Welcome to Christ Episcopal Church, Needham, MA: Ministries

Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” (John 21:16)

At Christ Church, we are serious about the care that members of this community have for each other. Pastoral care is not limited to care offered by the clergy—this is a community that responds to each others’ needs, that offers comfort and support in times of difficulty, and rejoices with each other when challenges are overcome. The clergy are available for spiritual counsel and prayer, and so are many other members of Christ Church.

The Pastoral Response Ministry (PRM) is the “central nervous system” of pastoral care at Christ Church. This group meets weekly throughout the year to advise and support the clergy and to help coordinate other pastoral care ministries throughout the parish. PRM organizes meal deliveries to parishioners recovering from surgery or other acute situations, assists with setting up support systems for people in transitional periods or those with long-term care needs, and also reaches out to the bereaved after the death of a loved one. Everything discussed in PRM meetings is kept in strict confidence. Members of PRM serve at the invitation of the rector.

Lay Eucharistic Visitors are members of Christ Church who have been trained to carry the elements of communion to hospitals, nursing homes, and peoples’ homes and conduct a worship service for those occasions when someone cannot attend services at the church and wishes to receive Holy Communion. If you are unable to come to Christ Church and want to receive the Eucharist, please contact the Church Office (781-444-1469).

Christ Church has an active ministry of healing prayer. Parishioners who have discerned gifts for healing prayer offer the traditional laying-on-of-hands and anointing with oil during communion at our Sunday services for anyone who presents themselves for prayer. Healing prayer is about building up a loving trust in God during times of physical, mental, or emotional distress or illness, and seeking God’s healing and wholeness at all times, regardless of whether the distress is removed or remains.