Who We Are
    The Pastoral Care Team at Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist
    Church is composed of church members who have committed their
    time and care to help others through the ordinary and extraordinary
    challenges of life. Team members are available to listen, express
    concern and love, and point the way to further resources.

    What We Offer
    Team members provide a listening ear, so that individuals can
    express the feelings and fears related to their current life
    circumstances, as well as sharing the joys that life brings. Often team
    members will be able to help others find resources in the community
    that are appropriate to the needs of the moment.

    Pastoral Care Team members are not counselors, and their care
    should not be considered a substitute for professional counseling if
    that is appropriate. The Pastoral Care Team offers companionship on
    the journey of life and faith, knowing that God in Jesus Christ walks
    with us as well.

    Our Mandate
    Jesus called men and women to be disciples, learning from him that
    they might serve in God’s name. He sent his disciples into the world to
    heal and share the good news of God’s grace and love. Ever since
    the church began, followers of Jesus have offered hope and help to
    their sisters and brothers in the name of Jesus.
    (see Acts 3:1-10)

    Our membership vows call us to work against all the conditions that
    hurt or diminish human life and to provide for each other “a community
    of love and forgiveness that we may grow in our trust of God.”  Lay
    pastoral care is an expression of that commitment.

    Why “Pastoral?”
    The word “Pastor” comes from the Latin and means “shepherd.”
    Jesus is our chief pastor or shepherd, the one who watches over God’
    s children. In caring for one another, we are continuing the “pastoral”
    ministry of Jesus. Team members work alongside the ordained pastor
    of the church, sharing a caring ministry. Neither is a substitute for the
    other.

    Ways We Serve
    A Pastoral Caregiver might be found serving in any of the following
    ways:
    Visiting a hospital patient.
    Waiting at the hospital with family members while a loved one
    undergoes surgery.
    Spending time with persons in the weeks and months after the death
    of a loved one.
    Taking Holy Communion to homebound persons.
    Making a friendly visit to an elderly person or one who lives alone.
    Leading a worship service at Wicke Health Center, a United Methodist
    nursing home in Shelton.
    Providing friendship and support for a new mother or single parent.
    Having coffee or lunch with a person who just needs a listening ear.

    How to Request Care
    To request care from a Team member, contact the Church Office at
    203-874-1982 or e-mail mtmumc@sbcglobal.net
Pastoral Care
MARY TAYLOR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Milford, CT 06460  
Get directions here!
203-874-1982
Email us at :    mtmumc@sbcglobal.net                                                        
Webmaster: Comments@mtm-umc.org
    Prayer Shawl Ministry -

    With the summer heat wave we've
    been having, it's doubtful too
    many of us are yearning to pile
    skeins of yarn into our laps to
    churn out prayer shawls for the
    needs of our church members,
    families, friends, and others in
    the community. But we have a
    very vibrant group of women at
    Mary Taylor who make time to
    serve in this vital program by
    making dozens of shawls and
    praying for    comfort, healing,
    and peace to those who receive
    them. And, among this crafty crew
    is 10 year old Callie Merva, who
    goes to the monthly "bees" with
    her Aunt Vicki (LaBonte) and her
    Noni, Fran Merva. " I like sitting
    with the ladies and also that [the
    shawls] are going to   people that
    need it", says Callie. Callie's
    grandmother taught her how to
    knit and crochet when she was 8,
    and she gets pointers from her
    aunt as well. Fran Merva
    comments on the pride she feels,
    having both her daughter and
    granddaughter taking part in this
    ministry with her: "It's nice to see
    three generations in the same
    family." The rest of the group
    couldn't be more pleased with the
    Merva family participation either,
    and fellow group member Faye
    Zeiner brought her camera to a
    recent ministry gathering to
    capture the scene. Thanks be to
    God for keeping it "all in the
    family", whether through our
    loving church family, or through
    three generations of Merva
    women.
    If you would like a shawl for a
    friend or loved one, please
    contact Joan Zauner at 203-874-
    1979.

    Stitching "bees" take place the
    third Thursday of the month in the
    evening in Wesley Center.
    Next One:  Thursday, Julyh 2st;
    7:30 PM!

    ...It happens at Monday night Healing
    Prayer and Anointing Service. Those in
    attendance gather in a circle with each
    participant holding or touching one or
    more newly crafted prayer shawl. The
    celebration begins with “Os” and
    “Ahs” and other comments about
    colors, patterns and stitches, prayers
    offered during its creation and quality
    of work. We then join hands, thus
    representing the MTMUMC family. A
    prayer of thanks and blessing for both
    the maker and recipient is offered. The
    sign of the cross is made on each
    shawl accompanied by the words “in
    the name of the Father, Son and Holy
    Spirit.”

    Each Healing Prayer and Anointing
    Service ends as we bless each other
    with these words: “The Lord bless you
    and keep you. The Lord make his face
    to shine upon you and be gracious unto
    you; the Lord lift up the light of his
    countenance upon you, and give you
    peace. Amen.”

    As I thought about the closing of
    Monday evening worship, the song
    “Love Grows Here” came to mind. I not
    only thought about it; I googled it and
    listened to a couple of youtube entries.

    Mary Lou Hastings
    Prayer and Healing Ministry