Hope, the tie-breaker
(Reprinted from The Church News, Sept./Oct. 2007 issue, by Julie Ray)
It can be the difference in a priest staying on the job or leaving the ministry in frustration.
It can change a congregation into a community.
It can transform hesitant laypersons into pastoral caregivers.
These claims are made by those who know: priests, parishioners and volunteers who have discovered the power of Community of Hope (COH).
When the Rev. Patrick Gahan arrived as rector of St. Stephen’s, Wimberley in 2005, he found a thriving COH at work. “If Community of Hope hadn’t been here, it would have been a top priority on my to-do list,” he said, adding statistics to explain why.
“I’ve read that 20,000 ministers across all denominations leave the job each year. I believe most of them are mainly frustrated about pastoral care,” he said. “They wake up at night worrying about all the people they didn’t get to, simply because there are more needs than any one person can meet.”
The Rev. Eric Fenton, former head of pastoral care programs at Christ Church, San Antonio (now serving the congregation at Bulverde), agreed. “I would say if you care about your priest and you want to keep his or her workload manageable, you should consider setting up a Community of Hope,” he said. “And the priest who cares about his people and knows the job can’t be done alone, should readily embrace the Community of Hope.”
After completing a prescribed 14-week training course, members of Community of Hope minister to the sick, the lonely, the bereaved, individuals in life transition and those in prison. Some may guide addiction recovery groups or support groups for cancer and other illnesses. Others may coordinate church services at a nursing home or drive patients to doctors’ appointments.
These activities are typical of many outreach programs. But Community of Hope is not typical, according to those involved. How is that? What makes COH unique?
“We are all about listening,” said Carrie Watson, pastoral care director at St. Stephen’s. “Our COH training teaches us to be truly ‘present’ for the other person. We hope to be more than visitors, by truly responding to spiritual needs.”
The cornerstone of this pastoral ministry is the Rule of Benedict, a guideline for balanced living written in the sixth century by the Italian monk who became St. Benedict. Through his writing and example, St. Benedict inspired a community of laypersons to see themselves as whole beings—body, mind and spirit—with lives centered on prayer, study, work, humility, peace, and listening. Today the ancient Rule shapes the spirit of the Community of Hope.
“Someone has called the Rule a workbook for the New Testament, and I agree,” said Pam Heidt,
a layperson at St. Peter’s, Rockport. “Practicing Benedictine spirituality helps you do so many things. It might be hospital or homebound visits. I’m also thinking of our work with other denominations in the thrift shop here, helping needy clients make their selections. When we engage in a little conversation, we are also listening, trying to understand the true needs of the other.”
Dot Green, St. Stephen’s, commented on the strength volunteers gain as members of a dedicated group. “I feel an intimate part of a wonderful community. I know I will be supported no matter what I may need.”
The Community of Hope began in 1994 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Houston, where the program was established under the leadership of the Rev. D. Helen Appelberg. The idea of laity working as pastoral caregivers was inspired by a patient who wanted to serve others as he had been served by the hospital’s chaplains.
Now, 13 years later, COH chapters have sprung up throughout and beyond the Diocese of Texas. There are training centers in 15 states and British Columbia, and other denominations are part of the movement.
In the Diocese of West Texas, large and small churches have launched a total of 11 chapters, with more in the planning stage. The Rev. Mac Keeble, retired former rector of St. Stephen’s (now part- time at Good Shepherd, George West) reflected on the positive snowball effect. “When Carrie Watson joined our staff in 1999, she introduced Community of Hope to the parish, lined up all the necessary people to lead the training, supported the volunteers— and now she is a resource for other churches on how to do it.”
COH volunteers provide a pool of people uniquely equipped for pastoral care both within their churches and in the community. Over his four years at Christ Church, Fr. Fenton turned first to COH to meet a variety of needs. “This included work with the homeless, Aids Safe House and the Good Samaritan Center,” he said.
Pam Heidt serves with Carrie Watson on the Board of Directors of Community of Hope International, an administrative support group for training. “In spite of having many chapters in the Diocese of West Texas, so many churches haven’t heard about us,” Pam said. “Community of Hope can change a congregation. It teaches you how to live with other people, it trains you to see Christ in other people. You can become a person who listens, and you are prepared to go into the larger community as a non-threatening presence.”
Others share her conviction. As an invited guest at a funeral, Sharon East, St. Stephen’s, was warmly greeted by the family of the deceased. She was surprised and delighted. “The person I had ministered to had cancer and declined visitors in the hospital and at home. She said she would like only to be called on the phone, so I never met her or her family.”
Over many weeks, Sharon had tried to provide compassionate listening and support over the wires, still wishing she could visit in person. “This experience taught me a lesson,” she said. “At the funeral, the family told me their loved one had felt very supported. I realized then that talking to me, an unseen stranger, may have been the easiest way for her to share her concerns. I learned that bonds can be formed in many ways.”
Jody Lander, also a parishioner of St. Stephen’s, admits he was uncertain about joining a formal pastoral care program, since he enjoyed helping others on his own. “But when I took the training, I saw it didn’t take a lot of talent to be part of this,” he said. “You just have to learn to listen, because that’s what people really want, they want you to be an ear.” Now Jody pays regular visits to an Alzheimer’s patient. “In his case, I admit to talking more than I listen, but he seems to enjoy it. It’s being there that matters.”
Are there difficult moments? Definitely. The hardest thing for Jody was knocking on the hospital door of a stranger for the first time. Sharon East agreed that stressful situations are not unusual. “We try to prepare by praying for guidance every time we go out,” she said.
To assuage burnout, Community of Hope volunteers meet monthly as a Circle of Care. This is an opportunity to exchange concerns and experiences, within the bounds of confidentiality. “Our group of 38 found it hard to schedule this time together, so we meet in small groups at different times,” Sharon said. The chapter also offers quarterly programs for the community on topics like aging and dealing with grief.
Asked what response she would wish for this article, Carrie Watson said, “Well, I wish everyone who reads it, whether priest, vestry member or potential volunteer, would say, “We need this…we want to do this!” Pam Heidt offered a similar thought: “Community of Hope is a treasure that needs to be found.”
For more information, contact Carrie Watson, 512-847-9956 or Pam Heidt at 361-729-2304