Mission Statement:
“… For I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me drink, was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me …, whenever you did this for one of mine, you did it for me …” Matthew 25:35-40
Pastoral Visitation: Attending to the pastoral needs of our church community is vital. The Care and Support Team (CST) nurtures OUC people celebrating successes, facing challenges, and learning to live with loss and grief. Nurturing occurs in various forms – through pastoral visitation in person or over the phone, email contact, prayer, and in-home celebrations of Holy communion. The group functions under the supervision and guidance of the Minister of Congregational Care and Outreach.
Concern for Seniors is a primary focus of the team. As individuals become more isolated and increasingly frail, the CST shares God’s presence and goodness through conversation, listening, and the delivery of meals, care packages, and cards. The team’s objective is to focus on a ministry of pastoral visitation and friendship which attempts to make visible God’s presence in a meaningful and tangible way.
The Care and Support Team offers the following support:
- Visits – Home, Hospital, Long Term Care facilities, Retirement Homes.
- Cards and Telephone Calls – Successes, Condolences, Support.
- Caring Casseroles – Meals for those who have difficulty preparing meals due to challenging circumstances.
- Care and Support Alcove (located in the Narthex) – a member of the team is available after Worship on Sunday.
- Prayer Chain – A Prayer Box is situated in the Alcove to accept prayer requests or have a name included in the Prayer Chain, which is a group of people who have committed to pray for those in need.
- Funerals – We welcome and support family and visitors at OUC funerals.
- Special Worship Services.
Pastoral Counselling: Our clergy are available to provide pastoral counselling in situations where there is ongoing distress and more focused conversation and discernment is needed. Clergy provide up to three counselling sessions, and if more support is needed beyond that, refer people to appropriate mental health professionals in the community.
Training & Informed Consent: Our clergy obtain informed consent when offering pastoral counselling. This means that confidentiality and respect for the privacy of individuals is maintained, and all interactions are conducted with this in mind. It also means that, by law, we have a duty to report to the appropriate authorities any disclosure that indicates that the individual or a minor is in danger of harm.
“I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 18:1-2
Meet The Members:
Chair: MaryLou Robillard
Members: Catherine Hodgins, Pierre Pelletier, Sue Horrocks, Andrea Fisher
Minister of Congregational Care and Outreach: The Rev. Caroline Penhale
Contact Information:
Church Office: orleansunited@rogers.com; 613-837-4321
Prayer Chain: ouc.prayersforall@rogers.com
Updated: July 2020