Community of Hope
What is the Community of Hope?
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.
Christ Episcopal Church is 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, Community of Hope is now our primary pastoral ministry, assisted by various members of the congregation and including our Eucharistic Visitors, intercessory prayer list and prayer chain. We have added informal community ministries including (to name a few!) volunteering at Gentry House Adult Day Care, as hospital chaplain, and offering worship services at Chandler Square. Red Door Thrift Shop volunteers spend at least some of their time in pastoral caring relationships with those who shop there.
Through the Community of Hope International organization we have access to excellent training materials and preparation for pastoral ministries, opportunity for on-going learning, peer reflection and support, and accountability in ministry.
Everyone involved in pastoral ministries – and anyone interested in becoming involved is invited to participate. Our pastoral ministries meet in a Circle of Care on the 3rd Friday of the month, at 9 a.m.. This monthly experience provides opportunities for encouragement, prayer and worship, sharing and continued learning. Those who have completed the CoH twelve month training are available to mentor and assist newcomers exploring pastoral ministry in our community or congregation. Please contact one of the Circle of Care Leadership Team if you are interested.
Circle of Care Leadership Team
- Pastoral Care Administrator: Sara Shao McVay
- Circle of Care Coordinator: Dale Ramerman
- Training Facilitator: Creamola Wilkins, assistant Dana Jenkins
- Staff clergy and institutional administrator, The Rev. Dianne Andrews and Diane Ramerman, Pastoral Leader
