First Congregational Church of Cheshire

Parish Care Ministries

The Parish Care Committee has three chairpersons: Martha Lape, Pam Euerle, and Jane Montgomery, who will coordinate all aspects of parish care. Marianne Eagleson will record our congregation’s and ministers’ pastoral care activities. If you would like to be a part of one of these ministries, please contact one of the Parish Care Coordinators or the office.

Meals Ministry

The Meals Ministry is an important part of the network of caring in our church. There are approximately 30 cooks who welcome the opportunity to prepare meals for those who can use a helping hand during a difficult time. According to our 2010 annual report, approximately 78 meals were prepared and delivered to 25 people last year.

The following testimonials are an indication that the Meals Ministry is about much more than just the food:

“When I was facing dark times with breast cancer, dear friends and fellow church members brought light to many days with meals and other treats. When the doorbell or phone brought news of kindness and caring or a food delivery, [my husband] would say" God Calling," and that is what it felt like.”

“All I can say about the meals ministry is WOW!!! What a blessing it was to us during my illness. I know it was a big part of my healing so fast.”

We offer an invitation to anyone who would like to be part of the Meals Ministry. It is a most rewarding way to serve others and a true testimony to God’s hands at work.

Jackie Cole, Bobbie Porter, and Marianne Eagleson share the responsibility of coordinating the Meals Ministry rotating leadership every two months. If you have any questions about the Meals Ministry, know of a family in need of a meal or want to be added to our list of cooks, please let one of us know.

Caring Crafts

In addition to knitted and crocheted shawls, this group also creates baby blankets and adult lap robes, which are given to our members and friends as a warm and tangible reminder of God’s all embracing love and care. Participants meet each month - please call the church office for more information.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry:
On many Wednesday afternoons, a small group of women gather in the parlor for a couple of hours to knit, to crochet, and to engage in fellowship. Many of us work on prayer shawls. This ministry was started here as a small group a number of years ago, and to date has created many shawls. Knitters and crocheters who are not able to attend on Wednesdays have completed projects at home and brought them to church. Finished shawls, usually 60 to 70 inches of soft yarn, are blessed by the group with prayerful thanks for their completion and care and comfort for those to whom the shawls will be brought, often by clergy, deacons, or Stephen Ministers. The recipients are people who are going through a difficult time, such as a serious illness or a loss. One recipient said she had put the shawl on her hospitalized mother and then brought it home each day.

Along with other knitters from the congregation, the group has also made teddy bears for the Christmas Child shoeboxes, and this past fall made squares for Warm-Up America. The Wednesday group also provides an opportunity for friendly conversation. We welcome anyone who would like to come knit, crochet, or just visit. We can also teach you to knit or crochet, as well as supply the yarn. We also continue to welcome shawls made by people unable to attend on Wednesdays.

The group meets at 12:30 p.m. For more information, call Kathy Duffendack or just stop by.

Parish Care Bereavement Series

For over four years, our Church has offered a grief series open to our Church and our community. We have these six-week sessions in the Spring during the Lenten Season and then again in the late Fall ending in the Christmas Season. These groups are led by trained Stephen Ministers and follow a four book series, "Journeying through Grief" written by Kenneth C. Haugk, the founder of Stephen Ministries. More than 25 people have bravely walked through the doors of this room, where we try to provide a safe, quiet, confidential, and comforting space for those who are grieving. Rev. Alison McCaffrey leads a closing communion service for all these sessions. It is our hope to offer people who are grieving a place to share their burden.

Card Ministry

When illness or other difficulties arise, receiving a card from a thoughtful friend can brighten anyone's day. In this caring ministry, members and friends of the church design and hand-write cards for those who could use a cheery or consoling word.

Phone Ministry

Receiving a phone call from a caring person can do a lot to make members and friends of the church feel less isolated. This ministry puts into practice the old telephone company slogan, "Reach out and touch someone."

Birth and Baptism Ministry

New babies of church members are welcomed by the church by being given a baby blanket, beautifully made by members of the Wednesday knitting group.

Baby sleeping On the day of their baptism at Cheshire Congregational Church, every child (and occasionally an adult) is given a framed print drawn by our own Ruthe Sperzel, that is of a robed hand with 3 drops of water flowing from the hand, and the words, "You are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit". When a member of the baptism committee (Beth Eichelman, Lisa Ellis, Becky Cavazutti, Deb Lasher, and Ken and Pam Euerle) presents this commemoration of their baptism, which also has the congregational baptism response printed on a card that is attached to the print, the family is congratulated and welcome is expressed to the child as the newest member of the church family.

Small Chores Ministry

For church members who have difficulty doing small home tasks, such as changing a high light bulb, replacing a garage door opener battery, or small areas of painting, or figuring out how a home problem can be solved, etc., the small chores ministry is available. John Bates is our very capable and willing Small Chores person. To have John assist you call the church office or one of the Parish Care Coordinators: Martha Lape, Pam Euerle or Jane Montgomery

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministers are laymen and laywomen in our congregation who provide one-to-one Christian care to people who are bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, or otherwise facing a crisis or life challenge. Special training is required for this exciting ministry. For more information, see the Stephen Ministry page.