Care for Our Members
Prayer Ministry
Being a community that truly cares for each other is crucial to us around here. One of the ways we do that is by being intentional in praying for other folks in the congregation. That’s why every week a group of us come together to pray for everyone on our church-wide prayer list. And we’d love to have you join us.
We gather every Monday from 3:30-4:00 pm on Zoom. You can just listen if you want, you don’t have to participate every week.and you don’t need special training or experience. To learn more and get involved, contact us.
Care and Calling.
We also care for other folks in this congregation through a group we call Care and Calling. Henri Nouwen, the priest and spiritual writer once said that having true compassion involves going “…where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish.” That belief is at the heart of this collective of thirty-five church members who’ve dedicated themselves to helping care for other members.
After being trained and commissioned, our Care and Calling ministers provide spiritual support, comfort, and friendship to others in the church who have lost loved ones, are homebound, hospitalized, dealing with chronic illness, living out-of-state, living in care facilities, undergoing therapy, or, for whatever reason, are particularly in need of a tangible expression of Christ’s love.
They do that in lots of different ways – through in-person visits, phone calls or texts, by sending cards, or bringing flowers, but mostly by being a compassionate presence and practicing compassionate listening. Pastor Jeffrey Phillips and Dr. Carol Jansson, a clinical psychologist, co-coordinate Care and Calling, along with a strong leadership team.
Throughout the year, we also provide educational opportunities for our Care and Calling ministers, and for others who are providing care for loved ones and may be in need of support. And each year, in April, we also celebrate and thank our group members through a Spring Luncheon.
Questions about Care and Calling? Contact Rev. Jeffrey Phillips by phone at (847) 636-6111 or through email.
Some of the things our Care and Calling ministry does:
The Doctor Is In!
Dr. Carol Jansson is available for a one-time confidential consultation with church members who have a problem and don’t know where to turn. Carol can direct them to appropriate resources and services. Contact Carol at (847) 507-8635.
Transportation Ministry
WCC partners with GoGoGrandparent to provide free rides to and from church for any WCC member. Just call (855) 464-6872 and register with GoGoGrandparent under the Winnetka Congregational Church partnership. Then tell them you need a ride to WCC.
Meal Ministry
Often, when you’re going through a difficult time or deep loss, cooking is the last thing you have energy for. So we provide hot meals for anyone in the congregation that needs them - as long and as frequently as needed. Call Mary Reynolds at (847) 641-2647.
Card Ministry
These days, when we communicate so much through email and text, getting a card in the mail can really make a difference. So we make sure notecards, with personal, handwritten messages are sent to church members on the 6-month and one-year observances of the death of a loved one.
Flower Ministry
Each Sunday, the flowers that grace our sanctuary are shared with those who need a reminder that their church is thinking about them, even if they weren’t able to be in worship. To learn more, contact Ann Walper at 847-334-1090.
Poinsettia Party
One Sunday during Advent each year, members of the congregation are invited to pick up a poinsettia and take it, along with a card signed by all church members, to someone in the church who could use some holiday cheer.
Lily Distribution
After worship on Easter, church members are invited to come forward and pick up an Easter plant and take it to someone on our care list.
Jobs Ministry
During this time of high unemployment, we offer help for those in our congregation (and their close family members) who may be unemployed, underemployed, or facing the possibility of job loss. This is also for partners who are needing to return to the workforce due to the challenging economic situation. To learn more, reach out to Brad McLane: mclaneb@comcast.net.