September 24, 2026

Dear Friends,

Pastoral care has always been at the very heart of our life together at St. Nick’s. It’s one of the most beautiful ways we get to share God’s love—by walking alongside each other through illness, grief, loneliness, life’s big changes, moments of celebration, and all the ordinary ups and downs that come with being human.

In the Episcopal Church, pastoral care is something we share together—clergy and laypeople, side by side. It grows out of our Baptismal Covenant and our promise to seek and serve Christ in every person. Sometimes it looks like prayer, sometimes like listening, visiting someone at home or in the hospital, sharing Holy Communion, bringing a meal, sending a card, making a phone call, offering practical help, or just showing up with a caring heart. Every act, big or small, matters so much.

Last fall, we took a step forward in caring for one another by starting the Community of Hope program. A group of parishioners gathered for several months to pray, reflect, and learn together about what it means to offer pastoral care. They worked faithfully to become more loving caregivers in our midst. We were able to begin this ministry at St. Nick’s because of Kathie Jinks and her dedication to bringing in speakers and practitioners who could help us grow.

Community of Hope is a wonderful ministry, reaching people across the nation and around the world. As we have grown together in this ministry over the past year, we’ve realized that our needs are changing, and we need a more flexible way to care for everyone God brings into our lives.

Over the summer and now into the fall, Kathie Jinks and Rev. Jennifer have been prayerfully exploring how we can offer practical, emotional, and spiritual support to one another. More and more people are stepping up to care for folks here at St. Nick’s, as well as for loved ones, neighbors, and friends in our wider communities. What a blessing it is to see so many hearts reaching out!

I am so grateful and excited to share that our Congregational Care ministries—Community of Hope and Circle of Care—are now coming together under one loving name: Beyond St. Nick’s.

Beyond St. Nick’s will gather together everyone who is part of a formal care ministry at church—Community of Hope, Circle of Care, Lay Eucharistic Visitors, prayer ministers, card ministers, Divorce Care ministers, our Let’s Say Grace food ministers—and truly anyone who offers care to others. If you are a caregiver in any way and need support, encouragement, a chance to learn, or a time to pray, you are warmly invited to be part of this ministry.

My heart is overflowing with gratitude for Kathie Jinks and Rev. Jennifer. Their prayer, planning, love, and faithful work have brought us to this new ministry. Because of their leadership, we have a strong and loving foundation for this next chapter of care at St. Nick’s.

Through Beyond St. Nick’s, we have a new way to live out our mission to be a community of loving, giving, and joy-filled Jesus-followers. We show love by noticing one another, by giving our time, prayers, presence, and practical help. We share the joy and hope of Christ by reminding each other that God holds us close and that we are surrounded by a caring community. What a gift it is to walk this journey together.

This ministry also puts our vision into action:

Everyone is welcome.
Everyone is loved.
Everyone is empowered.
Everyone belongs.
Everyone!

Beyond St. Nick’s invites all of us into the good and holy work of formation, reflection, and prayer. We’ll gather on the third Sunday of each month in the afternoon.

Our first official Beyond St. Nick’s gathering will be Sunday, October 18, at 4:00 p.m. This will be a time to learn, encourage one another, and pray together. At 5 p.m., we’ll share a brief, contemplative Healing Eucharist. Afterwards, anyone who wishes can join for dinner nearby. I hope you’ll consider joining us—there is a place for you.

Thank you, once again, to Kathie, Rev. Jennifer, and every single person who has faithfully offered the ministry of presence at St. Nick’s and with those in need. Your compassion is helping us become the church God dreams for us to be, and you are making God’s Kingdom known in this world through your love.

If you have questions, you can reach out to the Church office or connect directly with Rev. Jennifer and Kathie Jinks.

God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,

Beth+