"So many have felt neglected at a time when an outreach could touch them in a healing way. My heart is full of gratitude for all the caring you give..."
---- MB; an outreach recipient
The Need:
Serious illness, death, and bereavement can be extraordinarily difficult. The isolation and pain of an illness or grief can be frightening; the feeling that we're losing control can seem devastating. The kinds of support we need most, (physical, emotional, and spiritual) are all too often lacking.
The most effective care networks encompass both the broader community and the micro-communities where most of us live our lives. It is not uncommon, for instance for co-workers to pitch in to help out an ill colleague or for church volunteers to lend a hand to a grieving congregant.
In fact, most churches provide excellent pastoral care and community service. Staff and volunteers visit the sick and bereaved, bring them spiritual support, and provide for material needs when possible. But the sheer volume of sick and needy members, and the acuity of their needs, can sometimes leave even the best of staff and volunteers feeling overwhelmed and under-prepared.
The Solution:
At Consoling Communities, we believe that each worship community is as unique and unrepeatable as the community of believers it serves. Some churches already have formal components of illness or grief support in place. Others have informal support networks, involving essential 'person-to-person' outreach.
Either way, an extraordinarily rich fabric of care and support already exists. Consoling Communities recognizes the inherent value of that fabric, and seeks through outreach services and training, to help staff, volunteers, and broader faith community to transform the existing fabric of support into a seamless garment of loving care.
Consoling Communities offers educational presentations, seminars, and workshops to pastors, staff, and volunteers. In addition, our 'sister' organization, Consoling Grace, offers serious illness support and grief outreach services to Christian communities who seek to provide support to congregants from within the context of their own faith perspective. Please feel free to visit: www.ConsolingGrace.com or contact us at info@ConsolingGrace.com.
We would be delighted to discuss our services with you directly. Please call Consoling Communities at 206-366-2715 or email us at info@consolingcommunites.com.
No congregation will be turned away due to inability to pay for various program components. If finances are a concern, please contact Consoling Communities and ask us regarding possible financial aid packages and variable fee-payment-schedules.
