Pastoral Care is the way we express the love of Christ to one another as we walk together through life’s ups and downs. We are called to care for one another especially during times of transition or significant change in our lives, such as the death of a family member or close friend, the loss of a job, a serious illness, marriage, the birth of a baby, divorce, and other times of loss or change. When there is a need for pastoral support, it is important that someone call and inform the church, so that we may respond appropriately. We respect your privacy and work hard to maintain the confidentiality of your particular concern to level you desire.

Pastoral Care and the Clergy

If you or someone you love is in need of pastoral support, you are free to contact a member of the clergy directly. Our priests are often the first responders to a pastoral care crisis. They are available to visit you in your home or in the hospital, to offer Holy Communion and other sacraments, and to provide pastoral counseling. When appropriate, the clergy can guide you toward other resources to assist you in finding the help you need. To contact a member of the clergy during office hours, call the church at 879-8651. In the event of an after-hours emergency, a member of the clergy is on call at all times and can be reached by calling (205) 617-8954.

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministers are All Saints’ members carefully selected and trained to offer one-to-one Christian care to those facing all kinds of life challenges, including the loss of a loved one, illness, loneliness, unemployment, infertility, and much more. Stephen Ministers maintain strict confidentially and receive ongoing supervision and training. They typically meet with a person once a week as long as the need continues. To find out more about the program or to request a visit with a Stephen Minister, contact one of our

Stephen Leaders: The Rev. Charles Youngson or Mrs. Marla Weaver

Pastoral Care Committee

The Pastoral Care Committee is made up of the various pastoral ministry leaders along with others involved in pastoral care. The group meets monthly to support the pastoral care efforts of the congregation.

Baptism

Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. Christians baptized in any denomination can become members of All Saints’. If you wish to be baptized or to present your child for baptism, contact the church to schedule an appointment with a member of the clergy. You may want to download and complete the Baptism Information Form before your appointment.

Marriage

The Episcopal Church holds that “Christian marriage is a solemn public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God” (Book of Common Prayer, page 422). That principle guides our marriage services and policies. All Saints’ offers the sacrament of marriage to members and family of members who have undergone premarital counseling with a member of the clergy at All Saints’. To learn more about being married at All Saints’ download our Wedding Guidelines.

Funerals

When a church member has died or is near death, it is important to notify the church promptly. The clergy are available to walk with people facing death and to offer support to their families and friends both before and after. When a church member dies, we meet with the family to offer consolation and to plan a fitting funeral service. We encourage all members to make funeral plans ahead of time by meeting with a member of the clergy. A funeral planning form to guide you in this process is available for download. On our grounds next to the church is our memorial garden, where the ashes of the deceased can be buried. To learn more about burial in the memorial gardens, download the Memorial Garden Brochure.

Other Pastoral Care Ministries

Care Teams

Care team members are trained and organized to assist in grocery shopping and prescription delivery, and a variety of other tasks that are custom designed to meet the needs of the care receiver.

Flower Ministry

The flower ministry delivers the altar flowers to those who are in transition to remind them that All Saints' is remembering them during their time.

Funeral Hospitality

When a funeral is held at the church, the funeral guild provides refreshments and a light lunch for family members as a way of expressing its love for the person who has died and providing support for the bereaved.

Mercy Meals

Sometimes the gift of a meal makes a big difference during a difficult time. All Saints’ members gather periodically to cook and freeze delicious meals that are then delivered to a person’s home when they are needed.

Prayer List

Prayer is at the heart of our ministry of pastoral care. Our parish prayer list is a valuable way of enlisting the prayer support of the entire congregation. Members on our list are prayed for aloud at Sunday services. Friends and family are prayed for during Wednesday Morning Prayer and at other times during the week.

Prayer Tree

This group of church members provides immediate prayer support in times of crisis. These prayer requests do not automatically go on our public prayer list unless requested. To send a prayer request, contact Pauline Johnson at 942-8898 or the church office.

Prayer Shawls

Each Thursday afternoon, a group of All Saints’ members gathers to lovingly knit shawls to be given to those experiencing a loss. These tangible signs of God’s grace are prayerfully made and blessed by a priest before being delivered to someone in need.

St. Martin's in the Pines

Each first Thursday of the month All Saints' provides hospitality for the nursing home residents at St. Martin's in the Pines. Following the 10:00 AM Eucharist in the chapel, refreshments are served. Several lay visitors from the parish visit our members or family members who live at St. Martin's.

Tape Ministry

Each week the eleven o'clock service is taped and a copy of this service is mailed and delivered to home-bound members. The tape ministry is another way the family of All Saints' connects with one another.

Visitation

A small group of lay persons is trained to make visits to those who are in the hospital for long periods, those who live in retirement homes, or those who are homebound to some extent. Some are also licensed to bring Holy Communion from our Sunday morning worship.

Transportation to All Saints’

Want to come to church, but need a ride? We are happy to arrange a volunteer to pick you up and take you back home.

To request any of these forms of pastoral care or to find out how you can become involved in helping others, call the church office.