Pastoral Care

Spiritual Counseling

Parish Nurse Program

St. Luke's Guild

Helping Hands

 

Spiritual Counseling

The rector and clergy staff stand ready to provide counseling services to parishoners in need. Simply contact the parish office to schedule an appointment.

Parish Nurse Program

Our purpose is to serve as the resource advisors for the parish's health needs. In 2007, we offered monthly blood pressure screenings (total 159 persons/12 months), monthly newsletter health information (we purchased a $25 book of monthly health program information) and promoted the Vial of Life program. We informed the parish of community health services (e.g., Safe Kids in July at the Champaign County Fairgrounds), workshops and events in the bulletin and via notices posted in the parish hall. We hosted the KidneyMobile in October and hope to make that a yearly community service. A weekly bulletin announcement reminded parishioners to call the Parish Office if they or a family member have been admitted to the hospital and wish to receive prayers or a visit from the clergy. Due to recent regulations, the clergy are not notified of a parishioner being in the hospital so it is important to notify the office.

Our yearly meeting with Fr. Al and the other clergy in October was cancelled due to conflicts in scheduling, and the 2008 schedule is not yet finalized.

Our goals for 2008 are to reinstate the twice-yearly bloodmobile drives; review an act on the areas of expertise identified in 2005 by our parish nurses, survey the parish to identify what services they desire and their needs regarding the parish nurse program, and continue to explore the issue of respite care and home visits.

St. Luke's Guild

Five members joined St. Luke's Guild as a result of the Ministry
Information Fair last fall. The Guild consists of individuals who pray daily for the needs of the parish, centered around the parish intercessory prayer list. We have an additional list of names called in to Guild members and updated by phone as called in, and monthly by mail/e-mail. We welcome anyone interested in joining us in prayer. We have no meetings but keep in touch by phone or e-mails for updates. If you would like to join us, please call Jean Hadfield.

Helping Hands Ministry

Helping Hands is a new ministry at Emmanuel. There are two purposes of this ministry. The first is to "feed the hungry". To do this, we have
several parishioners who are ready, willing, and able, with recipes in hand, to provide casseroles and/or other simple meals for those of you who are experiencing a need for a ready-made meal. This would be those who are undergoing surgery, have had an accident, are welcoming a baby, or feeling stress of any kind. Just call the Parish Office and let us know what you need. Sometimes not having to figure out what to fix for supper can be a real morale booster. PLEASE CALL!

The other purpose of Helping Hands is to craft Prayer Shawls. These
shawls can be knitted, crocheted, quilted, hand-sewn in any way. As these shawls are created, prayers are said for the future recipient. They are then blessed and presented to those who would derive comfort in receiving tangible evidence of the love and support of this parish family.

If this ministry appeals to you, please contact the office or Joan
Smith. Directions, patterns, and kits are available. Information on the
history of this program can be found at www.shawlministry.com.