Contacting the Visitation Care Team Ministry
To contact the Visitation Care Team with a visitation request or to share information about a potential care need, call the church office at 610-621-5770 or email the Visitation Care Team Coordinator directly at CareTeam@sprucc.org.
Biblical Mandate
34Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 45Then he will answer them,’Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
~ Matthew 25:34-36, 45
14Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.
~ James 5:14
Visitation Ministries
Visitation Care Team Ministry
The Visitation Care Team Ministry (VCT) is composed of members who have: (1) gone through the Called To Care training (or are in the midst of taking the training); (2) have CHYLD Worker status in our Safe Sanctuary policies; and (3) have been approved by the Spiritual Council to participate in the VCT Ministry.
Our VCT Ministry visits members when in a hospital or rehabilitation hospital, recently home from the hospital, during times of grief, when on hospice, and at other times of similar need.
Annually, the Spiritual Council appoints an Elder to be the Visitation Care Team Ministry Coordinator, who coordinates the VCT list and helps to ensure visits are being made timely and appropriately. If you are interested in helping with our Visitation Ministries or for more information, please contact our coordinators, any Elder on Consistory, or the Pastor(s). You can contact the current coordinator directly at: CareTeam@sprucc.org or by calling the church office at 610-621-5770.
Homebound/Shut-in Visitation Ministry
Each of our homebound members are assigned an Elder to visit with them. The Elder makes quarterly visits and is trained and approved by the Pastor to serve them communion. In addition, the Pastor makes visits to our homebound members.
Annually, the Spiritual Council appoints an Elder to be the Homebound Visitation Ministry Coordinator, who coordinates the list of Elders providing visits and ensures that all of our homebound members are being visited regularly by an Elder.
HomeTouch and Home Bulletins
Weekly we mail the worship bulletin to our homebound members. Included with that mailing is the HomeTouch, a special weekly devotional newsletter and activity sheet for seniors, provide by Pastor Ben Motz. If you would like to be added to the home mailing list, please contact the church office at 610-621-5770 or office@sprucc.org.
VCT Small Group
The Visitation Care Team Ministry Coordinator and the Homebound Visitation Ministry Coordinator co-lead the VCT Small Group meetings. These meetings provide ongoing mutual support, prayer, and training of those participating in our Visitation Ministry. Generally, these meetings take place every other month.
Western Berks Shepherding Ministry
The Western Berks Shepherding Ministry is a combined ecumenical ministry with other local churches to provide transportation services for persons within our local area. The Evangelism and Mission Committee provides oversight and coordination of this ministry, and appoints a delegate from our church to attend the Western Berks Shepherding Ministry planning meetings.
Called To Care
Visitation Ministry Training Program
“Called-To-Care” (C2C) is our seven session training program for lay persons engaged in the visitation ministry to our hospitalized, ill, and homebound members. This program was developed by the United Church of Christ.
All Elders and anyone else engaged in visitation ministries are to complete at least sessions #1 & #2 (which address such issues as confidentiality, initiating a visit, basic do’s and don’ts of a hospital or home visit, and more) before beginning visitations, and are to continue to strive to complete all seven. All Elders who are providing communion are to also complete session #7, which goes over the serving of communion.
To find out when our next session will be offered, please contact the church office at 610-621-5770 or office@sprucc.org. Our training sessions are generally open to members of other churches, as well.
