Pastoral Care at West Shore

Pastoral Associates
West Shore’s Pastoral Associates Team doesn’t have a motto, but if it did, it might be semper paratus, always ready. The team has a commitment to be prepared to meet the pastoral care needs of our members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  What can the Pastoral Associates Team do for you?  They make hospital visits, inform the minister of pastoral crises, provide grief support, and serve as a resource to connect you with resources in the larger community.  They are an extension of the Ministry Team of the church.  Members to the team are interviewed, then selected by the lead minister to serve as Pastoral Associates

Contacting a Pastoral Associate.
If you are scheduled to have surgery, or are in the hospital, we’d like to visit you, so please let us know.  Hospitals are not permitted to contact ministers or churches unless the patient specifically requests that information be shared. For non-emergencies or to request pastoral counseling, call the church office and ask for the name/number of a pastoral associate or a minister.  In the event of an emergency (serious illness, diagnosis, hospitalization, death) contact a member of the ministry team by calling the church office (440-333-2255) or the minister’s home number.

How to best use the Pastoral Associates.
Call when you need us, make referrals, let people know what services are available, and most important, be willing to extend your own caring hand to a church member who is sitting alone, or who looks lost in the crowd on Sunday morning, or who needs to be welcomed to a new church home. We are, each of us, part of the larger care team of this church; giving and receiving, helping one another.

Confidentiality
The details of your personal situation will not be shared outside the Pastoral Associates and Ministry Team.  However, both teams are required to communicate needs, requests, responses and concerns to one another.

How to become a Pastoral Associate. 
Pastoral Associates are the arms, eyes and ears of the ministry team, and therefore, play an important role in the pastoral care at West Shore.  To become a Pastoral Associate, you must first have an interview with a minister and be accepted into the program.  Applications are available at the church office or by contact Rev. Kathleen Rolenz at 440-333-2255 ext. 115.

The Caring Team
The Caring Team (formerly called the Paraministers) make visits to elderly members who are unable to come to church, shut-ins and those who wish to stay connected to West Shore through the Caring Team.  They host a party for our 90+ club (members/friends who are 90 and above) and deliver pointsettas at Christmas and African Violets at Easter.  This important committee always welcomes new members who wish to visit with some of our most lively and interesting long-time members.  Contact the church office for information about how you can become a member of the Caring Team.