HUMAN CARE MINISTRIES "as we have opportunity, ... do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10) Care, Fellowship, and Serving Ministries 4-WEEK CALLERS - We like caring for our members--this team contacts people who we believe have not been in worship in 4 weeks to see how things are going in their life and faith and if there is anything we can do for them. For more information call (719)596-0661. COUNSELING - Holy Cross has two Christian counselors who minister to people in need. The fees are based on a sliding scale. For more information call (719)596-0661. GOOD NEIGHBOR MINISTRY - As believers gathered around the cross, we are a caring community. As a caring community, we provide varied assistance to help through times of crisis. We typically provide assistance with meals, rides, sitters for homebound spouses, assistance with household chores and moving. For more information call (719)596-0661. HEALTH MINISTRY/FAITH COMMUNITY NURSES - Our health ministry promotes and supports Christ-centered health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit of God's people through educational congregation health ministries. The focus of congregational health ministry is on prevention & health promotion rather than clinical "hands on" physical care. The parish nurse does not provide ongoing physical care, administer medications, draw blood, or do other invasive procedures. This ministry is not a substitute for pastoral care, medical care, community health nursing, or social services, but rather works in collaboration with these disciplines. The parish nurses are Registered Nurses with special training. Some of the services we have provided are flu shot clinics, Blood Pressure checks, Educational programs on Advance Medical Directives, End of Life Decisions, Life-Line Screening program, individual referrals, breast cancer screening education, grief support for those who have lost a loved one through death. For more information call (719)596-0661. HOSPITAL VISITATION MINISTRY - The mission of our visitation ministry is to follow Christ's example in ministering to people who are hurting physically, emotionally and spiritually by offering understanding, compassion and prayer in Christ's love ... to be a friend. Our visitation team visits people who are hospitalized. For more information call (719)596-0661. HOMEBOUND COMMUNION VISITATION - There are times in many peoples' lives when they are not able to get out of their home to come for worship. This team takes worship to our members who are homebound, celebrating communion, sharing God's Word, and enjoy prayer and caring conversation. For more information call (719)596-0661. STEPHEN MINISTRY - Stephen Ministry is based on the compassion of Christ for those who are carrying heavy burdens. Stephen Ministers are linked - one on one, man-to-man or woman-to-woman - with a "care receiver." Care receivers are individuals going through a crisis and at a point where they need someone who will take the time to listen. Stephen ministers are asked to commit to serving for 2 years, one year of training and one year serving. The second year includes continuing education. Complete confidentiality is maintained. For more information call (719)596-0661. Outreach Ministries BREAD OF LIFE FOOD PANTRY - The Bread of Life Food Pantry connects people with Jesus through food for the body and soul. The Food Pantry is located on the east side of the facilities just outside the Holy Cross Day School. The Bread of Life Food Pantry is open Monday and Tuesday from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. The Food Pantry is connected with Care and Share of Colorado and serves zip codes 80909, 80915, and 80916. Clients would bring a valid photo ID showing their residence. The Food Pantry serves as another means to proclaim and demonstrate Christ's love in our community. Brochures are made available for information on life and spiritual issues. Among the many duties of this team, they provide administration, food pick-up, and attendants for the Bread of Life Food Pantry as well as pick up donations from Schlotzsky's and Panera Bread. For more information call (719)596-0661. CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE - For numerous years this team has helped provide organization of giving Christmas gifts to children in our community who live in low income homes. We receive names from various organizations as well as from guidance counselors of the schools in our area for children in need. These needs usually include some sort of article of clothing and a toy. This team is responsible to gather the names, make the names available to members, organize the gifts that come in, and provide for the distribution of these gifts. For more information call (719)596-0661. HOLIDAY FOOD BASKET TEAM - Each Thanksgiving and Christmas, numerous families in our community are in need of holiday dinners. This team gathers donations from members, gets requests for baskets, assembles the baskets, and provides for distribution of these baskets. For more information call (719)596-0661. INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK - IHN is an organization that utilizes churches to help house homeless families who need some assistance getting back on their feet. Holy Cross has participated in IHN for numerous years. Anywhere from 2 - 4 times a year, Holy Cross serves as a HOST Site for IHN. The number of families ranges from about 2 - 8. IHN takes a lot of coordination and ministry partners working together to help make this a safe and friendly environment for the families who come in as our guest. Ministry Partner needs for IHN include dinner prep, dinner hosts, evening hosts, overnight hosts, breakfast host, set-up crew, take down crew, food donations, and meal prep. For more information visit the Interfaith Hospitality Network website or call (719) 596-0661. SPECIAL NEEDS TEAM - This team consists of people who do one-on-one interviews on Thursday afternoons with people who need help with rent, mortgage, utility bills, transportation, etc. The interviewers use a standard interview form that has been developed by the team for this purpose. Each interviewer then calls the various agencies to verify all information given. The case is then brought to a team meeting where a decision is made on how much help can be provided. Team members partner with Northern Churches Cares, West Side Churches, Women Partnering, Ecumenical Social Ministries, and C.O.P.E. in providing financial assistance for families. For more information call 719-596-4387.