Pastoral Care

HEART TO HEART
Heart to Heart is a ministry of pastoral care to our Cathedral members that offers loving support during times of crisis and celebration in times of joy. Trained, dedicated and faithful laity offer their spiritual gifts in collaboration with Cathedral clergy to care for our Cathedral family. Pastoral Shepherds serve as points of contact with members to provide a caring presence and coordinate the provision of services from the Pastoral Support Ministries. Members are assigned a team of Shepherds. When you have a pastoral need or become aware that a fellow member has a need, notify your Shepherd or stop by the Heart to Heart cart after Sunday services. All information is kept confidential.

Heart to Heart Ministries are as follows:

CARING FRIENDS – trained laity who visit members in hospitals, care facilities and homes to offer a caring presence and prayer.

EUCHARISTIC VISITORS – trained laity licensed by the Bishop to take communion to members who are homebound, hospitalized or in care facilities.

FLOWER MINISTRY – laity who prepare and deliver bouquets made from altar flowers to members in the hospital, care facilities or at home when ill, injured or celebrating special occasions.

INTERCESSORS – laity who pray for the spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being of those requesting support.

MEALS MINISTRY – laity who prepare (or purchase) and deliver a meal to members recovering from illness or injury, experiencing a family death, or celebrating a newborn’s homecoming.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY – laity who create and deliver these tokens of their prayer and support for those in chronic need.

TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY – laity who provide short-term transportation to church or doctor’s appointments for fellow members who are unable to drive because of age or illness.

WHEELCHAIR MINISTRY – laity who assist those at Cathedral Residences or Cathedral Gerontology Center to and from Sunday service.

HOLY FOLDERS
The Holy Folders assist the Cathedral staff with numerous weekly and monthly mailings. By folding, sorting and labeling the large amounts of material that leaves the Cathedral Communication Department, the Holy Folders help save the Cathedral thousands of dollars a year in mailing costs. 

LAY WEEDERS
All are welcome to join this group of outdoor garden workers!  We meet about six times a year on Saturday mornings to weed, trim, and mulch; plant beautiful flowers and enjoy each other’s company. Our mission is to reflect the love and welcome of our people inside the beautiful Cathedral on the outside. On most Saturday workdays, a Cathedral angel provides lunch for everyone!

PARISH NURSE & HEALTH MINISTRY
The St. John’s Cathedral Parish Nurse Program’s focus is on education and empowerment that leads to emotional and physical well-being.  The objectives of the program include promotion of healthy living through exercise, healthy nutrition, as well as spiritual growth.  These objectives may be accomplished by encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their daily living, with emphasis on wellness and healing. Activities provided for St. John’s communicants are: blood pressure screenings every second and fourth Sunday in Ingram Lounge; a monthly article in our church newsletter; working with the Heart to Heart Program regarding referrals for specific needs; counseling for health-related concerns; responding to requests for seminars on wellness, medications, exercise and nutrition, as well as coordinating the annual blood drive.