The Presbytery de Cristo
Arizona, New Mexico
Ray Wilcox and Mary Gustavson visit at a nursing home.
When Faith Presbyterian Church started the Nursing Home Ministry program in July 2000, Nancy was among the second group of volunteers commissioned. Nancy began by visiting a woman named Pat who had recently moved from her home in West Virginia to a Sierra Vista nursing home. Pat found the move shocking. She found life in the desert unappealing. She rarely left her room.
Pat was not an easy person to visit. She often seemed detached and depressed. She asked questions that tore at her visitors’ Presbyterian hearts: “Why am I still alive? Of what use am I to anyone?”
Establishing a trusting relationship with Pat would not be easy, but if one of the nursing home ministers remained faithful, there was a chance that Pat might sense someone cared about her.
Nancy visited Pat for five years, and during those years Pat lived in three different long-term care facilities. Nancy followed Pat each time she moved. After one of Nancy’s last visits with Pat, she shared this: “I visited Pat for the first time since she moved. She appeared rather detached and she would not look at me. She didn’t talk much. Of course, she isn’t happy there. Then, as I was getting ready to leave she said, ‘Now it seems normal here since you came to see me.’”
At the heart of this ministry is relationship. The nursing home ministers are a witness of love in a place where many are forgotten and lonely. Once a month they gather for reflection and continuing education on the culture of care in nursing home facilities.
The Presbytery de Cristo has 30 churches and 7,942 members.
Presbytery Staff
The Rev. Lynne M. Myers, interim executive presbyter
Elder Steve Brownson, CLP, temporary stated clerk
Mary Anne Nollsh-Abshier, administrative assistant
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Sara Todd, GAMC
The Rev. Philip Tom, GAMC
Loving God, your words become real to us when we follow your command to love one another. May your presence be made known through the gifts of others as they visit the lonely and comfort those who are hurting. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Ps. 84, 148 Ps. 25, 40
Isa. 24:14–23
1 Peter 3:13–4:6; Matt. 20:17–28
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