Caring Connection is a lay pastoral care team of fellow church members providing companionship and listening during times of need. They also coordinate spiritual care with our minister and assist with finding community and professional resources. Our associates offer a confidential, compassionate, and listening presence. Associates have been trained by the minister and coordinator and meet regularly and receive continuing education in relevant issues. The coordinators for the 2024-2025 church year are Barbara Byrne and Cara Martinez-Williams.
REFERRALS
The purpose of lay pastoral care is to assist UCH members in life changing situations. Naturally, they can only assist if they know that someone needs help. Please contact the Caring Connection for yourself or other UCH members in any of the following life-changing situations:
- People who are hospitalized
- People who are grieving a loss
- People who are separated or divorcing
- People in need of long term care
- People who are terminally ill
- People experiencing job loss
- People experiencing financial struggle
- People facing legal difficulties
- People experiencing abuse
- People adjusting to life-changing situations, and/or
- People with a family member in prison.
Connection Request
If you would like to connect with a member of the team, complete this form and someone will be in touch with you as soon as possible!
SHARING YOUR JOYS AND SORROWS
UCH members are encouraged to share their joys and sorrows.
We offer “Joy and Sorrow” cards for those entering the sanctuary, so you can complete one and place it in the basket provided, either before the service or during the meditation. Please include your name, and if you are not a member, your contact information, and tell us whether it may be shared during the service.
** Submit your joys and/or sorrow online by Friday morning to be read during the service on the following Sunday.
Heart Song
My mom has never been one for Christmas carolers, seeing the songs as trite and the ritual not very meaningful to her. But the day Heart Song filled her room with UU hymns, she felt truly uplifted. Declining health prevents attendance at church so church came to her, right in the comfort of her nursing home suite. As her daughter and former choir member, I was able to join right in. It’s hard to capture the power of music in a paragraph but, suffice to say, the choir struck all the right chords. We all sang because we were moved to happiness that day. Heartfelt thanks to all of you who offer this gift to those in need. ~ Kendra
Heart Song is our compassionate choir, working closely with the Caring Connection team. Rather than performance-based, the aim is to provide healing through the power of music. When requested, we visit members at home or in the hospital for a 15-20 minute sing. The majority of music is selected from our hymnals, catered specifically to the individual we are singing to. Rehearsals are scheduled prior to a visit and we always welcome new members. To request a singing visit or join Heart Song, please email Yvonne at yduval@uchbg.org.
