Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care Mission Statement
As followers of our Lord Christ, who is Pastor and Comforter, we, the people of the Advent are called to extend Christ’s healing care to one another in a nurturing family by providing support and encouragement in the face of life’s constant changes.
Pastoral Care at the Advent embodies the primary mission of the Guild of St. Francis and St. Clare to “be Christ’s light” in the midst of “the cares and concerns of parishioners.” Many at the Advent benefit from the pastoral care of their fellow parishioners. Volunteers in pastoral ministries embody God’s unbounded love for all. They bring to those in distress, loneliness, or anxiety the good news that nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
After Hours Clergy on Call – Emergency | 864-590-5602
If you have a pastoral care need or would like to learn more about volunteering in these areas, please contact the Rev. Paula Griffin, Associate Rector for Pastoral Care.
Contacting Clergy
The Rev. Paula Griffin, Associate Rector for Pastoral Care, leads our pastoral care ministry. If you or someone you know has an urgent pastoral need please phone 864-590-5602 to reach the clergy member on-call. Our clergy are also available for pastoral conversation, spiritual direction, and guidance. To make an appointment, you may call the church office 864-504-3696 or send an e-mail to any of our clergy through the staff directory.
Prayer Requests
Prayer is at the heart of our life as a faith community. At the Episcopal Church of the Advent, we pray for one another in several ways and invite you to request prayer by the clergy, the parish, or the Daughters of the King.
You may also request that someone be added to the printed prayer list that is included in our Sunday bulletin. Before submitting someone’s name to the published prayer list, please be sure to have their consent.
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You may request prayer by the Daughters of the King (DOK). This is a ministry of women who are trained and who offer intercessory prayer on behalf of those who request it; these prayer requests are confidential and are not included in the published prayer list.
In addition to these opportunities, you may attend one of the Weekday celebrations of the Holy Eucharist (Tuesday 5:30 pm, Thursday at 12:15 pm) where healing prayer is offered.
Please email pgriffin@churchofadvent.org to submit your prayer request.
Home Communion
Eucharistic Visitors assist the clergy in taking communion to parishioners who are unable to attend services at church. Click here to request home communion.
If you are interested in participating in any of the Pastoral Care ministries below, please contact the Rev. Paula Griffin.
Daughters of the King (DOK)
The Order of the Daughters of the King is a spiritual sisterhood dedicated to a life of Prayer, Service, and Evangelism. They have made a commitment to Jesus, and follow him as Lord of their lives. The DOK is an order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church.
Bereavement
The Bereavement Ministry of the Church of the Advent stands ready to respond to the cares and concerns of families who have lost a loved one. This ministry addresses all aspects of caregiving during the time of bereavement.
Short Term Care
The Short-Term Care Ministry delivers meals to parishioners in a time of need. Such needs include illness, hospitalization, recovery after surgery, arrival of a newborn, or other life events. These meals are lovingly prepared by the Guild of St. Francis and St. Clare at the Advent.
Long Term Care
The Long-Term Care Ministry is dedicated to attending to the pastoral needs of parishioners who are homebound or have restricted mobility. This ministry helps to maintain regular contact with parishioners who cannot otherwise make it to church. Long-Term Care can include the delivery of a meal or flowers.
Pastoral Visitors
The Pastoral Visitors are trained members who routinely offer a helping hand or a caring ear to those in need.
Card Ministry
The Card Ministry provides ongoing contact to those in our parish who are homebound. Postcards and notes are sent every month, while special greeting cards are mailed at Easter and Christmas. The Card Ministry also reaches out to parishioners on the anniversary of a loved one’s death.
Flower Delivery Ministry
The Flower Delivery Ministry arranges and delivers vases of altar flowers to parishioners to mark the joy of a baby’s birth, to give thanks for a special service to the church, or to offer sympathy and hope when there is illness, crisis, or grief.
