Please contact Cindy Wiley at 205-774-2442 or
cindy@stmarysoth.org to find out more about discerning your gift or ideas on how to engage those gifts in our community.
List of Services
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Spiritual DirectionList Item 1
Spiritual Direction is the Christian practice where one person seeks spiritual guidance and support from a trained and gifted listener. To learn more about spiritual direction and accompaniment, contact Cindy Wiley.
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Centering PrayerList Item 2
Centering Prayer is an ancient Christian form of silent prayer that is ideal for these pandemic times. St. Mary’s Centering Prayer group meets each Tuesday morning at 11:30 am. The group meets in a hybrid format. If you want to attend in person, please come to the new chapel at St. Mary’s. The chapel is on the 3rd floor of the Drennen House directly across from the elevator and stairs. For information and Zoom link, contact John Kennedy.
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Prayer ListList Item 3
Contact Cissy Hartz to add yourself or a loved one to our parish prayer list or to receive a copy of the prayer list.
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Daughters of the King® at St. Mary’s
The Order of the Daughters of the King® (DOK) is a spiritual sisterhood of women dedicated to a life of Prayer, Service and Evangelism. We have made a commitment to Jesus as our Savior, and we follow Him as Lord of our lives. We are an Order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church, churches in communion with it, or churches in the Historic Episcopate. Today our membership includes women in the Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA) and Roman Catholic churches.
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Pastoral Care Ministries
We would like to add your name to a list of pastoral caregivers whom the church regularly contacts to respond to parishioner needs, including telephone calls, emails, meals, prayers, cards, transportation, and visits. You will also choose to participate in regular pastoral care meetings. To learn more about all of St. Mary’s caring ministries, speak with vestry member Emily Rushing or Cindy Wiley. To be added to a list of caregivers or to express a personal need, contact Cissy Hartz in the parish office.
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The Guild of the Christ Child
Designed to welcome our youngest members, the Guild of the Christ Child visits families with newborns. On behalf of the entire parish, the Guild offers a small present for the child and a dinner for the family.
Need more info?
Peace be with you.
