Spiritual Life & Fellowship

First Parish Of Westwood, United Church
Celebrate the Spirit at the Crossroads

Ministry of Spiritual Life & Fellowship

Ministry Members: Dave Blomquist (Chairperson), Susan Abbadessa, Gail Bean, Jim Aldinger, Bill Holbrook, and Margery Eramo (ex-officio)

About the Ministry: The Ministry of Spiritual Life & Fellowship (SL&F) is responsible for the physical and emotional wellbeing of the congregation. The Ministry promotes congregational health & spiritual wellbeing through health ministries, lay visitation, and support groups. It proclaims our welcome to all who come to church, initiates new members' activities, and provides fellowship and community building activities.

Ways to Serve at First Parish

	Coffee Hour Servers are needed to prepare Sunday morning coffee and provide refreshments. It is easy to do - and a great way to get involved in the life of the church. Sign up in the Parish Hall.
	Lay Readers are always welcome to participate in worship services. If you are interested, sign up at the Hospitality Center.
	Family Greeters are a welcome sight on Sunday mornings! If your family would like to greet, please sign up at the Hospitality Center.

PROGRAMS

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Ministry of Spiritual Life and Fellowship would like to restart the day and evening groups for the knitting or crocheting of Prayer Shawls.

This ministry originated in 1998 by a group of women who participated in the first Women’s Leadership Institute at Hartford Seminary. The first shawls were knit for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer; some were also made for new mothers; others were made to mark birthdays, anniversaries, or just to commemorate the gift of loving and caring.

Here at First Parish adult and baby shawls have been knitted by many women in the congregation and given to people within or connected to the church who are suffering some type of crisis or illness or just need a loving touch from the church. Baby shawls have been given at the time of infant baptism. Each group starts with prayer and as the shawls are being worked on, people are asked to think about and pray that whoever is the recipient of the shawl is blessed by God and will have everlasting peace.

If you are interested in leading or joining a day or evening group, please contact the Faith Community Nurse at MEramo@firstparishwestwood.org or call and leave a message at 781-326-3997. You do not have to be an expert to make these shawls, the pattern is easy and can be done by beginners.

Prayer Chain

First Parish had an active prayer chain for a period of time. The Spiritual Life & Fellowship Ministry would like to know if there are members of the congregation currently involved in a prayer chain. If not, the Ministry would like to reactivate one.

What is a prayer chain? In general, it works in pyramid style by telephone. A group member has a personal prayer request or learns about someone who needs prayer. This member calls the “prayer captain” who is responsible for calling designated group members. Each member has no more than two people to call. You do not have to call anyone if you are at the bottom of the chain. Prayers may be requested for anyone in need for whatever reason. The prayers are usually for two weeks and may be extended.

It is important to remember that being a member of a prayer chain is both a privilege and an obligation. All members must take seriously their promise to pray and to pass the request on down the telephone chain as soon as possible.

Each of us knows the power of prayer. Please call the church office or sign the clipboard on Sunday morning if you are interested in participating. The Ministry will notify you once the prayer chain has been set up.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS

	Coffee Hour Set Up: Thank you for your help. Click here for instructions!
	How to Make Coffee: Click here for instructions on how to make coffee at First Parish's new coffee station in the Parish Hall!

Minutes