There are many opportunities for parishioners who are called to minister to those in need within our own parish community. The clergy are our primary pastoral caregivers, but we have dedicated compassion ministries that serve as part of the priesthood of all believers.
This ministry consists of teams who take Holy Communion from our Sunday Eucharist to those who are unable to attend that day, and thereby provide them the opportunity to share in our corporate worship. There is some training involved and LEVs are licensed by the Diocese to carry out this important ministry.
This group assists in setting up, serving at, and cleaning up after funeral receptions in the Parish Hall.
Parishioners work in teams of 5-6 people for two non-consecutive months to provide fresh meals for church members after the birth of a child, as a result of hospitalization, or death in the family when there is no funeral reception.
Volunteers send cards and personal notes on a monthly or occasional basis to homebound parishioners or those experiencing a crisis of some sort.
The mission of The Community of Hope International is “Creating communities, steeped in Benedictine Spirituality, to serve others through compassionate listening.” Our ministries, whether inside or outside the church doors, are discerned by each chaplain personally, as St. Benedict reminds all faithful people to “listen with the ear of your heart.” Chaplains in The Community of Hope (CoHI) are accountable to each other and pray, study, and worship together during monthly Circle of Care meetings. This community life invites further study of The Rule of St. Benedict and opportunities for debriefing, self-care, and growth. Prior to being commissioned, participants enter into a discernment period which includes a 14-week training time of prayer, community building, and pastoral and Benedictine study through expert presenters and study modules.
The Grace Center of Community of Hope International provides pastoral care to Gainesville in a variety of ways, both inside and outside the walls of Grace Episcopal Church. This includes visits to residents in nursing homes, pastoral visits to homebound parishioners, weekly deliveries for Meals on Wheels, monthly Walk N’ Talks (mile walk followed by lunch) and courtroom support to participants in Hall County’s Mental Health Accountability Court Program, early literacy program for children through United Way’s Read Learn Succeed Program, and pastoral support for families participating in Family Promise.
The pastoral care team welcomes your prayer requests, good news, and concerns. The team can also help to refer to outside counseling help, where needed. A call to the church office at 770-536-0126 is all that is needed to set things in motion to provide any of these ministries or to learn more about how to serve.