The All Saints Pastoral Care ministry is dedicated to the mind, body, and spirit of the parish.
Parish Visitation Ministry
“I was sick and you visited me, I was confined and you came to me.” (see Matthew 25:36)
The parish visitors take seriously our Christian profession of faith in the “Communion of Saints.” Through prayers, visits, telephone calls, and small, everyday acts of kindness, they maintain our vital connection with parishioners and others who are confined to homes, hospitals, and rehab facilities. These ministers do not just deliver a consoling service, but maintains a real relationship with these brothers and sisters, providing tangible evidence that we love them and offering opportunities for them to continue playing an important role in parish life.
It is not the purpose of the parish visitors to nurture these relationships so others do not have to; rather, they are a step toward re-establishing connections with the wider parish, especially across generational lines, to form a network of caring and attentiveness. They are the eyes and ears of our parish family, identifying needs and helping those needs get met.
If you notice that a familiar face has not been in church for a while, reach out to them. Revive a friendship. Or strike up a new one. Whether a new friend or an old one, and whatever the need, the parish visitors can support you with resources, ideas, information, and assistance.
If you have room in your heart for an absent brother or sister, there is room for you in this ministry!
To join, or for more information, or to let us know about someone who might need a visit, please contact Linda Hall in person, by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or by calling 301-654-2488.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministrers provide Christ-centered care to those who need and want supportive companionship in the midst of a crisis or ongoing difficulties — for example:
- bereavement
- physical sickness
- medical issues and decisions
- divorce, separation, or other relationship issues
- loneliness, isolation, or discouragement
- spiritual matters
- unemployment or loss of income
- aging or infirmity
- birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertiliity
- relocation
- disasters
- mental illness or emotional distress
- conflicts or stress at home, at work, at school, or in other areas of life
— or just about anything else that may be on your mind and heart. Stephen Ministers cannot fix your problems or give you advice or direction about how to fix them, but they are ready and willing to stand by you unswervingly in any situation in which you could benefit from one-on-one care.
Stephen Ministers operate under the supervision and authority of the clergy and pastoral staff of the parish. Your interactions with your Stephen Minister are held in strict confidence.
Individuals are invited to explore Stephen Ministry after a careful discernment process. The important qualities of a Stephen Minister are: strong faith; spiritual, psychological, and relational maturity; appropriate spiritual gifts; discipline; an ability to uphold a commitment to a sustained relationship even under challenging circumstances; and a welcoming attitude toward supervision, continuing education, and collaboration with the other pastoral ministries of the parish. They have demonstrated themselves to be above reproach, trustworthy, discreet, compassionate individuals who have been recognized by the clergy, parish staff, and other Stephen Ministers as fruitful co-workers in the task of caring for the Body of Christ.
Those who are called to Stephen Ministry undergo 50 hours of intensive training. Nevertheless, they are not professional or paraprofessional counselors, therapists, coaches, or advisors; even Stephen Ministers who are qualified to do so do not utilize their professional expertise in the Stephen Ministry relationship. Rather, they remain fellow parishioners with hearts and minds willing to listen, care, pray, encourage, and speak the truth as faithful and undemanding friends in the face of life's trials, great and small.
If you would benefit from the care of Stephen Minister, or wish to learn more, please contact any of the clergy or Linda Hall in person, via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 301-654-2488.
Soup for Saints
This program provides soup that is taken to sick, homebound, and convalescent parishioners. Volunteers sign to make approximately one gallon of delicious and nutritious soup during a given month, which they deliver to the church kitchen to be frozen until delivered by Parish Visitors, Stephen Ministers, or clergy. Containers, labels, and instructions are provided. This wonderful outreach program is joyfully received by those it serves!
To get involved, please contact Judy Toland at 202-362-7965.
Transportation
Volunteers are always needed to provide rides to parishioners who cannot drive to church services or other events. Call Adol Owen-Williams at 301-963-9444.
Health and Wellness Ministry
Through his ministry of healing and his deep compassion for the suffering, Jesus made it clear that God cares for our whole person. Saint Paul reminded the Corinthians that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19), and should be treated accordingly.
Our Health and Wellness Ministry helps us stay healthy by integrating concern for physical and mental health into our comprehensive ministry of pastoral care.
This ministry focuses on education, promoting awareness about specific health concerns, disseminating information, and organizing events such as a flu shot clinic, blood drives, training classes, lectures, and workshops. The range of topics includes nutrition, aging, mobility, hygiene, and disease prevention. In addition, our Health and Wellness MInister, Linda Hall, serves as a consultant and source of information and referrals to the parish, the pastoral staff, families, and individuals.
Look and listen for announcements about health and wellness, and check the Health and Wellness bulletin board for updated postings.
For further information, contact Linda Hall, R.N., F.C.N., in person, by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 301-654-2488.
If you have questions or want more details about pastoral care at All Saints, ...
Contact the responsible individual (listed above), or Fr. Tom Malionek.