PASTORAL CARE

CRISIS MINISTRY

The Crisis Ministry provides short-term services to help parishioners through times of crisis. Caring, trained volunteers are provided in many different areas of need. Some of the crisis ministry services are: mental health crisis intervention, meal preparation, respite care, transportation and pet care. Requests should be made to Stephen Ministry, which provides long-term services. Contact Canon Kathleen Kelly at kelly@trinitycathedral.org.

STEPHEN MINISTRY

The Stephen Ministry Program equips lay people to meet the ongoing pastoral needs of parishioners in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Each Stephen Minister receives over fifty hours of education in pastoral ministry. The Stephen Minister is then assigned to someone who has special pastoral needs. Currently there are 9 leaders, 55 Stephen Ministers who visit a care receiver, and 16 people who are in training. The Stephen Ministers greatly enhance the overall pastoral ministry of the Cathedral. If you are experiencing a problem or a serious illness, call the Cathedral Office and let us know. A Stephen Minister could transform a personal crisis into an opportunity for spiritual growth and emotional maturity. For more information contact Canon Kathleen Kelly at kelly@trinitycathedral.org, or Canon Winnie Gaines at gaines@trinitycathedral.org.

EUCHARISTIC VISITORS

There are presently approximately 20 Eucharistic Visitors who have been trained, commissioned and licensed by Bishop Beisner to carry Communion to the sick and shut-ins of the parish. The EVs are trained in pastoral skills as Stephen Ministers and educated in the sacramental and practical aspects of this ministry. For more information, contact Canon Kathleen Kelly at kelly@trinitycathedral.org.

MINISTRY TO SICK, AGED AND DISABLED PERSONS

During the past year, we have had an average of 35 members of our parish family who are unable to get to church for services or other activities. We consider it our mission to take church to these individuals and do our best to keep them connected to the Cathedral family. A special component of this ministry is the work of the Eucharistic Visitors and Ministry to Household Members. Every week, the scripture reading and the sermon from the prior Sunday are given quarterly to those members of our parish family who cannot get to church or whose hearing is too deficient to hear the sermon. These same people also are given copies of the "Forward Day by Day" pamphlet with large print copies to the vision impaired. If you are aware of any of our Cathedral family who have become "unwillingly absent" please contact the Cathedral Office at (916) 4462513 or Jim Parsons at jparsons67@comcast.net.

SHAWL MINISTRY

Prayer shawls are a wonderful way to know that God is always with us. We have a team of knitters making shawls for anyone in need. The shawls are knitted with love and prayers. They are blessed before they are presented to the recipients. Contact Dorothy Malcolm at dmmalcolm@comcast.net, or Alva Kennedy, (916) 791-5719.

HIV/AIDS MINISTRY

This ministry reaches out to our parish and the broader community with information about HIV/AIDS and recommendations for the prevention of these diseases. We reach out to and minister to persons who are HIV positive or have friends or family who suffer from these illnesses. For more information contact: Ken Piercy (916) 715-1654 or Alva Kennedy, (916) 791-5719.