Pastoral care at St. Christopher’s entails emulating the compassionate acts of the Good Samaritan—by crossing the road to bind up the wounds, and make whole, any and all persons who suffer in mind, body, spirit or soul; and to reveal and share something of Christ the Healer with the world.
Pastoral Associate, Judith Felton
Judith is available to see people in her office for support, pastoral care, bereavement support, and counsel. She is in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, or by appointment. She is also available for home or hospital visitations. Judith can be reached via email by clicking here or by phone at 860-301-7481.
Bereavement Support
St. Christopher’s offers two ongoing opportunities for bereavement support. One group meets in person every Tuesday from 1:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. and another group meets via Zoom every Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Both groups, facilitated by Pastoral Associate Judith Felton, offer support for those living with the sense of grief that accompanies loss, whether it be loss due to the death of a loved one or loss that is felt following divorce, retirement, and other life transitions. Please contact Judith for additional information.
Lay Pastoral Ministers
The Lay Pastoral Ministers offer caring confidential ministry to those in our parish who may need some extra support. An extension of our pastoral care, Lay Pastoral Ministers have completed extensive training, providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to be a compassionate and healing presence to parishioners in transition. Our Lay Pastoral Ministers work closely with Pastoral Associate Judith Felton and clergy, bringing God’s healing love to people who are grieving, in crisis, or experiencing other stresses in life.
Nursing Home Ministry
As many of us know, there are individuals living in long-term care facilities who have very few visitors. Pastoral Associate Judith Felton has been in touch with Liberty Commons regarding the formation of a small group of individuals from St. Christopher’s who feel called to do visitations to residents living there. Please contact Judith for additional information.
Pastoral Care Steering Committee
A Pastoral Care Steering Committee assists the Pastoral Associate with assessing the pastoral needs of the parish, both from a micro and macro level. Individuals on this committee serve in an advisory capacity to the Pastoral Associate, ensuring that the pastoral concerns of individuals and the parish are addressed.
Community Ministry
Volunteers from St. Christopher’s support monthly worship services at continuing and long term care facilities in the region. This ministry is part of our spiritual mission to have a presence outside of our walls and in the community. If you share a desire for this ministry, there is a place for you. All are welcome.
Friends Helping Friends Fund
The parish often responds with enormous generosity to parishioners who may need funding or other types of assistance for home repairs. Toward this end, we have established a Friends Helping Friends fund. The purpose of this fund is quite simple: to assist members of our parish with the cost of home repairs necessary for their safety and security. Opportunities for assistance will be identified by members of our parish who regularly do pastoral visits, such as our Pastoral Associate, Lay Pastoral Ministers, and others. As requests come forward, they will be reviewed by our Pastoral Associate and members of our Friends Helping Friends committee. If you or someone you know could benefit, please contact our Pastoral Associate.
For more information about Pastoral Care at St. Christopher’s, please contact Judith Felton, Pastoral Associate, via email by clicking here or by phone at 860-301-7481.