Training for Communion Ministers to the Homebound
Are you warm, inviting, and able to meet and visit with others in a variety of circumstances? Are you flexible and adaptable? Do you love the sacrament of Holy Communion and our congregation’s weekly sharing in this meal? God may be calling you to the ministry of carrying the gifts of word and sacrament to our congregation’s homebound members.
While this ministry will always be a regular and expected part of the pastoral call, it does not belong exclusively to clergy. In the same way that members of our congregation are trained to serve as readers, intercessors, acolytes, and communion ministers within the assembly’s worship, members can be trained to take part in this ministry of sharing holy communion beyond the assembly’s worship.
In fact, lay ministers participating in and leading this ministry meet a pastoral need in a way that our pastor/s cannot. Those who are homebound or absent from the daily and weekly life of the congregation often say what they miss about “going to church” is being included within the community of other church members. The various people who make up the life of the congregation are missed just as much as, perhaps even more than, the pastor is missed.
If you have gifts of hospitality, listening, companionship, and personal comfort in intimate settings, prayerfully consider learning more about this ministry at a training on Sunday, April 10th, following the 11:00 am worship service. We will gather in the alcove in the gathering area from 12:15 to 1:15 pm.