Re: Volunteer circle to help sick member?

[Guest guest]

My wife, who is a seminary student, suggests:

1) Most major denominations have some organized process for training volunteers.

2) There is a lot of value to having the volunteers gather each week or so, for

discussion and spiritual support. Helps everyone stay on the same page.

Steve D.

Volunteer circle to help sick member?

I have been asked for ideas so my church can form a volunteer group to

help members and/or the family members during an illness. Our

congregation is scattered throughout the Detroit metropolitan area so

that adds to the complication. One suggestion I have already received

is that volunteers delivering groceries, clean laundry, etc. not expect

to be invited into the house. Many times this can add to the burden

since the family or patient feel that they should entertain the

volunteer.

Any and all suggestions would be very welcome. You could email me

directly if this isn't something to be discussed in the group.

Thanks in advance, Pat K

[Guest guest]

One of the things our caring circle does is arrange a system for meals for

the family to be left in a cooler by the front door. That way, the family

doesn¹t need to interact with the helpers, but they still get the benefit of

food lovingly prepared and shared.

We also try to provide Œcaregive and child respite¹ when it¹s appropriate,

getting kids out of the house to do something fun, and giving family

caregivers some time off, while we fill in for them.

Kathleen