Nadine
I’d never met Nadine outside of her home. She was a member of the Geneva church and we went to sing at her place 2 or 3 times. D. and B. went often for a visit. R. and L. would take her to the park in her wheelchair, giving her fresh air, dropping off the cassettes of sermons, praying with her, giving her husband a break from the constant care.
When I was a kid, these older members were called “shut-ins”. I can remember taking communion to Sister Rice on a hot Sunday afternoon, or Dad and Mom visiting another lady that lived in nearby Clovis.
We sang praises to God one last time today in honor of Nadine. She died last Thursday. D. and R. spoke of her faith, a faith carefully nurtured by the Spirit of God, the Bible and communion with the Saints.
Do “brothers and sisters” still visit shut-ins? Is there still a “ministry” that remembers them, making sure they get the both kinds of communion with the Body of Christ? I’m sure there is, and may God deeply bless those who do it.
When I was a kid, these older members were called “shut-ins”. I can remember taking communion to Sister Rice on a hot Sunday afternoon, or Dad and Mom visiting another lady that lived in nearby Clovis.
We sang praises to God one last time today in honor of Nadine. She died last Thursday. D. and R. spoke of her faith, a faith carefully nurtured by the Spirit of God, the Bible and communion with the Saints.
Do “brothers and sisters” still visit shut-ins? Is there still a “ministry” that remembers them, making sure they get the both kinds of communion with the Body of Christ? I’m sure there is, and may God deeply bless those who do it.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Brothers and sisters still visit shut-ins. But I don’t know of any who go to them and sing with/for them. Pretty sure I’ll be bringing it up though.
September 10th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Here at Central we have two shepherds who make shutins, those who are sick, those who are in the hospital, and those who are aged the focal point of their ministry. What a blessing it is to have shepherds who take seriously their role to pastor. We also have two Parish nurses on staff that dedicate themselves to this same group of people as well as the other health needs of our community of faith.
September 10th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Well I am not sure if I like the term “shut-in”, but its cool that you can have members of a church, even though they may never set foot inside the building where the congregation meets. A good reminder that what makes a church are its people, not where they meet.
September 10th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
For the most part, the best time I’ve spent in ministry is visiting “shut-ins” … I much prefer that to going to hospitals, where I always seem to come away from with yet another illness!