Care Team Ministry

Mike Shea

Care teams are not exclusive to Christian churches. There are many care teams operated by other religions and by secular organizations like labor unions or even communities of just like-minded persons.

But for the Christian, care teams have a special role. Jesus demands love and self-sacrifice. He calls upon us to love and help one another. It is the cornerstone of living a Christian life.

We hear it from the pulpit and we read it in the Bible. In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus gives examples of that love saying, "in as much as you have done it unto the least of my bretheren, you have done it unto me." Paul in his Epistle to the Romans explains that the love of God is accomplished through love of neighbor. And in the Gospel according to John, Jesus exhorts us "to love one another as I have loved you."

In recent times it could be said Mother Teresa operated the ultimate care team.

Care teams continue the Christian tradition of communities of care. Along with other ministries such as the Parish Visitors, Habitat for Humanity and Good Samaritans( just to name a few), Care Teams at the Chapel of the Cross, offer us an opportunity to more fully live our Christian lives.

The Church is the Body of Christ, it is the community of God's people.

The care team gives us, as church members, a way to do more than make a financial contribution and listen to a sermon. It is an opportunity to get off our knees and put our faith into action, beginning with our fellow parishioners. It is a good and safe place to begin an introduction to serving and caring for others as ourselves.

The Chapel of the Cross care teams are structured to provide practical assistance to members in need. They center on helping those parishioners who are increasingly dependent because of illness or aging. In addition, one care team provides and serves dinner monthly to residents at the Orange County AIDS residence.

Our care teams offer structure for those who may be unsure of how to proceed to help others. No special skills are required. Our teams offer flexibility, accepting whatever time and talents the member is willing to give. One person may be skilled at making minor home repairs, another may be a good listener providing emotional and spiritual support, another may be able to assist in buying groceries. All work is valued, utilized, and appreciated. It helps humanize life in in a Christian context in what frequently seems an increasingly depersonalized experience.

Our care teams also offer direct benefit to the caregiver. They provide an increased sense of community by introducing parishioners to each other in a joint effort to help another member in need. They also offer the opportunity for church members to introduce themselves to some of our oldest parishioners. It honors them. And it allows direct help to those finishing their earthly life who will soon be meeting Christ.

The care team is a wonderful opportunity for parishioners to become involved in the essence of Christian life in a meaningful way.

Isn't this what being a Christian is supposed to be about? Caring about and for others in the name of God.

If you are interested in joining a care team or know of a parishioner who might benefit from care team help, contact the Rev. Vicky Jamieson-Drake.