Pastoral Care

We support the many ways we journey with each other in transitional moments of life.

The mission of our Pastoral Care Ministry is to provide quality, timely, and professional spiritual and emotional support in an intimate and confidential environment, modeled on the life and ministry of Christ. Our clergy, along with a team of trained laity, provide pastoral care to all parishioners, especially in times of grief, illness, and crisis—creating a shared experience of healing, renewal, and growth.

If you or your loved one are in need of care or support from the Holy Comforter community, please reach out to the Church Office (703-938-6521) or email pastoralcare@holycomforter.com. In emergencies, you may also call the pastoral care emergency line (703-216-1864) at any hour to reach the clergy on call.

Bread and Jam Ministry

The Bread and Jam Ministry supports grieving parish families by offering the simple comfort of fresh bread and jam as a heartfelt reminder that they are not alone in their time of loss. If you would like to support this ministry by baking or purchasing bread, making or purchasing jam, or delivering these gifts of care, please contact Lolly Mixter at pastoralcare@holycomforter.com.

Eucharistic Visitors

Trained lay ministers who bring communion to members of the community who are unable to attend worship due to hospitalization or being homebound.

Flower Ministry

Deliver altar flowers to a congregation member each Sunday as a sign of support, thanks, or other special recognition.

Funerals

Please report the death of parishioner to the clergy of the parish as soon as possible (church office: 703-938-6521). The pastoral care emergency line (703-216-1864) may be used at any hour to reach the clergy on call. The Rector and staff are ready to be of assistance and can be with the family at the funeral home, if desired. The clergy should be consulted before a date and time is set for the funeral or memorial service..

Gestalt Soul Care

Gestalt Soul Care (GSC) is a powerful set of tools for healing, formation, and growth. It is a unique holistic and healing blend of Gestalt approaches, Aesthetic principles, 12 Step Wisdom, and Coaching techniques. GSC offers individuals and group settings a confidential, gentle, and safe spiritually-integrated process to let go, let down, and rest. This work allows participants to draw out strength, insights, and inner healing from their work. We are greatly enriched by the wide diversity of theology and worship styles of our participants.

All retreats, events, and training programs of Gestalt Soul Care are open and inclusive, with various trainings and workshops offered regularly. Questions? Reach out to Alexandra MacCracken or visit gestaltsoulcare.com.

Healing Prayer Team

Holy Comforter offers healing prayers monthly on the first Sunday of each month with the Laying on of Hands and Anointing for Healing. The Healing Prayer Ministry includes a team of lay healers who have gone through intentional training and formation; all prayer requests are confidential.

Helping Hands Ministry

The Helping Hands ministry is here to help unite those who need one-time assistance with simple tasks with parishioners who are eager to help out. Think of it as neighborly help within our church community. Need a ride to a medical appointment? Looking for help picking up groceries? Struggling with a simple household task? Let us know. If you need assistance or can help lend a hand to your fellow parishioners, please reach out at helpinghands@holycomforter.com.

Listening Hearts

Lay ministers, trained in spiritual discernment, prepared to offer prayerful support to individual or groups wrestling with a problem or issue, who want to seek God’s guidance in a focused way. Individuals struggling with life priorities, ethical choices, job decisions, calls to ministry—lay or ordained—or other difficulty can rely on strict confidentiality.

Medical Lending Closet

Having trouble reading that book and the magnifying glass doesn’t much help? There is an Image Reader to help solve the problem. Trouble getting around? There are canes, walkers, wheelchairs and rollators to help solve the problem. Need to have your blood pressure checked frequently? There are blood pressure cuffs available. Trouble putting on your socks? There is a tool to help you do that. Having trouble reading the numbers on your phone? If you have a landline, there is a phone with extra large numbers to help! Contact Richard Fitzsimmons.

Pastoral Companions

Pastoral Companions partner with clergy to support parishioners facing life challenges like illness, grief, or caregiving. These trained lay leaders provide prayer, hospital visits, and regular check-ins. They can also help connect individuals with other parish ministries and community resources. Questions? Please contact Susan McGuire or Linda Murray at pastoralcare@holycomforter.com.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

With every stitch, our volunteers weave prayers for healing and comfort into handmade shawls. These blessed mantles serve as a tangible reminder of God's presence, offering solace to those experiencing grief, illness, or life-changing moments.

If you or your loved one are in need of care or support from the Holy Comforter community, please reach out to the Church Office (703-938-6521) or email pastoralcare@holycomforter.com. In emergencies, you may also call the pastoral care emergency line (703-216-1864) at any hour to reach the clergy on call.