Pastoral Care Hotline

206.755.2076
If you are in need of urgent pastoral care, please call this number and our on-call chaplain will respond as quickly as they are able.

 

Taking Care of Each Other

This text is adapted from a letter to the community from Dean Steve Thomason which first appeared in Sundays and Beyond, our weekly newsletter, on September 23, 2012.

 

We have now begun to lay down the foundation for a comprehensive approach to pastoral care, building on the good ministries already in place. You are part of the pastoral care team, and for that we are deeply grateful.

 

Here some aspects of this integrated approach to pastoral care that hopefully will provide synergies and ensure that no one in need will go without our care and concern. This is not an exhaustive list, by any means, and we deeply appreciate all the important ways the community goes about caring for one another quietly and with great devotion. Keep it up!

 

• As priests called to serve as pastors in your midst, Irene Tanabe and Steve Thomason are both available for INDIVIDUAL PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS, and when desired, administration of sacraments including anointing and confession. Please call either of us at the office to schedule (206.323.0300). Additionally, there is a priest available each Sunday night during Compline for confidential conversation and prayer.

 

• Clergy and Chaplain PASTORAL CARE CAUCUS—the dean, along with clergy and chaplains who share the Chaplain of the Week ("COW") phone, meet twice monthly and as needed to review a running list of pastoral concerns in the parish, collaborating so that we function as a pastoral care team. We also coordinate hospital visits in this group. To alert us to a particular need, email any of us. To alert us to an urgent need, please call the COW phone (206.755.2076), which is monitored 24-7.

 

• PARISH FRIENDS is an organized effort to have companions make regular visits to those who may be home-bound or in other short or long-term need. The chief purpose is fellowship and support and augments the clergy’s pastoral care. If you know of someone who might benefit from this ministry, contact Deacon Earl Grout (egrout@saintmarks.org) or Dewey Walker (seattledewey@gmail.com).

 

• EUCHARISTIC VISITORS. Because Holy Communion is central to our identity and our common life, we are blessed with a committed groups of trained lay persons who take communion to those in the parish who are unable to attend our regular worship services. If you know of someone who would like this, contact Deacon Stephen Crippen (stephen@stephencrippen.com) or Danielle Richmond (dani@spu.edu).

 

• HEALING RAIL MINISTERS. During and after each of our Sunday morning services, trained lay persons are available in the chapel to pray with you about any concerns you may have. For more information, contact Helen Folsom (hfolsom@qwest.com).

 

• LOAVES AND FISHES. A faithful group of parishioners express their ministry by preparing meals for those who have fallen ill, are recovering from surgery, or have experienced a death in their family. It is a gesture of love and commitment on behalf of the parish family when one of us is in special need. If you know of someone who might appreciate this care, contact a member of the clergy or Jeff Sackett (jeffsacket@remax.net).

 

• PRAYER CHAIN. For years Jonie Pritchard has faithfully gone about her vocation of prayer and of calling others into prayer with her. We bless her in that work! She does not distinguish between parish concerns and the broader human family, trusting that the whole world needs our prayers. Clergy daily make referrals to Jonie, as do many others. To inquire more about the prayer chain, please email Jonie (joniepr@msn.com).

 

• SUPPORT GROUPS. The Rev. Pat Taylor facilitates two support groups—Demented Spouses (for those dealing with the challenges of Alzheimer’s in their family) and a Grief Group (for those who are living in the wake of or threat of significant loss. New groups starting in June. Beginning in June, the Pastoral Care Team will convene support groups for people dealing with life changing loss or anticipating such loss. The groups will meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7 pm and second and fourth Mondays at 2 pm. The first Wednesday meeting will be on June 5 in the Library  The first Monday meeting will be on June 10 in the Library. Contact: the Rev. Pat Taylor.
  An Al-Anon group and an AA group also meet at Saint Mark’s weekly.

 

• PRAYER. You are a part of the pastoral care team, too! By virtue of your baptized ministry, you are called to the practice of prayer and into the fellowship which binds you to every other person here. We pray for people in need during our common worship, but I also bid your prayers in your daily devotions. We are one body, and we are the richer for your part in it, and for your caring love and attention to all its members And you may just find you have a passion and calling to serve in one of these ministries as well! If so, let’s talk.

 

• EYES AND EARS. You are key in this integrated effort, and I implore you to let the clergy know when you or someone you know needs our care. We need your help, and appreciate your being eyes and ears for the benefit of all.