Pastoral Care

Lay Pastoral Care Ministers 

The mission is to care for our parishioners.  This group visits hospitalized members and those in care centers and tries to follow up on them.  Phone calls are made to those who rarely attend church but wish to stay in touch.  Our group of Pastoral Care Ministers, Sharon Mather, Maureen Haskell, Jim Bechtold, Raph Martin, Gayle Flores, Margy Hunter, and Bruce & Carol Dockter assist in this ministry.  Sunday mornings they provide healing blessings and prayers following communion.
Leader: Rev. Beverley Rader

Brotherhood of St. Andrew 

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is a worldwide ministry with over 4,000 members in 357 chapters in the United States alone. The newly chartered chapter at Advent meets the second Tuesday of the month at 8:30 am in Dibbs Hall and via zoom. Our mission is to gather in prayer for the spread of Christ’s Kingdom among men and youth, to study the Holy Scriptures and the teachings of the church, and to bring others nearer to Christ through outreach in the community. All men of Advent and the surrounding community are welcome to join. 
Leader: Bruce Dockter

Daughters of the King 

 A lay order of Episcopal women who have taken a lifetime vow to follow Christ by daily prayer, service, and evangelism.  Each Daughter decides how she will meet her vows.  We lead the Stations of the Cross during Lent as one of our services and assist the Priest as needed. 
Leader: Gayle Flores

Walking the Mourner’s Path

This Ministry is designed to give persons the space and the tools to heal from grief over the loss of a loved one. The program consists of two eight-week sessions and each session is limited to ten participants.
Leader: Sharon Mather

Telecare

The TeleCare Ministry is a layperson Phone Ministry that provides support to members of our church family, telling that person we care, asking for any prayer requests they might have, and then praying with them.  Calls are made on behalf of the pastoral staff and enable the Rector to become aware of any changes in a parishioner’s well-being.  The call ends with a reminder that God loves you and we at Advent Episcopal Church love you, too.  If being part of a telephone ministry team sounds like a possibility, TeleCare may be right for you.
Leader: Malinda Case

Celebration of Life

A trained bereavement person takes the family of the deceased through funeral arrangements regarding burial, special scripture, music and flowers.  Their wishes for a reception are passed on to the Reception Committee who prepare Paine Hall for a reception.
We provide a reception after funerals/memorial services if the family of the deceased wishes one.  The committee bakes cookies and serves coffee and iced tea.   A more elaborate reception with sandwiches is financed by the family.  Anyone is invited to participate by either baking or helping set up the day before or the day of the reception.
Leaders: Gaye Wooldridge & Arlene Arnold

Parish Nursing and Health

The physical health of our parishioners is the primary focus of the parish nurse. The nurse cares for attendees during services and church activities and, if appropriate, calls in necessary help [i.e.911]. The nurse also assures that necessary emergency medical equipment [AED] and supplies are available. 
Leader: Pat Carroll

Advent Card Ministry

Members of the Advent Church Card ministry meet on the last Monday of each month at 10 AM in the Conference Room. The members address birthday and anniversary cards to be mailed to parishioners celebrating these dates in the coming month. Thinking of you and sympathy cards are also sent out when needed.
Leader: Dotty Eubank