Pastoral Care

The goal of the Pastoral Care Team is to walk alongside those who are experiencing the joys and challenges of life. The team has both clergy and parish volunteers. This page describes the types of care that are available, and ways to care for each other as a member of this ministry team.

Non-Emergency Clergy Support

Your clergy want to be with you in your ongoing spiritual care. Call this number 281-288-8169 to reach a clergy person for non-emergency care. Examples for support would include the rites provided in The Book of Common Prayer (The Reconciliation of a Penitent, Ministration to the Sick, Ministration at the Time of Death), in addition to general conversation supporting ongoing spiritual growth.

Emergency Clergy Support

Your clergy want to be with you during a pastoral emergency (e.g. emergency hospitalization, serious injury, emotional crisis, death). Call this number 281-241-7862 to reach a clergy person for emergency care.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 on your telephone (call or text). You will be connected to trained individuals who provide judgment-free support.

Prayer

In our Sunday Morning services there are trained prayer team members who provide confidential prayer in the Chapel of the Great Commission during communion. Pease join with them for any prayer you have on your heart (e.g. birthday, any anniversary, thanksgiving, travel, life challenges). Throughout the week, the Prayer Team continues to pray for parishioners and their requests submitted to the church.
Become a Prayer Team Member - You could become a member of the Prayer Team by completing a training program and committing to volunteer on a monthly basis. Use this form to express your interest and to be connected with the leader of the Prayer Team.
Laying on of Hands and Anointing from The Book of Common Prayer (p. 455) can be scheduled with a priest at any time by completing this form. The first Sunday of each month Prayer for Healing is offered by a priest at the communion rail following the 8:00 am service, and during the 9:30 am service in the Chapel of the Great Commission at the time of communion.

Prayer is defined in the Episcopal Dictionary of the Church as the experience of corporate or individual nearness with God, through words, acts, or silence. Any act or activity offered to God in a spirit of dedication may be prayerful. Requests for prayer can be made by filling in one of the “Prayer Request” cards in the pew rack and placing it in the offering plate, or through this online form. You may designate your prayer request as confidential or give permission for it to be included in the Prayers of the People in the Sunday morning eucharist.

Lay Eucharistic Visitor

Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEVs) are licensed by the Diocese of Texas to distribute previously blessed elements of Holy Communion to persons unable to attend regular worship services. LEVs represent the Church to the homebound and serve as a reminder that they are an integral part of the Body of Christ, providing a sense of connection to those who might otherwise feel isolated. This ministry of “presence” is a blessing to the person who is visited and to the Lay Eucharistic Visitor as well. Lay Eucharistic Visitations are scheduled in advance and follow immediately after the Sunday morning eucharist.

A Lay Eucharistic Visitor is available to bring Eucharist to you if you are having surgery or cannot attend church for an extended period. Use this link to request a visit from a LEV. Additionally, if you know of someone that might appreciate a visit from a LEV, please call the church office at 281-288- and we can reach out to them.

Become a Lay Eucharistic Visitor – Please reach out to the church office at 281-288-8169 for information on the process of becoming a LEV, or click on this link.

Pastoral Visitor

Pastoral Visitors are members of the congregation that provide a listening presence for anyone who may be feeling lonely or wants conversation and connection. They work with our clergy and are important members of the Pastoral Care Team who provide support to parishioners as they face the joys and challenges of life.

Pastoral Visitors are lay members of the parish who have been trained, have completed the “Safe-guarding God’s People” course, and have been approved of the rector. They work with our parishioners as they face the many challenges of life by providing a listening presence and connecting them with ministries which offer spiritual or other support. Call the church office at 281-288-8169 or complete the form at this link if you would like to be connected with a Pastoral Visitor.

Become a Pastoral Visitor – Please reach out to the church office at 281-288-8169 or complete the form at this link for information on the process of becoming a Pastoral Visitor.

Grief and Mourning

“Walking the Mourner’s Path” is a Christ-based, prayer-centered group program that is offered by a trained facilitator over eight weeks of spiritual direction. It is carefully crafted to focus on one concept per week to allow the participants to work through their grief without feeling overwhelmed. A workbook is provided that gives the framework for prayer, reflection, and exercises for each week, along with homework assignments that are designed to enhance the experience. This program is offered quarterly and is designed for small group settings of about 6 to 8 people. Use this link to express your interest in this program.

Interpersonal Relationships and Family Care

We are a supportive and inclusive faith community that supports families and relationships of all types. Parish members are available for support to others who might be navigating blended families, stepfamily couples, dating couples with kids, families comprised of neurodivergent members, and LGBTQ+ families of all varieties. Please reach out through the church office at 281-288- for support.

Domestic Conflict and Abuse

The Family Violence Center at Northwest Assistance Ministries (https://www.namonline.org/fvc) provides a free help hotline (24/7) at this telephone number 281-885-HOPE (4673).

Personal Spiritual Practices and Self Care

The Daily Office and Prayer Resources for Personal Use

The Daily Office dates back to the 16th century and is intended for use by all members of the church. The Episcopal Dictionary of the Church states that the Daily Office is at the heart of Episcopal spirituality. These offices include prayers, a selection from the Psalter, readings from the Holy Scriptures, one or more canticles, and the Lord's Prayer. Forms for Morning and Evening Prayer include an optional confession of sin (pages 37-143 in The Book of Common Prayer).

Useful apps that gather the prayers and readings in an easy-to-use electronic format (Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Compline) would be Venite and Day by Day, both of which are available for download on Apple and Android products.

Our cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, offers Daily Morning Prayer at 7:30 am and Daily Evening Prayer at 6:00 pm Monday-Friday through Zoom. This is the link to join the Daily Offices with our cathedral.

Morning Prayer

Evening Prayer

Resources for Individual Bible Study

The Lectionary Page ( lectionarypage.net )

Self-paced bible study through The Episcopal Church following the lectionary(https://www.episcopalchurch.org/bible_study)

Resources for Daily Reflection

Forward Day by Day

The Center for Action and Contemplation

Kate Bowler Devotionals

The Way of Love: Seven Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life, online courses offered by The Episcopal Church

Additional Resources for Self-Caree

Area walking trails