Community of Hope
What is the Community of Hope?
Answer: Christians dedicated, trained and commissioned to a pastoral ministry of presence, serving in congregation and community.
The Community of Hope began in the Pastoral Care department at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Texas, in 1994. This ministry then moved beyond the hospital walls to serve the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, and now is in most of the fifty states as well as internationally. This Spring, Christ Episcopal Church became a Community of Hope for the Anacortes area; we are joined in this effort by members of the Cluster congregations and St. Stephens-Oak Harbor.
We live in a society in which few people really listen to others. People who are ill, suffering, lonely, and or in pain need someone to listen and to respond appropriately to their spiritual needs. The Community of Hope creates communities committed to pastoral care, and equips lay persons to be present in a compassionate, listening, non-controlling manner in order to make a difference in the health and well-being of those in need. In this ministry of presence, the Community of Hope serves in any setting where adults, youth or children are sick, in crisis, at risk, or underserved – especially the poor, the homeless, the imprisoned and the elderly.
At Christ Church, we have a number of Pastoral Care ministries: the CARE Team, Sunshine Committee, Eucharistic Visitors, and intercessory prayer. Over the past several years, we have added informal community ministries including (to name a few!) volunteering at Gentry House, as hospital chaplain, and offering services at Chandler Square. Red Door volunteers spend time in pastoral caring relationships with those who shop there. In December, 2009, these ministries met in discernment to consider better ways to meet the needs of those we serve, as well as ways to recruit, train and encourage each other in ministry. Our consensus: there is a need for more coordination and intentionality, and the Community of Hope would help us meet these needs.
Through the Community of Hope International (CoH) we have access to excellent training materials, opportunity for on-going learning, peer reflection and support, and accountability in ministry.
Our CoH Circle of Care training begins on Monday, September 13, 2010, 9:30 a.m. at Christ Church. If there is sufficient interest, a second Circle will meet on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s in Mt. Vernon. The Circles will continue to meet on the second Monday (and second Tuesday) of each month for one year (with time off in the summer) to complete twelve education units. Applications are available now and should be completed no later than August 31. The cost for materials is $50.00; make checks payable to Christ Church, with annotation “ for Community of Hope.”
Everyone involved in pastoral ministries – and anyone interested in becoming involved is invited to participate. The monthly Circle of Care provides opportunities for encouragement, prayer and worship, sharing and continued learning.
Christ Church Community of Hope
Leadership Team:
Pastoral Care Administrators: Sara Shao-McVay and Betty Anne McCoy
Circle of Care Coordinators: Marjorie Scribner and Dale Ramerman
Training Facilitators: Creamola Wilkins
Staff clergy and institutional administrator: The Rev. Vicki Wesen and Diane Ramerman, Pastoral Leader
