wfn.org | Celebrate Caregivers in October

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3150 notes).

Note 3150 by UMNS on Sept. 4, 1996 at 15:54 Eastern (2350 characters).

SEARCH: pastoral, caregiver, week, United Methodist, chaplains,
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 Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency
of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn.,
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CONTACT: Linda Green                             436(10-71B){3150}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             Sept. 4, 1996

Annual pastoral care week to recognize 
specialized ministries in the church    
     
     NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -- Across the country, United
Methodist chaplains will join chaplains of other traditions  Oct.
21-27 to celebrate providing spiritual healing and care to people
in need during the 10th annual observance of Pastoral Care Week. 
     The intent of the week is to celebrate the ministry of more
than 1,200 United Methodist and other clergy who provide faith-
based care-giving in settings other than the local church, said
Patricia Barrett, director of Pastoral Care and Visitation for the
denomination's chaplaincy division. "The focus is on competency,
commitment and caring," she said.
     The observance is sponsored by  the Congress on Ministry in
Specialized Settings (COMISS).
     The United Methodist Church is related to COMISS through the
churchwide Board of Higher Education and Ministry's Section on
Chaplains and Related Ministries, here
     According to Barrett, "Pastoral Care Week is a time to
celebrate the people who ... as a result of faith have committed
their energy, developed their gifts and have been willing to make
a difference in the lives of others."
     Pastoral caregivers have specialized training and
certification to provide ministerial services in  hospitals,
nursing homes, correctional facilities, mental health centers,
retirement centers, workplaces, community service programs, the
military and counseling centers, she said.  They provide the same
services that a pastor in a local church setting would provide to
a congregation.     
     Under the theme "Celebration of Love," caregivers will mark
ways they see love lived out among people at work and in their
communities. Throughout the week the observance calls for
community and institutional seminars, planned programs or
activities, promotions and distribution of materials. 
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