“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace”
1 Peter 4:10
The vision and mission for Pastoral Care is to celebrate life’s joys and bear one another’s burdens and sorrows in fulfillment of God’s command to love one another as God loves us. We seek to connect and provide a network of care in times of need. If you are interested in volunteering or receiving care from any of the below ministries, please reach out to the Rev. Thomas Szczerba.
Clergy Support
The clergy of St. David’s are committed to the spiritual and emotional support of this congregation please do not hesitate to let us know if you or someone you know needs pastoral care. It could be a hospital visit, phone call, home communion, prayer, anointing, etc. Please call us any time at 610.688.7947 and choose 3 for the clergy on call, or send us an email.
Request for Prayers
It is a blessing to add our prayers to yours. Your request for prayer will be forwarded to our Prayer Companions. The name that you offer will remain on our list for one month. Please use this form again if you wish to renew the request.
Please Note:
- Prayer requests are not automatically added to the Prayers of the People at our Sunday services. If you wish for this request to be added, please call Dina Harvey at 610-688-7947, ext. 203 or send her an email with the details of your request.
- Parishioners requesting pastoral visits or calls for themselves or family members: please call the church at 610-688-7947 and speak with a member of the Pastoral Care Staff.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is a ministry in which trained and supervised lay persons provide one-to-one Christian care to individuals facing life challenges.
For more information about the Stephen Ministry, please contact Clayton Platt by email.
Who is involved?
Stephen Leaders are the ones who oversee and direct our Stephen Ministry. They recruit, select, train, organize and supervise our Stephen Ministers and identify people in need of care and match them with a Stephen Minister.
Stephen Ministers are the caregivers. They have been through 50 hours of training in Christian caregiving, including general topics such as listening, feelings, boundaries, assertiveness and using Christian resources in caregiving. In addition, their training covers specialized topics such as ministering to the divorced, hospitalized, bereaved and aging.
Care receivers are the recipients of Stephen Ministers’ care. They are people from our church or outside of our parish who are experiencing divorce, grief, loss of job, loneliness, hospitalization, terminal illness, or any of an endless number of other life difficulties. Stephen Ministers usually meet with their care receivers once a week for about an hour for as long as the care receiver will benefit from the relationship.
Are Stephen Ministers counselors?
Stephen Ministers are not counselors. They are trained lay caregivers. Their role is to listen and care, not to give advice or counsel. Stephen Ministers are also trained to recognize when a care receiver’s needs exceed what they can provide. When that happens they work with care receivers to help them receive the level of care they really need.
Is my relationship with a Stephen Minister confidential?
Trust is essential to a caring relationship, and Stephen Ministers are people you can trust. Confidentiality is one of the most important principles of Stephen Ministry, and what a care receiver tells his or her Stephen Minister is kept in the strictest confidence.
Caring Ministries
Care Cards, Birthday Cards, and Baptismal Gifts
Cards are sent to parishioners needing encouragement or marking a celebration. A Baptism Book is sent to our parish newborns and their parents.
Career Transition Ministry
This ministry gives advice on matters of finance and resume building from a Christian perspective.
Care to Caregivers
This group of volunteers reaches out to support those who regularly care for a loved one in need, such as an ailing spouse or parent.
Caring Meals
Meals are delivered to parishioners identified by our clergy as needing support and encouragement.
Driving Angels
Volunteers drive parishioners to church services or programs, to doctor or other medical appointments. New volunteers are always welcome!
Eucharistic Visitors
Volunteers visit with and share the sacrament of Holy Eucharist with parishioners who cannot be present with us at Sunday worship.
Flower Ministry
Needleworks Guild
This Ministry provides hand-knitted caps for newborns and oncology patients, prayer shawls, and prayer squares for parishioners and those in the hospital.
Online Bereavement Groups
These groups are an excellent source of support for people who are suffering the heartbreak of losing someone they love. We do not use a specific book or curriculum; rather we share our hearts and simply trust what emerges. Attendees are never asked to commit to any particular time frame. We have widows and widowers, parents, and siblings… the one thing we all have in common is a heart that has been broken by the death of someone who was dearly loved. The groups are composed of empathetic people who all are aware of each other’s fragile emotions. Confidentiality is valued and respected.
If you are interested in joining the group, and need the Zoom link, please contact Domenica Rafferty.
Prayer Companions
Prayer Companions is a prayer ministry in which fellow parishioners pray for our St. David’s family members who are seeking God’s grace, help, and blessings in all of life’s circumstances. St. David’s Prayer Companions are all inspired by God’s Living Word and by our mission statement, to know God in Jesus Christ and to make God known to others.
Requests will be forwarded immediately to the prayer companions who are committed to pray daily for these needs for the duration of the request. All requests are held in strict confidence. If you request a prayer for one other than yourself, please be certain that he or she desires the request be made and agrees to have it posted and shared. If you prefer to make any request known only to a member of the clergy, please call 610.688.7947 and choose 3.
St. David’s Friends
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
St. David’s Friends is a ministry of sharing God’s love for us with one of our own. When we share the Peace of the Lord our response is, “Also with you”. Thus, we are sharing God’s loving relationship for us with our worship community of friends.
As a St. David’s Friend, you will visit a parishioner, who needs encouragement and companionship. You will supply a fresh cup of water of life, a smile, a listener, and nonjudgmental friendship. St. David’s Friends is a ministry of sharing God’s love for us with a fellow parishioner.
To become a St. David’s Friend, please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba.
“I have been a St. David’s friend for close to decade and those that I have had the pleasure of visiting with have elevated my personal loving relationship with God and deep affection for each parishioner (friend) I have visited. As a member of our St. Daivid’s community, you already have friends. At some point, for whatever reason your friend may need your companionship. Living in our loving community you have a pathway available for you to become a St. David’s Friend. ” – Rob White
Walking the Mourner’s Path
We believe grieving is not lack of faith, but a natural part of living. Walking the Mourner’s Path is a Christ-centered, non-denominational grief support program. Our purpose is to help those who are grieving transform their grief into joyful living. The course consists of 90-minute classes and runs for eight consecutive weeks. Each session has two facilitators plus a member of the clergy present.
Walking the Mourner’s Path is open to the community. We welcome you to join us whether you are a member of St. David’s or not. Please fill out the online interest form by clicking on the link below. You will then be contacted by one of the facilitators who will help you decide what timing is right for you to join the course and give you more details about time, place, and payment options.
Service Bulletin Ministry
Sunday service leaflets/bulletins and print out of the weekly Clergy Letter are mailed to shut-in parishioners. Sermons are available to watch or listen to on the website and our YouTube channel. Contact the office to be added to the bulletin/Clergy Letter mailing list.