Pastoral Care
The ministry of Pastoral Care at Saint Matthew’s is a key expression
of our identity as a Christian community. Its primary task is the fostering
of a healing relationship with Christ for us, both as individuals and
as a community. The Pastoral Ministry is primarily concerned with the
healing of souls and broken spirits—not by “fixing”
the problem, as one might expect from going to an expert—but by
allowing God’s unconditional love to flow through to each one of
us, and to flow among us from one to another. Through its programs, the
Pastoral Ministry seeks to harness the boundless healing power of Christ’s
love to strengthen the members of our fellowship, whether long-time and
well networked members or newcomers to our parish. We pray that all can
call upon this community of faith in time of need.
The late Father Henry Nouwen, a Dutch Roman Catholic priest, observed:
“Although it is usually very meaningful to call on outside help
(specialists), sometimes our referral to others is more a sign of fear
to face the pain than a sign of care, and in that case we keep our greatest
gift to heal hidden from each other. Every human being has a great,
yet often unknown, gift to care, to be compassionate, to become present
to the other, to listen, to hear, and to receive. If that gift would
be set free and made available, miracles could take place. Those who
really can receive bread from a stranger and smile in gratitude can
feed many without even realizing it. Those who can sit in silence with
their fellows, not knowing what to say but knowing that they should
be there, can bring new life to a dying heart. Those who are not afraid
to hold a hand in gratitude, to shed tears in grief, and to let a sign
of distress arise straight from the heart, can break through paralyzing
boundaries and witness the birth of a new fellowship, the fellowship
of the broken.”
(From Out of Solitude—3 Meditations on the Christian Life)
The Pastoral Ministry at Saint Matthew’s is coordinated by the
Pastoral Care Commission, chaired by Kathy May. The Reverend Betsy Anderson
is the Associate for Pastoral Ministries. Its ministries include Helping
Hands, Saints Alive, Caring Gracefully (an Elder Care ministry), Pastoral
Care Small Groups for particular affinities, such as the bereaved or cancer
survivors, an Intercessory Prayer Group, Alcoholism Support Network, Birthday
Callers, Sunday Flower Delivery, and our Home Eucharist Ministry. The
clergy of Saint Matthew’s do pastoral counseling by appointment.
In an emergency situation outside of parish business hours, a priest
may be contacted immediately by calling the parish office (310-454-1358)
and dialing the extension for pastoral emergencies, ext. 199.
The Office for Pastoral Ministries
The Rev. Betsy Anderson, Associate for Pastoral Ministries
310-573-7787, ext. 122.
Helping Hands (household help for those in temporary
need)
This ministry provides help for parishioners in need of occasional meals,
errands, grocery shopping, rides to a doctor’s appointment, or other
kinds of basic services. Whether a new baby arrives, or a debilitating
disease or accident occurs, Helping Hands ministers are coordinated to
serve throughout the parish. Need a Helping Hand?
Contact The Rev. Betsy Anderson (email
or 310-573-7787, ext. 122) for more information.
Saints Alive (Ministry for Older Adults)
Saints Alive hosts a monthly luncheon with speaker. Its mission is to
provide for the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs of our parishioners
over the age of 60. Saints Alive also provides occasional special opportunities
for seniors, such as autobiography writing classes, or a poetry reading
group.
Contact Pam McGranahan (email)
or the Rev. Betsy Anderson (310/573-7787, ext. 122) for more information.
Caring Gracefully (Ministry of Elder Care)
Caring Gracefully began in 2004 as a ministry to provide information and
support for care-givers, and for those who are doing end-of life planning:
estate planning, care-giving planning, funeral planning, and the like.
Caring Gracefully plans events to provide education, has developed a directory
of resources in the West Los Angeles area, and provides individual consultation
for Saint Matthew’s parishioners.
Contact Ron Barkley at (email).
Pastoral Care Small Groups (Small affinity groups of
Pastoral Care)
From time to time we offer small groups structured around major life challenges,
such as bereavement, care giving, or cancer survival. These groups meet
for a covenanted period (they are not ongoing), and provide spiritual
healing and strength, as well as information, for group members with particular
challenges.
Contact Kathy May (email).
Intercessory Prayer Group (Daily intercessors for those
on the parish prayer list)
The Pastoral Ministry Office maintains a parish prayer list that is prayed
during the Sunday services as well as regularly throughout the week by
the Intercessory Prayer Group, a group of 20 parishioners whose ministry
is to offer daily prayer for those on the list. Parishioners may call
at any time to add someone on the list. The Intercessory Prayer Group
also meets bi-monthly for study of and reflection on Christian prayer
practices.
Contact the Rev. Betsy Anderson (email
or 310-573-7787, ext. 122).
Alcoholism Support Network (A resource for those seeking
help)
The Alcoholism Network is a group of parishioners who have been successfully
healed of alcoholism, and who have offered their support to those struggling
with addiction. They are compassionate and successful men and women who
offer confidential personal support.
Contact The Rev. Betsy Anderson (email
or 310-573-7787, ext. 122).
Birthday Callers
All active pledging members receive a congratulatory call on their birthday
from these ministers. There is much joy in this ministry, both for caller
and recipient alike. Birthday callers make calls one day a week and sign
up for one year of service.
Contact The Rev. Betsy Anderson (email
or 310-573-7787, ext. 122).
Sunday Flower Delivery (Altar flower delivery)
This ministry packages and delivers the Sunday altar flowers to parishioners
not able to attend church. Whether to those who have had recent crises,
or to those who might have had something wonderful happen, like a new
baby, the Sunday flower delivery ministers always bring comfort and a
sense of connectedness to those who are homebound.
Contact The Rev. Betsy Anderson (email
or 310-573-7787, ext. 122).
Home Eucharist Ministry
We are happy to provide Holy Communion to parishioners who are not able
to attend services at church. Pastoral Lay Eucharistic Ministers go out
each Sunday, and the clergy are available to visit weekdays or Sundays.
Contact the Rev. Betsy Anderson (email
or 310-573-7787, ext. 122).
Pastoral Counseling
The clergy of Saint Matthew’s are always available to offer individual
pastoral care and counseling to all parishioners, not limited to but always
including the sick and homebound.
Please contact one of the clergy for an appointment, or contact the
church office at any time.
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