Our Pastoral Care ministry responds to the call to serve those in need in our congregation. Our purpose is to make way for the divine Spirit to move in, through and among us by reaching out with compassion and love. Our activities include -
Visiting: Spend quality time with individuals who are home-bound, hospitalized, or dealing with other personal challenges.
Seasonal visits: Visits around Christmas and Easter to present a small plant and a card.
Check-ins: Periodic phone calls to reconnect with people, to get updates and to assess the need for assistance.
Small group ministry: Monthly informal worship programs and sharing time held at sharing time held at Berwick (Comox), and Glacier View Lodge with the assistance of congregation members.
Cards: Personalized cards sent to individuals, couples and families observing special life events or facing challenges.
Prayer Chain: Prayers offered regularly as requested by individuals.
Special Events: Present or host congregational events that address pastoral concerns such as advance care planning and dealing with dementia.
Healing Touch: Sponsorship of the Hospice healing touch sessions at our church for cancer care patients. [Scroll down to read a News article about this clinic]
Caregiver Retreat: We sponsored our third Caregiver Retreat on the shores of the Salish Sea in May 2023. This is offered to congregation members (and friends of the congregation, if we don't have enough to fill the retreat with 12 participants) as a 2-day responsibility-free break from taking care of their loved ones with dementia or other debilitating conditions. A few group activities are planned but are not compulsory. This is meant to be a short, restoring break for the caregivers themselves.
The Comox Valley Hospice Society offers free Advance Care Planning workshops to the community on a regular basis. Advance Care Planning is making decisions about the healthcare you would want to receive if you are ever unable to speak for yourself.
These decisions are based on personal goals, values and preferences. and include discussions with healthcare providers and loved ones.
These practical and informative workshops explain the importance of documenting personal wishes for future healthcare and describe how to complete a Representation Agreement.
For information on upcoming workshops, please call the Hospice office at 250-339-5533 or by email at reception@comoxhospice.com.
For further information about our Pastoral Care Ministry, please contact Noreen Robertson via email at noreenr1944@gmail.com.