Pastoral Care at Calvary

Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that He obtained with the blood of His Own Son.

~ Acts 20:28


Pastoral Care is the shared ministry of loving one another, of opening our hearts to the joy and the pain that others experience in their daily lives, of serving as God’s heart and hands here on earth, and ultimately, to guide one another into a relationship with God for eternity. Clergy members are the primary pastoral care givers of the parish, but as we live out our Baptismal vows, each of us is called to this ministry in our relationships with one another. New volunteers are welcome and should contact the lay leaders listed for each ministry.


When to call a priest:

Please notify the Rector at any time of personal crisis, illness, or life-changing event. HIPPA confidentiality laws do not permit hospitals to notify us when you or a loved one are hospitalized. You, your loved ones or care givers need to call us directly.

In case of a pastoral emergency, please call (716) 633-7800. After business hours, call: (716) 263-2392.


The Pastoral Care Team

Led by the Rector and Sharon Jackson, the Pastoral Care Team meets monthly on the first Wednesday of the month at 1:30 to address the on-going needs of the congregation and friends within the community at-large. While our meetings are confidential, we rely upon the members of the parish to alert us when someone is ill and in need of care.  Please contact the parish office (633-7800) with pastoral care needs. 

Lay Eucharistic Visitors

Eucharistic Visitors are the extension of the congregation and the connection to the communion table for those who are not able to attend services at Calvary.  On Easter Sunday 2017, Calvary’s four visitor teams were commissioned to take Holy Communion to the homebound. All Eucharistic Visitors are licensed by the Diocese of WNY and have completed Safe Church Training. (Gluten-free wafers are available upon request.) 

 

Let us know if you or someone you know would like to receive Holy Communion at home.   


The Prayer Shawl Ministry 

One way we share the warmth of the congregation with those who cannot be physically present for services is to provide them with a handmade prayer shawl.  Prayer shawls are delivered by the Eucharistic Visitors, but also are available to others upon request. Let us know if you would like to knit or crochet shawls (we have a large supply of yarn), or if you know of someone who should receive a shawl.  


Contact Sharon Jackson or the parish office

Eucharistic Visitors may download this report form.

 

Congregational Care

The Congregational Care Team sends out cards and small remembrances and makes friendly phone calls to members of the parish and others within our extended community. The Team sends Care packages to our college students and is poised to organize and meet any needs that arise for the members of our flock. Volunteers are welcome to devote as little as a half-hour a month or as much time as desired to this ministry.

  • Healing Meals – When hot soup or a warm casserole are just what the doctor ordered or when a family has suffered a loss, Calvary’s army of helpers will prepare and deliver meals as needed.
  • Rides for Worship and Church Events – A core group of parishioners have been trained as volunteers for Hearts and Hands to provide rides and other help for their service recipients. We encourage our parishioners who live in the Town of Amherst to sign up for services with Hearts and Hands. We will provide assistance to anyone desiring to make this connection, and we will arrange training for parishioners who wish to be volunteers.
  • Pet Ministry – Our newly formed pet ministry seeks a Christian connection with people through their pets. We work to support pet owners, local animal organizations, and to advocate for all of God’s creatures

  • Blessing of the Animals – Held in October in celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Calvary welcomes all creatures great and small (properly crated or leashed, of course!) to a special service and reception honoring the furry, feathery, prickly, or scaly members of our community and commemorating the comfort, joy, and unconditional love they bring to their owners.  
  • Comfort Dog Training – A four-week preparatory class for the test to become a therapy dog has been offered. Arrangements for dogs to take the qualification test for a small fee followed.  Class sizes are limited to 6. 

Contact Elizabeth Harten or the parish office.

The Flower Ministry

The members of the Flower Ministry break down the donated altar flower arrangements into smaller bouquets to be delivered to parishioners who are ill, homebound, or celebrating a special occasion. Always in need of additional volunteers following the 10:00 a.m. service on Sundays or on Monday mornings when there is a Sunday evening service, this ministry brings great joy to everyone served.


Contact Ellie Yuhasz or the parish office.

The Prayer Chain

The Prayer Chain quietly, confidentially, and promptly responds to all prayer requests that come to us directly from parishioners, from the clergy, or from submitted Prayer Request Cards located in the pews.

 

Anyone may request prayers by filling out a Prayer Request Card found in the pews, by calling the parish office at 633-7800, or by emailing general@calvaryepiscopal.net


Contact George Mayer or the parish office

Funeral Receptions

This most compassionate ministry is available to families, regardless of their affiliation with Calvary, following a funeral or memorial service held at the church. 


Contact Karen Davidson or the parish office, 633-7800  

Good Grief

This peer support group is for those who have suffered a loss—any loss:  a loved one, a job, a marriage/relationship, health…

 

Come to listen or come to talk. Come to cry or try to laugh… Come join the group to lighten the heaviness in your heart—and know that you are in the presence of others who understand and are confident in the knowledge that God loves you, no exceptions. People of any - or no - denomination are welcome.


Good Grief usually meets at 9:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of the month. Check the calendar.


Contact Ellen Marshall or Patty Rooss or the parish office.