Pastoral Care

The Fellowship is a caring community that reaches out to members and friends in times of both joy and sorrow.

Our minister routinely provides counsel, care, support and guidance to members in need.  Our director of religious education is also available for family counsel and is a mentor to all our children.

The Care Committee assists the minister in pastoral work by providing expressions of emotional and tangible support to members of the UUFWS experiencing bereavement, illness and other life crises.  Members of the congregation are encouraged to make referrals to the committee by e-mail, by phone or in person. In addition to sending cards and making calls, the committee coordinates volunteers who deliver food to the homes of those in short-term need. The Committee also coordinates visits to members in their homes, or in hospitals, in order to provide comfort and companionship and maintain ties to the UU community. Support groups on the topics of bereavement and grief or separation and divorce are formed as the need arises.  To contact the Care Committee, e-mail care@uufws.org.

The Memorial Committee, in conjunction with the minister, assists in planning memorial services, setting up for such services, serving as greeters and providing light refreshments. The group also maintains the memorial-garden area and provides  life-crisis forms for members to complete so that the family, the minister and the committee know the particulars of a member's wishes upon their death.
 
Joys and Concerns, an integral part of each Sunday morning service, allows members to tell others in the congregation of important happenings in their lives. Sharing these milestones promotes emotional support.