Unitarian Universalist Church West

Lay Pastoral Care -- A Ministry of Caring and Presence

As a congregation, we all play a part in promoting a community of compassion and caring.  Sometimes, we need just a little more than words of encouragement or a hug from a friend.  Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, we are uncomfortable turning to our friends.

This is when the trained members of the Lay Pastoral Care Team are here for you.

Lay Pastoral Care Team members are members of our congregation who are trained in compassionate listening and caring.  They are available to reach out and journey with those who would welcome a visit or who are experiencing difficult circumstances or times of transition.  Lay pastoral care team members may:  visit members who are ill at home or in the hospital; support those who are going through a major life transition or personal crisis; maintain contact with those unable to attend church due to illness or disability; support family and friends involved in care giving; comfort the bereaved; provide support that is ongoing; assist with spiritual support; and help a person find additional resources they need.

If you, or someone you know in our congregation might appreciate being contacted by a member of the Lay Pastoral Care Team, call the church office (262) 782-3535 or Vicki Brzeski, Team Leader.  You also may send an e-mail message to laypastoralcare at uucw.org or fill out a referral form, and return it to the Lay Pastoral Care Team’s confidential mailbox outside Rev. Lynch’s mailbox.  All inquiries will be handled confidentially.  Our goal is to provide a ministry of hope and caring so that no member of the congregation need suffer or struggle alone through life’s hard times.

Principles of Lay Pastoral Care

Active listening -- There is a healing power in telling one's story.  Our Lay Pastoral Care Team members have been trained to listen with compassion.

Nonjudgmental presence -- Respect is foundational to Unitarian Universalism, and to our Lay Pastoral Care Team.  Respect and empathy help Team members listen and respond without judgment, accepting people as they are.

Caring, not curing – Pastoral care is a process of companionship, not problem-solving or curing. As companions, Lay Pastoral Care Team members give those they support the chance to recognize, value, and use their own inner wisdom, and they respect the other person’s spiritual journey.

Equality and wholeness – Pastoral care recognizes that we’re all equals – the Universalist philosophy that we all share a common destiny, and that wholeness includes each and every person.  Our Lay Pastoral Care Team members know that the time shared with a member or friend of our congregation is a blessing to both people in the relationship.

Trust and confidentiality -- Relationships of caring are built on a foundation of trust.  Pastoral care recognizes that confidences must be private, and that deep relationships take time.