1 JoAnn Harris and Barbara Lundberg
2 Pat Squire and Betty Hughes
3 Liz Carlson, Jane Lamar and Harriet Sheeler
4 Jennie Fogarty and Carolyn Wineman
5 Betty Bennett
6 Marjie Craig and Kay Jansky
7 Diane Kupelian and Shirley Whitman
8 Vergene Journey and Edith Walter
9 Susan and Steve Langley
10 Nancy Mrozinski
11 Jean Lutterman
12 Marion and Gordon Livingston
13 Jayne Maclean
14 Marolyn and John Hatch and Beverly Rice
15 Liz Nelson and Ruth Avery
Organization:
Because it was felt that it would be easier to ask for help from a
neighbor and for a neighbor to respond, the church population was
divided into 14 geographical areas (now 15), each head by one or more
coordinators. An individual's group number is included in the church
directory after the person's name. If a crisis arises, the professional
staff notifies the appropriate coordinator who makes the initial call
to determine the exact nature of the need. The coordinator then
requests other members of the group to help provide the assistance. If
the person in need notifies the coordinator before the professional
staff, the coordinator in turn advises the staff and a plan of
assistance is discussed. In addition, the coordinator works in
cooperation with the lay callers and the Deacons. A key to success of
this program is the willingness of a member to let either the staff or
the coordinator know of their problem, and for the staff and
coordinators to share their knowledge. also a pool of people who are
willing to assist is essential.
What services are
provided: The help offered is for short term only and
includes such things as: providing meals during illness; transportation
to medical appointments or to the hospital; grocery shopping and
performing other similar errands; obtaining information and advising
about available resources for extended assistance; housesitting during
funerals or memorial services; friendly telephone calls or visits;
visiting ill or dependent member to permit the caregiver to perform
other tasks. Since 1982, the Neighborhood Support Groups offer to host
a simple coffee reception after a funeral or memorial service at the
church. This has provedto be very helpful, providing a comfortable and
convenient way to gret friends and share memories as well as loss.
Neighborhood Support:
This program is part of the overall pastoral care of
the church, and does provide a service to the church. However, since it
was first organized the church population has become younger, the
facilities for senior care have multiplied many times, and the easy
assessibility of prepared meals have modified some of the needs. It is
perhaps time to look at the whole program to see how it can respond to
the present needs of Westmoreland more effectively and how it may be
revitalized to help create a caring church with neighbor helping
neighbor.
Below are a few photos from a Neighborhood Support
Coffee Hour that is held each year.
Click on a photograph to prompt a larger view of the
same image.
