Community Care Ministry Subcommittees
Care of the Sick
Exampling the healing spirit of Jesus Christ, we will nourish, visit, transport and foster practices for those who are ill.
Coordinators: Tootie Holmes and
Connie Fowler
We visit the sick of the community, as well as other facilities such as nursing homes or rehab facilities. We bring communion to the homebound and sick. There is a growing list of those who are homebound and in nursing homes that need visitors.
Please call the parish office to notify us as soon as a family member is admitted; ordinarily, hospitals do not notify the parish due to privacy laws. Anointing of the sick is offered twice a year, usually in July and November. Additionally, any parish member suffering from a serious physical or emotional illness may request to receive this sacrament by calling the Parish Nurse.
We offer support by providing meals to parishioners suffering an acute illness who can’t care for themselves. We offer transportation to doctor appointments to those unable to drive. We bring ashes on Ash Wednesday, Palms on Palm Sunday and flowers during Easter and Christmas to our homebound and sick. We go Christmas caroling to our homebound and have a chili supper afterwards.
Bereavement
We offer comfort and support to those who mourn while walking with them on their journey towards healing.
Coordinators: Cathy Shoemaker
and
Karen Bryant
Support is given to families by way of helping plan the liturgy, supplying food, and house sitting during the funeral.
We have funeral meals after the services for families and friends of parishioners. We deliver flowers during the Easter and Christmas seasons to those who mourn. We follow our parishioners who have suffered loss during that very difficult first year. We also offer Living with Grief.
Living with Grief sessions are held twice annually, in the fall and spring. They continue for eight weeks. This healing experience is offered for those mourning the loss of a loved one through death. Grief takes many forms, and it is healthier to address the pain one is feeling in a safe environment rather than bury it within. To participate, a four to six month waiting period is suggested after losing a loved one. For further information, call Pamela Lynch RN, Parish Nurse at 245-9733 x22
Healing Blanket
We come together to sew and pray for those in need of healing in mind, body or spirit and to cover them with our blankets and the prayers of the community of Epiphany.
Coordinator: Mary Jones
The Healing Blanket Ministry was started in May 2003. This ministry is for anyone in need of prayer and healing of mind, body or spirit. Each blanket - sewn by parishioners - is a symbol of the warmth and care that comes with the knowledge that others are praying for you.
Please join us as we gather together in this loving ministry. No sewing experience is necessary!! We need people to cut fabric, assemble the blankets and prayer cards, tie ribbons, and do other associated things. If you are an experienced seamstress and wish to sew at home, we’ll show you what you need to know to sew the blankets at home. We also make burial palls for the indigent of our community and provide them to the Office of the County Coroner.
A special prayer service is held in November in gratitude and remembrance for all those whose lives have been touched by this loving ministry.
To request a blanket call Pamela Lynch, RN or visit the Healing Blanket page.
You may also request a healing blanket by email.
Health and Well-Being
To promote, educate, and support, in a holistic manner, the overall health and well-being of community members and outreach to the larger community.
Coordinator: JoAnne Feldman
This ministry is aimed to give our parishioners the tools and information that they need to live well. We hold various activities throughout the year as described below.
Blood Mobile: This is held three times a year, in collaboration with the Red Cross.
Health and Well Being Fair offers a variety of health screenings and healthy lifestyle information. It is held in October in conjunction with the Walk to Bethlehem (a 6 week program of walking together as a community as well as informative health presentations)
Blood Pressure Screenings: Usually held the last Sunday of the month in the Library of the Community Center.
Flu shots: Offered during the Health and Well-Being Fair by the Visiting Nurses Association of Louisville.
CPR and AED(automatic external defibrillator): Training is held at various times throughout the year.
Other events are held throughout the year such as, Heart Healthy Cooking Class, and other events upon request.
Advocacy and Assistance
Driven by the Church's teaching on the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of life, we will strive for just health care delivery designed to meet the needs of all, especially the most vulnerable.
Coordinator: Mike Ahrens
As advocates for the most vulnerable among us, we offer
Prescription Drug Assistance through the office of the Parish Nurse. A Caregivers Support Group meets on the last Wednesday of the month in Epiphany House. AARP 55 Alive Driving Safety Class is held twice a year – watch the bulletin for the times.
Health Referrals are offered through the office of the Parish Nurse.
Newborn Ministry to support families who have been blessed with a new baby either through birth or adoption. We offer meals, advice, and a lactation specialist if needed. Contact the office of the Parish Nurse for more information.
Whether you have one hour a week, a couple of hours a month, or a few hours a year, there are abundant ways to serve your fellow members of the Epiphany Community in Care of the Sick. If you are in need of any of the services of this Ministry, please don’t hesitate to contact the office of the Parish Nurse, or any of the other individuals listed above. |
