Minute for Mission: Caregiver Sunday
My career in geriatric nursing was followed by ordained ministry and teaching nurses to offer care in their congregations. Sprinkle in the roles of wife, mother, grandmother, and daughter of aging parents, and you can quickly see I live in the caregiving mode! Recently, however, an above-the-knee amputation and removal of a lobe of my lung — both within nine months — quickly put me on the receiving end of care. Quite a different perspective!
As our nation and congregations rapidly age, the number of caregivers and the demands placed on them are growing. At least one in four families offers care for someone over the age of fifty. In our midst are also the caregivers of children with severe medical needs, victims of accidents with life-changing injuries, and families and friends like mine who are caring for a loved one with a challenging illness or disability.
Like the good Samaritan, most caregivers offer their compassion and love with no expectation of anything in return. The days are often long and the nights even longer for these precious people. As days become weeks and weeks become years, they may fall from a church’s radar screen. Their ministries of care go unnoticed and unappreciated.
Many who are cared for so faithfully are not able to acknowledge the gifts of time and love they receive. Those of us who are able can certainly offer our caregivers a daily dose of gratitude. Congregations, too, can regularly find ways to affirm and support caregivers — hugs, phone calls, special prayers mailed with the Sunday bulletin, or occasional “wee care packages” can remind caregivers that their work is a sacred gift of kindness offered anew each day.
—The Rev. Donna B. Coffman, RN, FCN, moderator, PHEWA’s Presbyterian Health Network
Foundation of the world, there is no Rock like you. In the darkness of our darkest night, we cling to you. In the joy of each new day, we stand firm singing your praise. Gracious God, place the mantle of your loving-kindness around the caregivers in our midst. In the dawn, let your face shine upon them as they offer gifts of care. In the eventide, enfold them and their loved ones in your protective arms. These things we pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, the Heart of all care and compassion. Amen.
1 Sam. 1:4–20
How Long, O Lord
STF 2209
I Sam. 2:1–10
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
PH 263, HB 85, WB 433
Heb. 10:11–14 (15–18) 19–25
Behold the Goodness of Our Lord
PH 241
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
PH 446, HB 434, WB 379
Mark 13:1–8
Soon and Very Soon
LUYH 142
Daily Lectionary
Ps. 67, 150 Ps. 46, 93
Ezra 7:(1–10) 11–26
Acts 28:14b–23; Luke 16:1–13 |
