How can we help?
The Congregational Care Team at First Universalist offers practical assistance and comfort to members and friends in times of transition, challenge, and hardship.
If you need support, please reach out, whether the support you need is listed below or not. We are here for you.
To access any of our caring resources, please contact Rev. Arif at arif@firstuniv.org
Care Companions
Care Companions are members of the congregation who’ve been oriented toward the art and practice listening with a caring and confidential ear, and a loving and kind heart. We call and check in on folks in the congregation and are here to accompany you longer term if you’re living with a chronic illness or could use some ongoing support.
Cycle of Life
Each week, individuals and families who are going through a life transition, experiencing a joy, or a time of difficulty, are included in our Cycle of Life meditation during worship.
Receive Meals
Sick? Recovering from surgery or an illness? Caring for a family member or welcoming a new child? Something else? Sometimes, what helps more than anything is having church members bring healthy nourishing meals to your home for a short period of time. As one of our members recently said “it was such a gift to receive meals when my mom was sick. I could focus on taking care of her and when I wasn’t, I could just be with my family without worrying about getting dinner on the table.”
Rides
Though we’re not currently driving folks to medical appointments and the like, church is happy to help with an Uber/Lyft or taxi ride. As a member recently said, “I broke my foot last year, and wouldn’t you know it, it was my right one and my doctor wouldn’t let me drive with my left! Thank goodness the rides ministry at church was there to help.”
Love Kits
In March, we created Love Kits as a way to provide some resources and support to folks who were isolated, experiencing loss, families having a difficult time with the reality of COVID-19, and those experiencing hospitalization or illness in this time of enforced distance.
Need additional help?
We’ve put together a resource list of community organizations that can provide help in a variety of areas, including crisis support, domestic violence, shelter, food distribution, legal aid, and more. Download the brochure.
Give Care
If you’d like to offer help in one of the ways described below, contact Rev. Arif Mamdani at arif@firstuniv.org.
- Meals: Deliver a meal to an individual or family in a time of need
- Memorial Services: Usher, greet, supply bars or cookies, help set up for the reception or clean-up afterwards.
- Comfort Shawls: Knit or crochet a comfort shawl
- Deliver flowers to somebody in need of a day brightener.
- New Baby Welcome: Support new parents with a meal and a visit.
- Want to help in a way you don’t see listed? Let us know!