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Care Team Ministry
Where faith and friendship meet.
"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us."
-1 John 4:12
Care Team Ministry responds, free of charge, to the non-medical “quality of life” needs of individuals and families of all ages not routinely fulfilled by existing social service programs. This program offers supportive services to those in need within and around a faith community and provides an opportunity for people to live their faith by serving others.
To Learn More:
Contact Care Team Ministry Coordinator, Dorthea Doty, LSW, at (651) 632-5333 or email ddoty@lyngblomsten.org.
What Care Teams Do:
Through friendship and practical support, Care Teams function as extended family members doing a broad range of hands-on activities:
- Friendly visits
- Light yard work or household chores
- Shopping assistance
- Transportation
- Respite for family caregivers
How Care Team Ministry is Unique:
Many other congregation-based programs focus on a one-to-one relationship. Care Team Ministry, however, creates a team of volunteers around the needs of an individual or a family. This structure provides more flexibility-- everyone can share his/her special gift, and no one gets burned out because there is a team to support one person's or one family's needs. Usually, team volunteers provide their services by setting up a schedule and taking turns. Sometimes, though, volunteers partner together to provide a service. Again, the luxury of flexibility enables Care Team Volunteers and Partners to create what works for each situation.
The care team responds uniquely to the Care Partner’s needs. Teams may grow as a Care Partner's needs increase. In other situations, a team may just step in during a transitional period in someone's life.
Every Care Team Ministry program includes volunteers, partners, a leader, and a coordinator:
- Care Team Ministry Volunteers team with others in their church to meet the specific needs of an individual or family.
- Care Partners are typically members of the congregation who rely on the support of Care Team Ministry.
- A Care Team Leader at each church receives referrals for potential Care Partners, matches a team of volunteers with a Care Partner, conducts monthly meetings for the volunteers, and promotes the ministry in the congregation.
- The Lyngblomsten Care Team Coordinator is on Lyngblomsten’s staff and assists congregations in starting and maintaining their Care Team programs. The Coordinator provides ongoing support, education, and resources.
Serving
Any member of a participating congregation who has a desire to nurture a friendship and live one's faith is encouraged to join Care Team Ministry. People of all ages are welcome to volunteer. Volunteers give of their time and talents as they are able, relying on the power and support of the overall team to meet the Care Partner's needs. Care Team Ministers work on a small team where they share their time and skills with one person or family.
God calls us to be in relationship with one another. Care Team Ministry Volunteers develop lasting friendships with their Care Partners, and those friendships strengthen the fabric of the community. Volunteers also discover that in giving of their time and abilities, their own faith grows.
To learn more about becoming a Care Team Volunteer, please contact the Care Team Leader for your church.
"My life is so busy right now; I can only give one hour a month. It is great knowing that when I can't visit my Care Partner, someone else on the team can."
-Bob, Care Team Ministry Volunteer
Receiving
Sometimes it’s hard to let others help us.
As a Care Partner receiving the service of others, you are giving others the opportunity to serve, as Jesus served. Feel the support and love of the congregation. You are giving the gift of gratitude to the volunteer(s)—gratitude for having gifts to share with you. Care Team Ministry Volunteers expect nothing in return for their services—you do not owe them anything.
One important benefit of Care Team Ministry is that is helps seniors maintain their independence. Additionally, friendships develop, reducing loneliness and isolation.
If you are in need of service or know someone who might benefit from Care Team Ministry, please contact the Care Team Leader, Parish Nurse, or Pastor.
Examples of how a care team may be of assistance:
- A care team of three volunteers is partnered with an elderly man who has trouble walking. One volunteer visits weekly to play cards, write letters, etc. The second volunteer comes monthly to do housecleaning. The third volunteer comes approximately once a week to do grocery shopping. This team is helping this elderly man to stay living in his own home--a freedom that this man highly values.
- A care team of five assists a young family going through a difficult time by helping with meal preparation and errands.
- A care team of two for a vision-impaired person gives rides to and from appointments and assists with grocery shopping.
- A care team of three offers assistance to a spouse whose husband has Alzheimer's.
- A care team does yard work and home repairs for a woman with physical limitations.
Maintaining confidentiality is of utmost importance in preserving the integrity of the program. Trained Care Team Ministry Volunteers fully respect a Care Partner's privacy. They understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality about that individual's needs at all times. Care Team Ministry seeks permission from Care Partners before using photos or quotes to promote the program.
“Receiving is often harder than giving. Sometimes it is only in the eyes of the receivers that givers discover their gifts.”
-From Bread for the Journey by Henri Nouwen
Program Support
Through Lyngblomsten, Care Team Ministry Volunteers receive a thorough orientation and have the opportunity to attend education forums throughout the year addressing such topics as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, depression, aging, grief and loss, and listening skills. Care Team Ministry Volunteers gather monthly to share their ideas and questions and to support each other. Here they are renewed in their outreach to others.
In addition to the ongoing education the Lyngblomsten Care Team Coordinator provides each congregation, additional support is given to strengthen their program. This support includes publicity and recruiting, marketing materials preparation, event coordination, and more.
"The education forums have really helped me. I wasn't sure what to say to my Care Partner at first, but the presenter gave me several good ideas."
-Julie, Care Team Ministry Volunteer
"As a Care Team Leader, I’ve received so much joy and satisfaction. It’s been fun to see the ministry grow in our church. I appreciate the hands-on guidance from Lyngblomsten—I know I’m never alone in overseeing our church’s Care Team Ministry Program."
-Paul, Care Team Ministry Leader
A Partnership
Care Team Ministry is a joint partnership between Twin Cities-area Christian congregations and Lyngblomsten. The program is one of Lyngblomsten's many outreach efforts that extends its mission of whole person care into the community through Home- and Community-Based Services. Unlike most of Lyngblomsten’s services, Care Team Ministry can serve people of all ages--not just seniors.
As of May 2010, Lyngblomsten partners with the follow churches to provide Care Team Ministry (see church partners page for contact information):
- Augustana Lutheran Church – West St. Paul
- Centennial United Methodist Church – Roseville
- Falcon Heights United Church of Christ – Falcon Heights
- First Lutheran Church – White Bear Lake
- Gloria Dei Lutheran Church – St. Paul
- Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church – St. Paul
- Immanuel Lutheran Church – St. Paul
- Incarnation Lutheran Church – Shoreview
- Jehovah Lutheran Church – St. Paul
- Redeemer Lutheran Church – White Bear Lake
- Roseville Lutheran Church – Roseville
- Salem Lutheran Church – West St. Paul
- St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church – St. Paul
- St. Timothy Lutheran Church – St. Paul
History of Care Team Ministry
A national program that first began in Texas in the 1980s, Care Team Ministry was introduced in the Twin Cities in 1998 through Lyngblomsten. Participating congregations tailor the program to meet their specific needs, yet all share a desire to be involved, a passion for serving, and a commitment to building community through a team-based effort.
Care Team Ministry is affiliated with the National Faith in Action program. The program at your church is made possible through a partnership with Lyngblomsten and your church. Financial support is provided by gifts through the Lyngblomsten Foundation