Prayer & Care Ministry

The Care Team has been active in reaching out to people in hospitals, at home, and at different assisted living and care facilities. We strive to provide support, comfort, love, and prayer to those in need. Our team, which is comprised of 23 active members from different ministries, meets monthly to check in, discuss ways to reach out and make sure there are people who are not falling through the cracks of needed spiritual and physical attention. Members include people from the prayer team, Deacons, Stephen Ministers, Faith Community Nurses, Session, Staff, and members at large. We are always looking at ways to connect to and reach out to those who are in need of the Love of Christ.

Faith Community Nurses

Faith Community Nursing (FCN) is a healthcare ministry designed to identify and address the health needs of the congregation through education, counseling and advocacy. Through the integration of health and faith, this ministry strengthens the church community by focusing on each individual’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and social wellbeing. The goal of FCN is to work, in partnership with the other care ministries, toward establishing the church as a vital resource for health and healing. There are eleven non-paid Registered Professional Nurses whose duties are guided by a Health Committee. The five roles of the Faith Community Nurse are listed below and St. Andrew’s has participated in all areas.

Health Education CPR – 16 certified First Aid – 16 certified Blood Pressure Screens – HUGS - 226 Suzi Anderson Blood Pressure Screens – Second Sunday – 147 Suzi Anderson, Lisa Best, Louise Doran, Jo Kramer, Maureen Noeth, Julie Pentacoff, Roxanne Peterson, Karina Trumbull First Aid boxes replenished – Suzi Anderson Cross Current health articles – 10 Louise Doran, Will Wilkinson Personal Health Counselor – 4 individual counseling – Louise Doran All contacts are confidential Liaison to Community Resources – 4 Louise Doran Medical Equipment Lending Ministry Mary Bauer Equipment loaned – 35 received, 5 donations, 17 returned Medical equipment is lent free of charge to anyone in need. We Care – excess Medical equipment / supplies donated Interfaith Community Services – supplies donated Emerge Domestic Violence pamphlets installed in every toilet stall on campus –Maureen Noeth Organizer / Coordinator of volunteers – Requires matching the individual’s need with the nurse who has that expertise. Interpreter of the relationship between Faith and Health It’s important to strengthen your spiritual self in order to meet the challenge to your physical self. All contacts include not only a discussion of the illness but if desired prayer and healing scripture.

HEAVENLY HOSTS

The Heavenly Hosts activities at St. Andrew’s during 2022: - Fellowship after church on Sundays following the 9:00 am and 10:45 am services. - Fellowship after the 7:30 am service monthly - New Members Class lunches - Serving cider and Christmas cookies after the Christmas concert The Heavenly Hosts greatly appreciate monetary and food donations from the congregation that make it possible to support ministries within the church and outreach to our neighboring schools.

DEACONS

Dear St. Andrew’s Family,

I am pleased to report on the progress of our Deacon’s Ministry over the past year. These dedicated groups of individuals have worked tirelessly to serve and support our community, and I am grateful to be able to share their achievements with you.

First, I would like to highlight the Blood Drive Ministry. This group, led by Julie Pentacoff and Lynne Badegian, was able to recruit a total of 162 individuals to donate blood, potentially saving hundreds of lives in the process. Their tireless efforts and dedication to this important cause are truly admirable.

Next, the Friendship Cards Ministry, under the guidance of Kelly Walsh, Jackie Harms, and Robyn Pizano, sent out a total of 106 cards to those in need of a little extra love and support. Whether it be to offer congratulations, provide comfort, or simply to let someone know they are not alone, these cards have made a meaningful difference in the lives of many.

The Blessing Bags Ministry, led by Merri Kae VanderPloeg, and Jan Foran, has also been hard at work, distributing 750+ bags filled with essential items to those in need within our community. These bags provide a much-needed helping hand to those facing difficult times, and the ministry’s efforts are deeply appreciated by all who have received them.

The Memorial Services Ministry, under the direction of Leo Burkhart and Judy Clement, has assisted in a total of 20 memorials over the past year. These compassionate individuals have offered support and comfort to families during their time of loss, and their presence has been a true blessing to all who have received their assistance. In addition, the Baptism Ministry, under the leadership of Cathy Stevenson and Jackie Harms, has assisted in a total of four baptisms over the past year. It has been a joy to witness these special moments and to support those being baptized on their spiritual journey.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Norm Carlson, Scott Gardner, Russ Maynard, and Robyn Pizano for their help in ensuring that our 13 Communion services ran smoothly. Their willingness to lend a hand made all the difference in creating a meaningful and sacred experience for all who participated.

Finally, the Meal Train Ministry, led by Cathy McGowan, has provided meals for a total of eight families over the past year. Whether it be to offer a helping hand during a time of illness or to provide support to a family in need, the ministry’s efforts have been deeply appreciated by all who have received their assistance.

In conclusion, I am deeply grateful to all of the members of our Deacon’s Ministry who have worked so hard to serve and support our community over the past year. Their selflessness and dedication are an inspiration to us all, and I am proud to be a part of such a compassionate and caring community.

Frank Vidal, Deacon Moderator

In Memoriam

Beverly Antliff, Loren ‘Bud’ Arnold, Frank Bouchard, Jack Comp, Kathryn Conner, Dale Crawford, Joan Davies, Dona Leigh Davis, Joan DuBose, Don Eaton, Joyce Eggericks, Dorothy ‘Dotty’ Martin, Ron Mumford, Mary Quick, Philip Richardson, Gideon Schaeffer, James ‘Jim’ Souter, Gerald ‘Gerry’ Swank, Rev. Pati Toole, Ruth Trask, Ronald Tuuri, Wylie Merrill

Memorial Gifts Received in 2022 in Memory of:

Loren ‘Bud’ Arnold, Dawn Beckley, Frank Bouchard, Jack Comp, Paul Den Herder, Joyce Eggericks, Bill Gross, Dale Marthaler, Wylie Merrill, Ron Mumford, Rev. Dr. Jim and Rev. Pati Toole, Betty Yaeger 21