Pastoral Care Ministry
Caring for others is an important part of who we are

Jesus told us to love and serve our neighbors, whoever and wherever they might be. The Pastoral Care Ministry provides the opportunity to fulfill that role, to offer spiritual support to parishioners who are ill, hospitalized, alone, dying or grieving.

As Christ’s hands and heart in the world, the Pastoral Care Ministry serves others in many ways. Several of its members are Lay Eucharistic Visitors who bring Communion to those unable to attend services. In addition, the ministry:

• distributes flowering plants on Easter and Christmas to parishioners isolated at home and in assisted living and rehab facilities
• helps the Flower Guild distribute flowers from the altar to ill parishioners
• provides meals for those parishioners in need through the Meal Train
• writes cards and notes to parishioners through our Sunshine Cards Ministry to those celebrating happy occasions as well and those facing challenges.
• works with the Prayer Shawl Ministry to distribute prayer shawls knit by parishioners to ill parishioners 
• makes home visits to parishioners who are ill or isolated and offers the Eucharist if requested.

The Upper Cape Chaplaincy provides care to those in the hospital or other healthcare facilities. It is supported by Saint Barnabas’s. Two parishioners represent the parish by serving on the Advisory Board of the Upper Cape Chaplaincy.

“You were so kind to bring flowers to me when I was ill. It really does help to know people care.”
“Thanks for checking in following my chemotherapy this week. It means a lot.”
“I am so grateful for the delicious dinners that parishioners have delivered to us while I was recovering from surgery.”

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First Mondays of each month @ 10am
Parish House
 
Everyone is invited to join the Prayer Shawl Ministry and friends are welcomed too!  The book Knitting into the Mystery is what inspired the beginning of this ministry at Saint Barnabas's.  You can use any pattern you may choose, but for the simple pattern we have been using you need a pair of size 11 or 13 knitting needles and 3 skeins of Lion Brand Homespun yarn, we have found this yarn to be easy to work with.  I think you will be able to find this brand at Michaels.
 
We hope to meet monthly or quarterly, depending on what works best for everyone. When we are together, we will discover some of the mysteries of the prayer shawls...each one (shawl) tells a story as we knit...please come and listen to the stories and share yours too!
Come join us for a prayerful, fun time...yes knitting can be fun and spending time together one stitch at a time can be fun too!  For more information contact Debbie Gentile at debbiecape@hotmail.com.