Visitation Care Ministries

 

Contacting the Visitation Care Team Ministry

     To contact the Visitation Care Team with a visitation request or to share information about a potential care need, call the church office at 610-621-5770 or email the Visitation Care Team Coordinator directly at CareTeam@sprucc.org.

 

 

 

Visitation Ministries

Visitation Care Team Ministry

     The Visitation Care Team Ministry (VCT) is composed of members who have: (1) gone through the Called To Care training (or are in the midst of taking the training); (2) have CHYLD Worker status in our Safe Sanctuary policies; and (3) have been approved by the Spiritual Council to participate in the VCT Ministry.

     Our VCT Ministry provides visitations to members when at a hospital or rehabilitation hospital, recently home from the hospital, during times of grief, when on hospice, and at other times of similar need.

     The VCT member of the week is listed in the weekly bulletin and in the monthly newsletter, and can be contacted by members directly or through the church office.

     Annually, the Spiritual Council appoints an Elder to be the Visitation Care Team Ministry Coordinator, who coordinates the VCT list and helps to ensure visits are being made timely and appropriately.  You can contact the current coordinator directly at: CareTeam@sprucc.org.

 

 

Homebound/Shut-in Visitation Ministry

     Each of our homebound members are assigned an Elder to visit with them.  The Elder makes quarterly visits and is trained and approved by the Pastor to serve them communion.  In addition, the Pastor makes visits to our homebound members.

     Annually, the Spiritual Council appoints an Elder to be the Homebound Visitation Ministry Coordinator, who coordinates the list of Elders providing visits and ensures that all of our homebound members are being visited regularly by an Elder.

 

 

VCT Small Group

     The Visitation Care Team Ministry Coordinator and the Homebound Visitation Ministry Coordinator co-lead the VCT Small Group meetings.  These meetings provide ongoing mutual support, prayer, and training of those participating in our Visitation Ministry.  Generally, these meetings take place every other month.

 

 

Western Berks Sheperding Ministry

     The Western Berks Shepherding Ministry is a combined ecumenical ministry with other local churches to provide transportation services for persons within our local area.  The Mission and Fellowship Committee provides oversight and coordination of this ministry.

 

 

Biblical Mandate

    34Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 45Then he will answer them,’Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
~ Matthew 25:34-36, 45       

    14Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.
~ James 5:14

 

 

 

Called To Care

Visitation Ministry Training Program

     “Called-To-Care” (C2C) is our seven session training program for lay persons engaged in the visitation ministry to our hospitalized, ill, and homebound members.  This program was developed by the United Church of Christ.

      All Elders and anyone else engaged in visitation ministries are to complete at least sessions #1 & #2 (which address such issues as confidentiality, initiating a visit, basic do’s and don’t’s of a hospital or home visit, and more) before beginning visitations, and are to continue to strive to complete all seven.  All elders who are providing communion are to also complete session #7, which goes over the serving of communion.

     To find out when our next session will be offered, please contact the church office at 610-621-5770 or office@sprucc.org.  Our training sessions are generally open to members of other churches, as well.

     Our next C2C training session can be found on our website by clicking on this C2C Training Schedule link.

 

 

 

Visitation Ministry Resources

     Home Touch

     C2C Caregiving Record Card

     Visitation Care Ministries Guidelines

     Visitation Care Team Weekly Schedule - Jan 2021 - May 2021