A Ministry of Pastoral Care
At First Congregational Church, we believe no one should walk through life’s joys or struggles alone. This is the vision behind Caring Connections, our lay-led pastoral care ministry launched in March 2025.
Caring Connections brings together two prior ministries — Compassionate Listeners and Congregational Visitors — into one unified team. This ministry equips volunteers with training and support, such as our recent September meeting on Grief Support that was presented by Deborah McGlauflin. Our team includes retired pastors, chaplains, and lay members who offer natural gifts of empathy, presence, and care.
How It Works:
- Team members are paired with parishioners or families for regular check-ins, listening, and prayerful support.
- Volunteers generally meet every other month for training, resource sharing, reflection, and encouragement.
- More complex or urgent pastoral needs are referred back to clergy, ensuring appropriate care and follow-up.
The response from both those offering and those receiving care has been deeply positive. As one participant shared, “Just knowing someone from the church is checking in with me helps me feel less alone.”
If you or someone you love would welcome being paired with a Caring Connections team member for regular check-ins and compassionate presence, please reach out to Pastor Mark (markl@fcceugene.org).
Together, we are building a strong web of care at FCC—reminding one another that God’s love is made known through simple acts of listening, presence, and connection.
