Community Care

Mission Statement

The Community Care Ministry of the Church of the Epiphany is dedicated to the care of the members of our faith community. We recognize that everyone has the right to feel better – body, mind and spirit – regardless of their health, prognosis or condition. We are committed to accompanying our fellow Epiphanites as they travel through life’s journey. We dedicate ourselves to helping them reach for the best that life has to offer them. We will do so with compassion, respect and full knowledge that the gifts of us all can only be fully realized through caring for our Minds, our Bodies and our Spirits.

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. Coordinator: Sheila Reiss (243-1587)


• 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. 

Bereavement

• We offer comfort and support to those who mourn while walking with them on their journey towards healing. Coordinator: Elaine Zeller (742-4549)


• Support is given to families by way of helping plan the liturgy and organizing a reception if requested.


• We have prepare ans serve 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. 


• Living with Grief sessions are held annually. They continue for four 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 the office of the Parish Nurse.

 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. Coordinators:  Sue Dossey  (245-7656) and De Ann Kurtz (228-4054).


• 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.


• To request a blanket, please visit the Healing Blanket page. 

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: Linda Niehaus (749-0114)


• 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 is held four 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 every other fall.


• Blood Pressure Screenings: Usually held the last Sunday of the month in the Library of the Community Center.


• Flu shots: Offered during the fall each year.


• 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, CPR and AED, etc. and other events upon request.

Advocacy for the Elderly

• Driven by the Church's teaching on the dignity of te human person and the sanctity of life, we will strive to provide programs and seminars that benefit our parishioners as they venture through their "golden years" of their of their lives. Coordinator: Jean Holliger (599-9437).


•  Health Referrals are offered through the office of the Parish Nurse.


• Prescription Drug Assistance through the office of the Parish Nurse.


• Examples of different programs that have been offered are: AARP 55 Alive Driving Safety Class, Medicare A-Z , The Basics: Memory Loss Demntia and Alzheimer's.

Newborn Ministry

• A ministry to assist families  of  of newborns and adopted newborns as they begin their life's journey with our faith community. Coordinator: Sandy Waitz (244-0254). 


• We'll prepare and deliver meals for two weeks following the arrival of the newborn.


• We run errands to pich up prescriptions or groceries as needed.


• We can provide transportation to and from doctor's appointments.


• We can provide referrals for a "Mom Mentors", a lactation specialist or another expert regarding the care of your newborn.


• For a registration form [click here]. 

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 in the Community Care Ministry. 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.