PASTORAL CARE AWARDS

PASTORAL CARE AWARDS

On October 21, 2021, volunteers from Pastoral Care ministries gathered in the Garden Cloister for brunch and the first Pastoral Care Awards

By the Rev. Greg Pickens

From the founding of our parish, there has always been ministry done by faithful people who are unencumbered by a collar. People who were called by God to use the eyes of Jesus and remedy the needs they came across.

This is a great gift, and our volunteers are in the line of succession. As disciples, they know that ministry is for their spiritual health as much as it is for the wellbeing of our parish family. It is so important to keep our ministries fresh for the good and proper functioning of our spiritual lives as well as the working of our parish. Without lines of succession — without plans for handing our ministries off—without all of us being in the business of expanding our Pastoral Care volunteer corps — we lose something sacred.

Our Pastoral Care mission statement is simple: Our ministries love, support, and bless our parish family and friends by caring for them through life’s joys and challenges.

While God calls everyone to ministry, we are doing ministry in the name of our Rector, Vice Rector and Vestry. Because we are Episcopalians, our ministry is delegated to us by this parish leadership team. Occasionally we will be asked by this parish to complete extraordinary duties. And because of who we are, our answer will always be, “yes.” We will always respond to the needs of our parish.

And respond, we have. Just coming through 2020 was a chore in itself. Our whole world came apart and we felt it. Our families and friends felt it. But this faith community also went into action, because this is what we do as Saint Michael.

Our visitations suffered because we didn’t know how contagious the virus was, but the calls, cards, and porch visits that so many did lifted this parish. In 2020, those touches added up to 9,475. It was over 1,000 more than 2019. Thank you for your amazing work.

About three years ago, I had a dream for the parish — that we would recognize our ministries. This was met with some concern because we all know ministry is done for reasons other than recognition.

Matthew 6 is clear along these lines. Jesus tells his followers: So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

I laid my dream of recognizing our volunteers aside but still, the idea kept coming back. In my mind, the awards were not an occasion for boasting. They were more about recognition of our ministers giving themselves to their discipleship. It was a recognition of their devotion — and so I moved ahead. The recipients were taken from nominations and conversations within the body of Pastoral Care ministers. And so today, we offer two awards.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given in recognition of extraordinary efforts sustained over a long discipleship. The Servant’s Heart Award is given in recognition of faithful service to this parish and the person’s chosen ministries.

SERVANT’S HEART AWARDEES: Judy Cole

Judy has a long history of many ministries but has a specific skill that she has offered time and again to Pastoral Care. Through many iterations of our database, she was there with her expertise and hard work — quietly offering sage advice and keeping our parish’s data safe.

Charlie Smith

During the pandemic she had charge over a ministry that was utterly shut down by the Bishop’s mandates. And yet, when the Rector and Vice Rector saw an opportunity to begin Lay Eucharistic Visitation, she was there, ready to go.

Shannon Callewart

Again, with visits stopped by the virus, she and her team in the Good Shepherds ministry answered the Rector’s call to contact parishioners, take prayer requests, and encourage people to watch our services online — an impossible task that she attacked with utter grace.

Terry Demler

Terry works ridiculous hours and is a constant voice of reason who interfaces with virtually every ministry of Pastoral Care. She is the one who assembles the reports for our ministry areas and serves as Pastoral Care Ministry Lay Chair.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Marillyn & Gus Seeberger

The lives they have touched over the years are uncountable. Both are a role model to me. Marillyn and Gus have made Saint Michael the center of their married life. They have been active in more ministries than I can mention, including serving as LEVs. Gus has been a leader in Friends of Christ visitations. Marillyn also serves on the Funeral Guild and for 10 years and was the communications coordinator for Pastoral Care.

These disciples and many others make pastoral care ministries the best this parish has to offer. It is an honor to serve with them.

Pastoral Care consists of four large ministry segments: cards, phone calls, support, and visitation. Serving one of the largest Episcopal parishes in the nation, we are always interested in talking to people who want to learn or lead ministry — we have a place for you!

More information can be found at SaintMichael.org or by contacting Katherine Bowen, Assistant for Pastoral Care, kbowen@saintmichael.org.