Caring Community and You

WHAT IS MY ROLE IN OUR SOCIETY'S CARING BUSINESS?

In our Unitarian Society of Hartford, we have two ministers, a Caring Network, numerous other committees, and a congregation drawn from a wide geographic area. Part of the glue holding our Society together is a sense of community, a feeling our spiritual and physical struggles actually matter to others. We feel better knowing our friends and colleagues face similar issues and stand with us during times of need.

Generating and maintaining this desirable condition is a continuing and important matter for the success of our Society. Do you speak to visitors at coffee hour, often an uncomfortable time for them? Do you participate in various small groups and committees where you can get to know others? Do you help out when you can? These activities help.

One structured way we have organized ourselves to enhance community is through the Caring Network. This group reaches out to those in need. Among the wide variety of possible modes to help those in need, the CN provides rides to church, cards and personal contacts for those facing emotional and medical adversity, meals in a pinch, and a friendly visit when you need to know someone cares.

These activities are in addition to the work of our ministers. Their role is to be available to those facing the crises of life or in desperate need of immediate counseling. Their time does not permit visits on a continuing basis for those facing what might be inelegantly called the lesser vexations of life.

What is your role in all of this? In a word, your role is essential.

First, we need to know when good or bad news affects one of our congregation members. Such news might be death of a relative, birth of a baby, a scheduled operation, receipt of a difficult diagnosis, impending move to a continuing care facility, or minor repairs. When you know of such situations, please contact the minister or a member of the Caring Network Committee.

In addition there is another thing you can do. You can fill out the Caring Network Survey pledging yourself to provide one or more of the services listed. Surveys are available in the office. And, when you receive the infrequent phone call requesting you to provide the service pledged, please make a sincere effort to provide the service. Perhaps it will not be convenient in your busy life, but it certainly is worth adjusting your schedule to a reasonable degree for the occasional request.

Working together, we can do this because it is the right thing to do.

Let us know of any comments, errors and corrections - thanks (revised 2/21/05)