“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
The Associate for Caring Ministries is a staff position with the express focus of attending to anyone who has need of a listening ear, offering support for parishioners during times of pastoral need through direct services, creation structures of support, and participation in program development.
Friendly Faces, currently at ten committee members, makes personal visits to St. Stephen’s parishioners who are home-bound, recovering, or in need of a quiet visit for any other reason. Members of this committee also launched the parallel Friendly Foods.
The Friendly Food committee provides meals to parishioners with similar recovery or grief needs.
Parishioner’s Fund Committee…we are committed to supporting all of our parishioners, especially during this time which could be unprecedented in terms of financial insecurity, worry and isolation. We have a Fund that is available precisely for parishioners who are experiencing financial distress, be it job or medical related, or other needs. We also have the financial means to offer mental health resources at no cost to you, including a Parish Counselor who offers services free of charge to parishioners. Please be in touch with any of us or with Mother Whitney if you have a need. All requests are confidential.
Tom Carr, Chair (tcarr@us.ibm.com)
Denise Loeber (deniseloeber@hotmail.com)
Andy Robertson (Andyrobertsonzoo99@gmail.com
All information will be received by The Rev. Whitney Altopp and will be kept confidential.
You can submit a prayer request here.
Mental Health Providers
On choosing a mental health provider: As we have talked about before, it is so important to feel safe and in good hands. Finding someone that is both qualified to address your needs and is a good fit with your interpersonal style is important. Some people like to have structure and a learning experience and might fit well with a cognitive behavioral therapist and some people want to work things out by being heard and acknowledged and might fit well with a psychodynamic therapist. Others might just be looking for medications and so a psychiatrist or Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner would work, some might want couples therapy, or help for children or teens, so Family therapists could help. You have a list of all kinds from Ridgefield Social Services. You can call there for specific information on any of them. I can also help you to find someone.
