“Care of the sick must rank above and before all else so they may truly be served as Christ, who said, ‘I was sick and you visited me,’ (Matt. 25:36)…” (The Rule of Benedict, Chapter 36)

Pastoral care is how clergy and lay people answer the call to minister to others — taking the love of Christ to one another through the ups and downs of life.

Faith Presbyterian lay chaplains attended a 14-week; 42-hour curriculum training based on the classic “clinical pastoral education” model used in many hospitals to train pastoral caregivers.  Community of Hope lay chaplains gain an understanding of how they can make a positive difference and become additional “hands and feet” who offer a “listening ear” while being present to those in our church community.

The program is rooted in Benedictine Spirituality as each lay chaplain is encouraged to make this experience a journey into wholeness, to explore a rule of life, to practice sacred silence, to share in Christian meditation, to practice compassionate listening, to develop pastoral identity and lectio divina.

Our lay chaplains meet monthly at a Circle of Care evening prayer and meditation to experience growing and bonding as a Benedictine and Christian community.

To learn more about Community of Hope International click here http://www.cohinternational.org/