Congregational Care

Congregational Care’s 13 ministry teams and actively involved volunteers (over 200 volunteers in 2022!) comprise a vibrant yet perhaps “hidden from view” Westminster outreach. Many of the recipients of our care, are members unable to attend church services, activities or classes, due to circumstances beyond their control. The causes may be short lived or longer in duration: hospitalizations, illness, or PT and rehab lasting weeks post-surgery; the joy of welcoming a newborn, or a family or managing a growing family and work; others grieving the loss of a loved one; some caring for family members with memory loss or chronic illness. For many, the pandemic has resulted in loneliness and a sense invisibility or separation from community and from God.

Congregational Care addresses the many—often multiple—needs of our members, from birth through life’s passing, caring for the newest among us to those who have enhanced the life of the church throughout their own long lives. Along with love, support, dedicated prayer and presence, we deliver tangible gifts, symbols of the promise that our isolated members forever remain remembered and a vital member of the church family: meals and care packages, prayer blankets and flowers, Communion @Home kits, cards, books and palmsized crosses that carry us through grief, and medical equipment. Despite the pandemic and necessary precautions, Congregational Care continues to be creative and resilient in its care for this, the body of Christ that is Westminster Presbyterian Church.

We don’t all have the same gifts, yet God needs our combined gifts for the wellbeing of the community God intends. You and your schedule might limit you to a single delivery of Communion@Home kits to those unable to invite Elders inside to share the sacrament. You might have time to prepare one meal for a family welcoming a newborn, or maybe the freedom to prepare meals regularly for those in need. You may feel the call to the prayer team, or visiting folks in the hospital, or assembling a care package. Your gift may be making bouquets from the gorgeous arrangements in the Sanctuary, bouquets that will be delivered to our homebound. Your gift may be mentoring new parents, while others may find companionship with our folks in assisted living as a pastor’s aide to those mostly homebound. Each and every gift is needed—you are needed!

If you would like to know more about the many ways of care within WPC, or if you or someone you know needs help, assistance, a phone call, or a shower chair, please contact Heidi H-B (615-292- 5526, hhudnutbeumler@nashvillewpc.org, or Sylvia Leins (srleins@yahoo.com).

CARE TEAMS: Bereavement, Caring Connections, Communion@Home, Families with Young Children, Adjunct Meals Team for New Baby Families and Other Young Families in Times of Need, Hospital Visitation, Independent Living, The Lending Closet, Pastor’s Aides, Prayer Blankets & Shawls, Prayer Ministry, Special Care, Special Meals, and Worship Flower Delivery Ministry.

Sylvia Leins, chair
Glen Davidson
Ward DeWitt III
Kim Crafton
Catie Lee 

George Luscombe
Elizabeth Trabue
Frank Wade
Elaine Williams
Rhea Bucy

Emily Coleman
Heidi Hudnut-Beumler, staff