First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke Rapids, NC
16 East Fifth Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC   27870
252-537-4018,  252-537-9041(Fax),  office@fpcrr.com

Pastoral Care Committee

Our Committee function is very important to all our fellow congregational members and prospective members but we can’t do our job without your help. Please alert us as to special needs of our members and visitors by telling one of the following session members: Margo Allen, at 537-7079, Grace Fishel, Dr. Bill Brown, or Dennis Gaylor. Roni Hackenburg is the assistant to the moderator and she can be contacted at 537-4487. Other committee members are Susan Gaylor, Marie Anderson, Carolyn Crawford and Faye Graham.

The Pastoral Care Committee / Board of Deacons shall be composed of one half of the members of the board of deacon, with two members of this board being selected as co-chairmen.  Additional at-large church members are to be added to the committee as needed.  All members of the board of deacons will be expected to participate in caregiving training and receive caregiving assignments, but this committee will provide leadership and coordination.  The pastor shall serve as liaison between this committee and the session’s committee on pastoral care, reporting the progress of the care giving to the session on a monthly basis.

The responsibility of the committee is to lead the board of deacons in fulfilling its primary duty with regard to the congregation as described in the Book of Order.

It is the duty of deacons first of al. to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. (G-6.0402)

Furthermore, the committee will work with the session’s committee on pastoral care in equipping the congregation to be a caregiving community, as outlined in the Book of Order.

The Christian community offers pastoral care to ifs members in the personal and communal life. The church may provide different levels of the mutual ministry of care.

All Christians are called to care for one another in daily living, sharing Joys and sorrows, supporting in time of stress and need, offering mutual forgiveness and reconciliation. This care isprimarib92 offered as the community of faith worships together.  It is also provided as people interact in community and as they come together in groups for nurture or to carry on ministries of the church. Elders. deacons, and pastors are called to special responsibility for this common pastoral care. (W-6.3001-2)

The pastor will train this committee and give its members and the rest of the deacons caregiving assignments each month.  Direct supervision of this committee and its work will be provided by the pastor.

Specific pastoral needs to receive attention include:

I.    Occasion of loss

·        Death of family member or friend

·        Loss of power

·        Fading away of important relationship

·        Departure of children from home

·        Loss of meaningful employment, means of livelihood or financial security

·        Ending of marriage in separation or divorce

·        Loss of home and independence - moving to retirement of nursing home

II.   Broken Relationships - healing and support for those caught up in hurts, hostilities, and conflicts of daily living in

·        Family and households

·        Schools

·        Workplace

·        Neighborhood and community

·        Church

This includes providing opportunities for confession, repentance, assurance of God’s mercy, and reconciliation.

III.  Occasions of Transition

·        Children being born, growing up, becoming independent and then finding their aging parents to be dependent upon them

·        Beginning work, changing job (lateral, promotion, demotion, dismissal, layoffs), retirement.

·        Households being established, moved, broken up

IV.  Illness and Injury

·        Surgery - preparation for as well as recovery

·        Other hospitalization

·        Home care for terminally ill

(See Book of Order W-6.3005 - 6.30 10)