St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

Over the last eight years, the work of caring has usually fallen upon the shoulders of the priest or the ECW. A growing church, however, will have a team of people who care for each other.

Fortunately, two new members have stepped up to the plate. We're compiling a list of people who might benefit from such a ministry. Down the road, an intercessory prayer group and a prayer phone tree.

Last Sunday more than 12 people volunteered to donate a short amount of time for those who needed a little help.

Every now and again we have people who have suffered a

➢ Death of a Spouse or Close Family Member
➢ Final or First year of College
➢ Marriage, Separation or Divorce
➢ Personal illness
➢ Fired from work or Retirement
➢ Family member's health
➢ Pregnancy and/or addition to family
➢ New Job
➢ Financial difficulties / new job
➢ Jail or trouble with the law

And in these times, the church can provide support for those people.

In small churches that are extraordinarily rich, they can afford to have a resident clergy who serves every need. But in other Christian communities, and in efficient parishes, the congregation is organized to care for each other.

We now have a committee, Laura Owen and Meg Fitts, who have taken it upon themselves to help the church help those who are sick, ill, or stressed out.

Their first task will be to gather the names of all those individuals who can make a meal, deliver a meal, make a phone call, write a card, or run and errand for another person. The tasks will be small and manageable.

Its a positive and exciting change for St. Barts: evidence of the spirit's movement.