Some Background Information 2019       

 
St. Mark’s parish Bereavement Ministry officially began with the commissioning of thirteen men and women (two husband and wife teams) on May 4, 2003.  In order to acquire that quality of presence enabling them to “BE” for others, these parishioners committed to thirty hours of classes during twelve weekly sessions.
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​Topics considered during these sessions were:
 
●   ministry gifts and call
●   confidentiality
●   grief as life transition
●   experiencing pain
●   sympathy/empathy
●   feelings
●   person-to-person skills
●   the art of listening
●   prayer and spiritual resources for the                      helping/caring situation
●   suicide
●   children and death
●   funerals
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Due to illness (either of minister or spouse) four had to withdraw from ministry during our first year.  However, the following year we were enriched by the response of nine other men and women (two husband and wife teams also) who responded to the “call” to this special ministry.  Fifteen more groups of Core Ministers were commissioned in April of the subsequent  years.  At the present time (2019) we have 49 Core Ministers (35  year round and 14 seasonal – 10 husband and wife teams)  who are using their gifts as Ministers of Compassion to reach out to those who are undergoing loss.
 
In addition to the Core Ministers, we also have 24 parishioners involved as “Covered Dish” Ministers.  At the time of loss, these people will make and take a meal as a symbol of our parish’s reaching out in concern to the grieving family member/s.
 
There are 11 parishioners involved as the “Deliverer” ministers.  They are activated with a “Covered Dish” Minister is unable to drive at that time.
 
Two  parishioners are involved by using their computer skills to assist in the ministry’s communications.
 
Three years ago we added a Grief Support Group.                      
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Bereavement Ministry

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