Pastoral Ministry Commission

Through pastoral ministries, St. Timothy’s reaches out to members of our parish in caring ways. Presently there are six pastoral ministries including The Order of St. Luke the Physician, Notes of Care, Prayer Chain, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Prayer Shawls and Stephen Ministry. The Prayer Shawl ministry also reaches out to members of the general community, as well as to St. Timotheans. Each ministry has methods to ensure that confidentiality is maintained. This is a core concept of these ministries of our parish.

Ask God..is this where I am to serve? Pastoral Ministries Commission team members are Doug Proffitt, Gail Cudworth, Craig Stark, Hillary Gaebler, Larry Anderson, Kathy Widelski and Beverly Blaha. Feel free to email them or give them a call.

Psalm 23:3

The King of love my shepherd is, Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his, And he is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow, My ransomed soul he leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow, With food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, But yet in love he sought me,
And on his shoulder gently laid, And home, rejoicing, brought me

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill With thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spread’st a table in my sight; Thy unction grace bestoweth;
And O what transport of delight From thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise Within thy house for ever.

Amen (1982 Hymnal No. 645)

Ministries in the Pastoral Care Commission

Order of St. Luke the Physician
The Order of St. Luke the Physician is a world-wide interdenominational body of Christians who believe the healing of the body, mind and spirit is a vital part of the total ministry of Jesus Christ.  In the Des Moines area, the Living Water Chapter includes members from several denominations, although most of its members are from Episcopal churches.  The chapter meets at 7:00 PM on the third Monday of each month at various Episcopal churches to share experiences, provide time for reflection, study, anointing and intercessory prayer.  The chapter has sponsored workshops and guest speakers to talk about healing in a variety of settings.
Contact:  Craig Stark 222-9542

Notes of Care
Notes of Care provides written, personal notes that say “we care about you.”  They are sent to help celebrate happy times such as baptisms, weddings and wedding anniversaries, birthdays and births of babies.  They are also sent at times of grieving or when someone is hospitalized or has just returned home from being ill.  Members of this ministry take a month individually, or with another person, to prepare a note for each event that happens within that time.
Contact:  the church office 225-2020

Prayer Chain
This confidential ministry is special at St. Timothy’s.  The Prayer Chain offers daily prayers for anyone in the St. Timothy’s family whenever there is a time of need.  The Prayer Chain members pray at their homes each day calling upon God for healing.   
Contact:  Bev Blaha 276-1352

Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Lay Eucharistic Ministers take the Holy Eucharist to St. Timotheans, and others upon request, who are unable because of illness or other reason to come to the church for worship.  Visits are made in homes, hospital rooms, nursing homes or wherever the need can be met.  An abbreviated service and the scripture readings for the day form the basis for the visit.  There are no scheduled meetings, but training is offered for new members of the group. 
Contact:  the church office 225-2020

Prayer Shawl Ministry
Prayer shawls and baptismal blankets are lovingly created and kept for distribution to parishioners and family/friends of parishioners upon request.  All knitters of all skill levels are welcome.  Patterns and guidance available. 
Contact Hillary Gaebler 987-9534

Stephen Ministry
Lay caregivers (called Stephen Ministers) provide one-to-one Christian care to anyone who is bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge for as long as people need it.
Contact:  Kathy Widelski 225-3940 or Larry Anderson 225-6751