Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care at First Parish
First Parish is a large and vital church with membership of 1200 adults and children. The First Parish benediction, which we say together every Sunday, guides us and serves as the mission statement for pastoral care.
Go out into the world in peace,
have courage,
hold onto what is good;
return to no person evil for evil;
strengthen the faint-hearted,
support the weak,
help the suffering;
honor all beings.
The Ministers
The ministers offer counseling, hospital or home visits, phone calls, and are always available to respond when called in. Please call the church office to schedule an office visit with one of them.
Pastoral Care Advisory Committee (PCAC)
The mission of the Pastoral Care Advisory Council is to offer advice to the Associate Minister for Pastoral Care and to promote the First Parish networks of pastoral care in order to extend and strengthen their reach. The council members (Judy Dembsey, Tracey Hurd, Ursula Kristoffy, Rhoda Miller and Pam Ressler) work with the Reverend Margie King Saphier, who assesses, implements, and evaluates this vital program.
Pastoral Care Lay Ministry
The ministers are assisted by the Pastoral Care Lay Ministers, who companion parishioners who are in need of spiritual and emotional support during hospitalizations, bereavement, long-term illness, and offer support for elders, caregivers, and families in crisis. This ministry group is selected by the ministers. The lay ministers receive significant training and meet monthly for supervision, reflection and support.
Caring Connection
The Caring Connection volunteers offer concrete assistance to parishioners by preparing and delivering meals, offering rides, writing personal notes, delivering flowers at holiday times, and welcoming new babies with gifts and assistance.
- Food Preparation: Rhoda Miller and Carolyn Shohet
- Food Delivery: Bev Bringle and Pat Kane
- Notes: Kitsy Rothermel and Bozena Smith
- New Baby Welcomers: Louisa Paushter and Bridget Neale Paris
- New Baby Blankets: created by Kitsy Rothermel
- Transportation: arranged through the church office
Memorial Wreath
Beginning the Sunday before Thanksgiving through the month of December, a memorial wreath stands in front of the Sanctuary. Parishioners may attach ribbons to acknowledge the memory of a loved one who has died.
Educational Events
Pastoral Care offers workshops on aging, preparing for death, living well and communicating with compassion. See the First Parish Program Guide and Wright Tavern Center Brochure for details.
Pastoral Note Cards
Note cards are available during coffee hour in the Parlor. Parishioners can take the opportunity to send a caring note to a congregant who was remembered on the pastoral list prior to silent meditation during the Sunday service.
Pastoral Care Lending Library
A self-serve library, located in the lower hallway, is available to parishioners.
Covenant Groups
The Covenant Group program provides a safe and caring way for small groups to come together and explore the greater meaning of their lives. Call the church office or Margie King Saphier for information.
Threshold Choir
This is where is singing and pastoral care join together. The choir meets the first and third Thursdays at First Parish from 7:30 to 9:00 PM under the direction of Beth Norton, music director. You do not need to be a member of the choir to participate. The Threshold Choir provides pastoral care through life’s transitions by singing rounds, chants, lullabies, choral music, hymns and spirituals to parishioners in their homes or at the hospital.
How Can You Be Involved?
You are encouraged to let us know, through the ministers, the church office, or one of the groups above, when you or someone you know is in need of support.
If you would like to become involved in Caring Connection please contact Rev. Margie King Saphier ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or a member of the Pastoral Care Council.