We help people listen, open, and serve by providing…
- Continuing compassionate presence
- Ongoing community connection
- Relationships of support
- An opportunity to experience the giving of pastoral care as a spiritual practice
This ministry depends on the dedication and compassion of many seen and unseen individuals. Giving and receiving of care is a gift to both the giver and the receiver; it replenishes the hearts of both.
Members of the Pastoral Care Ministry assist the ministers in identifying and meeting the pastoral needs of the congregation. We offer a variety of pastoral connections to our congregants in times of joy, sorrow and transition.
Pastoral Care Team
Members of the Pastoral Care Team provide pastoral care to friends and members of our congregation in need of support. They visit at homes, hospitals, hospice, or at the corner coffee shop. They receive training and support from the ministers and team. Team members are commissioned by the congregation in a ceremony that endorses their role in serving our church community.
Caring Connection
Caring Connection volunteers put their faith in action by offering meals and rides to individuals or families in a time of crisis or transition.
Memorial Services and Receptions
Members of our congregation offer caring hospitality to grieving families by providing a simple reception of cookies, coffee, and punch following memorial services of our members. We hope to make this time of difficulty a little easier by taking care of these details.
Honoring the life of a loved one who has died is important, and even if you’re not a member of our community, our space and memorial officiants may be available. To learn more about memorial services at First Unitarian, contact us.
Support Groups
Parenting Across the Values Divide – Are you a parent or guardian struggling with parenting a child, who is also being parented in another household with different sets of limits/ rules/ values/ norms? Chris Pollack, PhD, and Sheila Schuh, DRE, CRE-L, co-facilitate this workshop in the hopes of creating a space for sharing strategies, challenges, and approaching difference with non-violence and clarity grounded in UU values.
Parenting as Spiritual Practice – A monthly offering for any parent/guardian who wishes to learn non-violent communication skills, mindfulness techniques, and how to nourish gratitude. Unitarian Universalist Principles are engaged each session through the monthly worship theme.
UU Families of Color – A casual hangout for families of RE participants who identify as non-white, including Hispanic and Latinx children and youth. Potlucks, outings, and casual meet ups provide space for connecting.
UU Family Circle Training – An annual offering for families wanting to integrate UU values more deeply into home life. Basics of equity-based communication, family circle process, mindfulness practice, and gratitude practice will be shared.
Aging Gratefully: A support group for folks 55 & older to share experiences & discuss issues related to this stage of life; we occasionally have speakers to present on health care, de-cluttering services, relationships, legacy & other relevant topics.
Education and Awareness Events
On occasion, members of the Pastoral Care Ministry bring in experts in their fields to speak on a variety of topics including navigating our changing health care system, caring for the caregiver, death and dying issues, elder abuse, and dealing with life transitions.