Pastoral Care

A team of Lay Pastoral Visitors together with the rector and deacon reach out to members of our parish family who are ill, especially those who are unable to come to worship services and other church events, and therefore need pastoral care.  On a consistent basis, those who are ill or confined to their homes or assisted living residences are brought reserved sacrament, altar flowers, or, on the feasts of Christmas and Easter, poinsettia plants and lilies that adorned the altar.   All this is part of our commitment to sustain St. Paul’s Church as a faith community of heart and compassion.   

Shawl Ministry

As a beautiful expression and extension of pastoral care, this new ministry was instituted in March 2007 and is an offshoot of the larger Shawl-Knitting Ministry which was begun nearly ten years ago by Vicky Gallo and Janet Bristow, graduates of the Women’s Leadership Institute at The Hartford Seminary in Connecticut. Having encountered the empowerment and wisdom of the archetype, the Divine Feminine, these women wanted to develop a project which could carry on the spirit of all they had learned.  They felt that gathering groups of women to knit shawls for those in need would certainly help carry on that spirit.  Most women were taught by mothers and grandmothers – so it is indeed a ministry of connecting to each other, to those who will receive the shawls, as well as to the past, present and future.  

This wonderful tradition continues on the first Monday evening of each month and three faith communities take part.  Knitters of the Church of the Atonement are joined by knitters in All Saints Church in Leonia and St. Paul’s in Englewood, where the group actually meets, since it is located between the other two churches.  Guests from other local Shawl Ministry groups visit as well.  Each evening consists of knitting in an atmosphere of prayer and sharing.  Instruction is available.   

For additional information, feel free to call the Reverend Joanne O’Neill, Deacon, at the Church office.