Pastoral Ministry

St. John’s has a very active pastoral ministry to promote wholeness and healing among parishioners, empowering them to bring Jesus’ compassion, hope, and justice to all. In addition to the visitation, counseling, prayer and worship services provided by the Rector and Associate Rector, we have an extensive lay ministry that adds a significant dimension to our ability to bring Christ’s message and teaching to all members of our parish, whether or not they are able to attend organized church services.
The members of our Pastoral Commission and the many people who help them are happy to offer their time and talent to enrich the lives of our parish family in many ways. If you know of someone who would benefit from one of the services outlined below, or if you wish to assist in any of these activities, please contact the Parish Office.

•Flower Delivery: Each week, we deliver altar flowers to parishioners in the hospital or ill at home. If you wish to participate in this ministry please contact Peter and Ann Martin, martinpe@embarqmail.com.

•Food for Friends: When parishioners are recovering from surgery or a hospital stay, volunteers bring them meals that can be easily heated and eaten. If you wish to participate in this ministry, please contact Carolyn Freberg, dcfreberg@pa.net.

•Medical Pastoral Visitors: Parishioners, who are also medical professionals, are available on request to visit in hospitals, extended care facilities, or at home and to listen or act as an advocate or facilitator in the healthcare system. For more information and if you would like to participate contact our parish nurse, Kathleen Heicher, kheicher@embarqmail.com.

•Lay Pastoral Visitors: We feel that it is important to visit parishioners who are shut in, live alone, or are in need of a ministry of presence, and a group of volunteers makes it their mission to ensure that these individuals are able to regularly see and talk with someone from the parish. If you would like more information and would like to participate in this event, please contact Carolyn Freberg, dcfreberg@pa.net.

•Lay Eucharistic Visitors: Each Sunday, lay persons from the Congregation take Holy Communion to individuals who are unable to come to church and receive Communion at the Altar rail. If you would like to become a Lay Eucharistic Visitor, please contact the Rector and if you would like to be included on the schedule for a Lay Eucharistic Visitor, please contact, Barbara Jones, bajdij@aol.com.

•Prayer Team: The St. John’s Prayer Team is a group of parishioners that are dedicated to prayer for needs and concerns of the parish. The Prayer Team meets monthly for group prayer to coincide with the Loaves & Fishes luncheon (the last Wednesday of every month about 1:00pm). Anyone interested in joining them is most welcome as are all prayer requests. Please call or email (prayerteam@stjohnscarlisle.org or 717-620-9774) to request prayer or to join the team. Confidentiality is assured. "…….likewise, the spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words." Romans 8:26.

•Men’s Prayer Breakfast: This is a monthly meeting of parish men for fellowship and prayer. The group meets from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. on the third Saturday of the month from September – May. They enjoy breakfast prepared by several of the attended and follow the meal with Bible discussion and prayer.

•Women at the Well: A group of women meet from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month from October through April. The monthly programs offer them an opportunity to enrich their spiritual lives through contemplation and sharing of ideas.
•The Shawl Ministry: This new ministry is a combination of pastoral care, outreach and fellowship. The “Shawl Ministry” creates comforting shawls which are given to those experiencing health and personal challenges. You can learn more about the history behind this movement at the Prayer Shawl Ministry web site: www.shawlministry.com. The St. John's group meets every fourth Tuesday at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. If you wish to help, please contact Doreen Maisano, maisanodoreen@hotmail.com.

•Parish Health Committee: This is an overarching committee that meets periodically to address parish health issues, for more information please contact our parish nurse, Kathleen Heicher, kheicher@embarqmail.com.

•Loaves and Fishes,

The Last Wednesday of every month, we hold a special luncheon for all those who attend the 12:10 healing liturgy. For more information please contact Connie Middleton, cdmidd@comcast.net.

•Transportation: We provide transportation (usually for medical appointments) for those unable to drive themselves. If you are in need of transportation, Connie Middleton, cdmidd@comcast.net, will be able to help you.

•Blood Bank: St. John’s organizes and conducts four blood drives a year—normally the second Thursday in March, June, October, and after December 25. For more information contact, John Newbold, jsn111@embarqmail.com.

Pastoral Visitation Reporting