The ministry of Pastoral Care provides assistance, companionship, and loving care in the name of Jesus Christ within our cathedral family. This care flows naturally out of those who have encountered the unconditional love of Christ in their own lives, who have received kindness through the attentiveness of another in a time of crisis or celebration. While clergy actively visit and pray with parishioners in need, there are a variety of lay ministries within the Pastoral Care Commission, and we encourage you to explore them below and to contact the coordinators if you would like to volunteer. If you would like to place someone on our prayer list, or are expecting the birth of a child, or would like to speak with someone about making funeral arrangements, please contact a member of the clergy.

If you have a pastoral need, please contact the Very Rev. Anne Maxwell or call the St. Andrew’s Emergency number to reach the clergy member on-call, 601-354-5794.

The Very Rev. Anne Maxwell, Dean
601.487.2734
amaxwell@standrewscathedral.org

Lay Pastoral Ministry

By this shall the world know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.  John 13:35

The team coordinates pastoral care with the clergy. Each week two ministers are listed in the Epistle as the “LPMs on call.” All are welcome at all times to call clergy, with our LPMs as an additional resource for care. The Dean assigns tasks each week and care is documented in a confidential app we have especially for this ministry. LPMs are not meant to replace the wonderful ministries that we already have but coordinate and expand our capability to care for one another.

If you have questions about Lay Pastoral Ministry, contact Dean Maxwell at amaxwell@standrews.ms.

Guild of the Christ Child

Whoever receives a child in my name receives me… Matthew 18:5

Parishioners awaiting the birth or adoption of a child are accompanied by volunteers from the Guild of the Christ Child.  A guild member checks in with the family during the time of expectation, and following the child’s arrival and return home, visits the family with a meal and a gift for the new child (prepared by St. Clare’s Common Threads).  The guild member also provides information about baptism, nursery hours, and children’s formation programs at the cathedral.

A member of the clergy will visit with the family at the hospital to pray before and after a delivery.

Crystal Secoy, Coordinator

• Let us know you are awaiting the birth or adoption of a child at this link.
• If you would like to volunteer with the Guild of the Christ Child, please sign-up here.

Clarence Tree

We’ve got to stick together, though.  We’ve got to have faith in each other.  ~George Bailey

Named for the memorable angel in the classic movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, the Clarence Tree is placed in the nave early in the season of Advent and hung with the names of homebound and senior parishioners.  Volunteers are asked to select a name and remember that person during Advent with a small gift, a visit, or a card.

Eucharistic Visitors

 We who are many are one body, because we share one bread, one cup.

 We send out Lay Eucharistic Visitors from our 8:45 am service every Sunday to take communion to parishioners who are homebound.  The congregation prays for the visitors and for those who will receive communion from them.  Visitors take a copy of the Sunday service bulletin and sleeve, and are provided with a special service order to read when they share communion.

Rev. Deacon Sarah Stripp, Deacon
sstripp@standrewscathedral.org

St. Michael’s and All Angels Guilds

For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.  2 Corinthians 1:5

St. Michael’s Guild volunteers tend families and friends during visitations held at the cathedral.  They help direct visitors to where the family is gathered, or to the nave for the service, and provide for the family’s needs throughout the time of the visitation.

All Angels volunteers prepare and serve a meal following in our Parish Hall following the service, if the family desires it.  Menus and recipes are available for this simple lunch of sandwiches and salads.

Ann Anderson, St. Michael’s Guild Coordinator
annlintonanderson@gmail.com

Sharon Rhoden, All Angels Guild Coordinator
trhoden2@comcast.net

Parish Visitors

For I was sick, and you visited me…truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.  Matthew 25:36-40

Our Parish Visitors are volunteers who visit, call, or send notes to sick, homebound, hospitalized, and senior members of our cathedral family.  Each visitor is assigned one or two people with whom they make regular contact, sharing the love and support of the cathedral family.

Mail Trails

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Corinthians 1:2

A copy of our Sunday service bulletin, the Sleeve (containing calendar and announcements) and a printed copy of the sermon are mailed or delivered to homebound parishioners every week.  We welcome volunteers willing to help fold and stuff materials.  Please contact Laurie McCarley in the church office.

St. Clare’s Common Threads

I want their hearts to be encouraged and knit together in love… Colossians 2:2

If you use needles and thread, or yarn, or if you wish to learn, you are invited to become part of St. Clare’s Common Threads.  This guild of knitters, crocheters, and needleworkers gathers regularly to stitch, pray, and share fellowship with one another.  Members may work on their own projects, or assist with the making of baby blankets and quilt squares given to parishioners expecting the birth or adoption of a child.  Other guild projects have included the stitching of prayer shawls to be given to parishioners in time of need, wrapping them in the love and prayer of our community of faith, and newborn caps to be donated to area hospitals.

Susan Nix, Coordinator
suenix@aol.com

Prayer Chains

Pray in the Spirit at all times…and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.  Ephesians 6:18

Prayer Chain volunteers are committed to holding the special needs and concerns of the congregation in daily prayer.  All prayer requests made to the prayer chains are confidential.

To add a name to our prayer chains, to volunteer as a prayer chain member, or toadd a name to our prayer lists read aloud on Sunday mornings and during the week at our noonday services, please contact the coordinator below.

Melissa Crouch, Coordinator
crouchm62@gmail.com