Caregiving at St. Mark’s
Caregiving is everyone’s business at St. Mark’s. It occurs in myriad ways: when we greet someone by name and really listen to what they have to say, when we pray for those on the prayer list in the bulletin and for those whose needs are offered up during the Prayers of the People, when we take time to visit someone who is in the hospital or homebound, when we provide a meal or a ride for someone, and when we make our services and facilities accessible to those with special needs.
In any week during the year, our clergy and parishioners care for one another in these and other ways. They do so quietly without fanfare and without seeking any recognition. They may do so because of a deep-seated understanding of the wisdom embedded in the Golden Rule; or they may consciously be striving to follow Christ’s injunction to “love one another.” Whatever the motivation, we can all be thankful that our parish community is filled with caring individuals.
At the same time, in a congregation as large and ever-changing as ours, there is always the possibility that parishioners’ needs may not always be known to the clergy, staff, or other members of the church. Over time, the Caregivers Group has evolved to assist the clergy in identifying and responding to the needs of parishioners. Operating within Parish Life, the group consists of individuals who have been invited to serve the congregation in several ways, including pastoral visits and laying on of hands.