Pastoral Care Committee
In an effort to better support the pastoral needs of the parish, I want to reorganize the system of delivery and response. We are creating a broader umbrella of needs called the Pastoral Care Committee. The Care Committee will be one part of that. Memory Zittrouer will remain the contact person for the Care Committee, who in turn will contact the teams to supply food in times of crisis and grief. The two deacons-in-training, Terri Degenhardt and Jim McDonald, will be the contact people for pastoral needs, including prayer requests, visiting shut-ins, hospital visitation, and home communion, etc. It is important in their training, and their formation in the servant role as deacon to experience all areas of need. Rev. Kit will have an active role in overseeing the process, making pastoral calls and coordinating our efforts. Pastoral care also includes disseminating intercessory prayer needs, so that others can pray for the needs of fellow parishioners. Someone once said, “A joy shared is doubled and a sorrow shared is halved.” Efforts will be made to be general in requesting prayers to keep the specific and private parts of our lives from public view. Such as, please pray for Kit who is going through a difficult time (not really). We find that it is important to provide more focused, specific responses for faster and more effective availability. Our desire is to be a pastoral presence for St. Michael’s I know from my own experience in both receiving and giving care, just how important a pastoral presence can be. My desire is to continue to reinforce our connectedness in the Body of Christ. We are one family, and we are one story. Mary Oliver says, “There are so many stories more beautiful than answers.” It is critical that information be passed on the committee, so a pastoral response can be made. We are counting on you to share news when you hear it. Terri can be reached at 706-399-0462 and terri.degenhardt@gmail.com Jim can be reached at 912-564-2400 and Kit can be reached at 706-830-5656 and kitbrinson187@msn.com
