Pastoral Care at Grace
Pastoral care is a central expression of Christian community and Christian identity, flourishing outward from our Baptismal and Eucharistic life together. It is a vital dimension of our koinonia, or Christian fellowship. Pastoral care lies at the heart of who we are as followers of Jesus Christ: without pastoral care, we would hardly be a congregation.
Who needs pastoral care?
Anyone in any challenging situation, but especially those who are experiencing:
- The death of a loved one
- Illness
- Economic uncertainty
- Birth and adoption
- Marriage, divorce, separation
- Family conflict
- Aging, cognitive decline
- Isolation
- A loved one’s addiction or mental illness
- A spiritual crisis or dilemma
Who provides pastoral care?
Our interim rector, Stephen Crippen, oversees and guides Grace’s Pastoral Care Leadership Team, made up of several lay leaders at Grace. Our Pastoral Care Leadership Team responds to the pastoral care needs of the parish while protecting desired confidentiality.
Not only does Grace’s Pastoral Care Leadership Team provide pastoral care, but each person at Grace is also called upon to care for others. Everyone has special gifts to offer, and each of our gifts becomes pastoral care when carried out in the name of Christ on behalf of the community. Our clergy and Program Ministry Council coordinate the sharing of these gifts.
Pastoral Care Leadership Team
Our interim rector, Stephen Crippen, oversees and guides the Pastoral Care Leadership Team. (If you have questions, or if you have a pastoral care need, please contact Stephen at [email protected], or contact our office to reach another member of the team.)
Current members are
Emily Chamberlain
Shannon Moore
Florrie Munat
Judy Williams
Clergy Care
Stephen Crippen, our interim rector, provides pastoral care to members of Grace Church in partnership with Grace’s Priest Associates, Pastoral Care Leadership Team, and lay Eucharistic Visitors.
In emergencies, including sudden hospitalization or at the time of death: Call Grace Church’s office, 206.842.9997, Monday-Friday, 9:00am to 1:00pm
After office hours, or if you cannot get through to the parish administrator, follow instructions on Grace’s voicemail to get in touch with the Priest on call, or use the parish directory to contact Stephen Crippen by cell phone.
In other circumstances:
Call the office during office hours (see above) to make an appointment with Stephen or a priest associate. If you call when the office is closed, please leave a message that will help us clearly understand your situation and immediate needs.
Home Eucharistic Visits
Stephen coordinates with Grace’s Priest Associates and lay Eucharistic Visitors to make regular home Eucharistic visits, or to pray with and anoint those who, due to serious illness or infirmity, are homebound or in a medical facility.
When requested, Stephen will:
- Offer spiritual direction and counseling
- Offer prayers of thanksgiving for the birth of a child, or other family occasions and
milestones - Offer a blessing of a home, or a service of prayer marking a transition or new season
- Hear confession and offer the Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent
- Meet with a family to prepare for baptism, or with a couple to prepare for marriage
- Connect a Grace Companion – a layperson trained to listen and be present without
suggesting solutions – to a person who would like support or who is going through a difficult transition
Priests Associate
At Grace, we enjoy fellowship with many retired clergy, including: the Rev. Patti Barrett, the Rev. Kate Kinney, the Very Rev. Bill Maxwell, the Rev. Beth Orling, the Rev. Jim Phinney, the Rev. Bill Sell-Lee, and the Rev. Bob Zimmerman.
Image: Kyrie Eleison, Soichi Watanabe
