Congregational Care Ministry
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
Pastoral Needs
Home Communion: Lay Eucharistic Ministers provide Home Communion to those who cannot attend services. Contact Julie Tilton by email or by phone: 703 670-0093.
Hospital Visits: Please notify the All Saints’ office or send an email if you are hospitalized and would like a trained parishioner or clergy member to visit you. If you contact Congregational Care Ministry, be sure to include the name of the hospital, the dates you anticipate being hospitalized, and a callback number.
Reconciliation of a Penitent: Please contact a clergy member directly if you would like to be reconciled to God through the ministry of reconciliation.
From the Book of Common Prayer:
The reconciliation of a penitent is available for all who desire it. It is not restricted to times of sickness. Confessions may be heard anytime and anywhere.
The secrecy of a confession is morally absolute for the person hearing the confession and must under no circumstances be broken.
Funeral: Please contact the All Saints’ office immediately upon the death of a parishioner or member of a parishioner’s family. Funeral arrangements should be made in consultation with a clergy member.
Clergy can meet with parishioners to help them think clearly through difficult situations or relationships for up to three sessions.
Clergy can also refer you to counselors, therapists, and resources in the community.
Counseling
Meals Ministry: The Meals Ministry provides meals to members of the congregation who temporarily cannot provide meals for themselves.
Helping Hands: Helping Hands provide handyman projects for the elderly and infirm who are financially challenged.
Navigating Social Services: Congregational Care Ministry can help you get connected with community resources.
Transportation: To church service/activities and occasional doctor appointments.
Visits: to the homebound and lonely.
Food: Two bags of groceries from the food pantry
Practical Assistance
Stephen Ministry
There are times when every one of us experiences difficulties and could benefit from the care of a supportive Christian friend.
Our Stephen Ministers provide confidential, one-on-one Christian care to people who are:
• Grieving the death of a loved one
• Hospitalized or recovering from hospitalization
• Lonely or discouraged
• Coping with a terminal illness or caring for a family member with a terminal illness
• Unemployed or in a job crises
• Disabled or caring for an ill or disabled family member
• New to the congregation or the community
• Anticipating or recovering from the birth or adoption of a child
• Homebound or institutionalized
• Recently retired
• Experiencing a spiritual crisis
• Victim of a disaster or accident
• Or experiencing one of life’s other transitions
What is a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who have received 50 hours of caregiving training to minister to people experiencing a crisis, facing a challenge, or simply going through a tough time. They are under the supervision of the congregation’s Stephen Leaders and Deacon Julie Tilton.
A Stephen Minister will meet with you privately and confidentially on a weekly basis to pray, listen, care, encourage, support, and remind you of Christ’s presence in your life.
(A Stephen Minister is not a counselor, nor a problem-solver, nor someone who runs errands or helps with chores.)
How do you get connected with a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers are assigned to parishioners by Deacon Julie Tilton. Requests can be initiated by either the individual desiring a Stephen Minister, or by the Practical Care Coordinator coordinating a person’s care needs.
More information on Stephen Ministry can be found online, or by speaking with Deacon Julie Tilton.
Support groups are designed to bring people together who share a common issue to support one another. Some are specifically Christian. Some are for a specific period of time, others are ongoing and participants are free to join anytime. Following are some of the support groups available either at All Saints' or elsewhere in the community. Your practical care coordinator will help you find a particular group. If you do not have a care coordinator, please contact Congregational Care Ministry: 703-670-0093 or email.
DivorceCare: Individuals who are divorced may find help, discover hope and experience healing through DivorceCare. This 13-week series is a DVD and discussion-based group that meets on Thursday evenings at the church. DivorceCare can help participants recover from the pain of separation and divorce through a special weekly support group and seminar conducted by people who understand what you are experiencing. Participants learn how to deal with the pain of the past and look forward to rebuilding their lives through presentations on topics such as anger, depression, loneliness, new relationships, financial survival, KidCare, forgiveness, reconciliation, moving on and growing closer to God.
Grief Share: Individuals who have experienced the death of someone close may be interested in Grief Share classes/meetings with others who have had the same experience. A video and small group support explores the various stages of grief and offers a caring place of support for those working through loss.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Individuals who have had a drinking problem can find support to help them stop drinking. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem. Some professionals refer to alcoholism and drug addiction as “substance abuse” or “chemical dependency.” Nonalcoholics are, therefore, sometimes introduced to AA and encouraged to attend AA meetings. Nonalcoholics may attend open AA meetings as observers, but only those with a drinking problem may attend closed AA meetings.
Al-Anon: Al-Anon groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope, in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness, and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.
Regeneration: Regeneration creates safe and sacred communities where men and women grow in intimacy with Jesus, so those caught in cycles of sexual or relational sin find freedom, and those who have been wounded by the sin of others experience healing.
Cancer Care Ministry: The goal of the cancer care ministry at All Saints’ Church is to bring hope, assistance and encouragement to people dealing with a cancer diagnosis and to their caregivers. Cancer is an enemy that affects the mind and spirit as well as the body. We’re available to walk alongside as you navigate the journey, providing hope and encouragement. Just send us an email.
Support Groups
Prayer and Healing
Request Care
Prayer is available in the following ways:
Prayer requests are prayed for by the intercessory team for two weeks unless a new request is made for continued prayer. Please send your submissions here.
During the Prayers of the People in the worship service, there will be a time for the congregation to participate aloud by lifting up personal names.
People in need of prayer are always encouraged to seek prayer from prayer teams located at the back hallway of the church during Communion.