Inreach Ministries

”If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26-27)

The Inreach Ministry’s mission is to ensure that parishioners have opportunities to care for one another, share with each other and continue their spiritual journey. We, as a church, realize that there are times in our lives when we are blessed by receiving God’s love through others – when we are ill, recovering from a surgery, coming home after delivering a child, mourning the loss of a loved one – times that we could use a little extra help in addition to what our families and close friends can provide. Inreach strives to fill these needs.

Pastoral Care

Our Pastoral Care ministry is focused on nurturing our parish members through ongoing support provided by our clergy and lay people. Through the pastoral care provided by St. Philip’s, we demonstrate our calling to serve our church community in Christ’s name.

Pastoral care is about participating with each other in life’s journey — in times of celebration and joy, as well as in times of crisis and sadness. A major portion of our Pastoral Care ministry is provided by our priest, Rev Marlene Forrest, by tending to the sick and dying, the suffering and the bereaved. She also provides counseling to those preparing for baptism, confirmation, marriage and other key life events. Contact the church office or send an email to the pastoral care email with news of an illness, a death, a birth or a request for support from our church. 

Pastoral Care Email: pastoralcare@stphilipsrva.org

What Is Our Vision For This Ministry?

Our vision for this ministry is to increase our pastoral presence in the form of shepherd groups that regularly “check-in” with group members and in helping newcomers settle into our parish. Our ongoing care of each other helps us to truly experience Christ in community.

Eucharist For the Homebound

Our Lay Eucharist Ministers take and administer consecrated bread and wine to members who are unable to be present at our weekly Eucharistic services. Our Helping Hands team prepares and delivers nutritious, home-cooked meals to our parish members during times of illness and as part of on-going care for our seniors.

Training Requirements:

• Eucharistic Visitor Requirements & Application
• Misconduct Prevention (online class and in-person class schedule)
• An excellent training packet from the Diocese of California

Transportation Ministry

The Transportation Team shuttles homebound folks to church and back home on Sunday mornings. Our bus has a hydraulic wheelchair lift and room for 12 people (wheelchairs included!). If you would like to have transportation to church on Sunday mornings, please contact the church office at 321-1266. Our church administrative assistant will contact Nathaniel’s team. They will then contact you to make arrangements to pick you up that Sunday.

How Can I Help?

• Assistance is needed getting people off of the bus at church, as well as gathering and assisting people back on the bus for home departure.
• At least one volunteer to ride along to assist parishioners with ambulatory challenges to allow the driver to remain with the bus.

This is our opportunity to serve those who have served us for so many decades! It is also a way to help newcomers who have no way to church to come and build community with St. Philip’s. Thank you to everyone who has helped this beloved ministry.

Nathaniel Lewis is our Transportation Team leader.