The Ministries of the Pastoral Care Community

Following the example of Christ, who is the embodiment of love & compassion, the Pastoral Care Community seeks to reach out to others through its various ministries.Information about the Pastoral Care Community can also be found on our bulletin board which is in the parish hall. The ministries of the Pastoral Care Community are: Casseroles on Call, the Bread and flower ministries, the prayer chain, tract racks, and the ministries of Lay Eucharistic and pastoral visitors.

Casseroles on Call

Contact: Marge Bowen, 410-877-7680

Casseroles on Call is a ministry that provides a casserole based meal (s) to individuals, couples or families. Talented cooks create a delicious offering for those whose life situation allows us to offer a tasty and practical expression of our care and concern. Arrangements are made in advance between the assigned cook and the recipient family with regard to food preferences and delivery time. For more detail or to participate as either a cook or a recipient, please call the parish office at 410-771-4466 or contact Marge Bowen, ministry head, 410-877-7680.

Our Bread

Contact: Phyllis Shuppert, 410-692-6278

Our Bread ministry is another unique way that the Pastoral Care Community attempts to reach out and welcome people new to our parish and our neighborhood.Our freshly baked bread is wrapped in the color of the current liturgical season, fitted with a lovely welcoming and informative label and delivered by a member of the church to local newcomers. It is our hope that our gesture will encourage those new to this area to consider St. James as a possible spiritual home. The head of this ministry is Phyllis Shuppert.To volunteer with this ministry, please call the parish office or Phyllis at 410-692-6278.

Flower Ministry

Contact: Dottie Russell, 410-357-5309 or

Our most recent ministry is the Flower Ministry. Altar flowers that are not already designated for after-church use can become a donation of beauty and cheer for others in the parish. Community head Dottie Russell and her team members make these deliveries after the service to elderly and ill for their enjoyment throughout the rest of the week. This wonderful ministry offers not only a bouquet of lovely fresh flowers but a loving pastoral presence as well. To be a participant in this ministry as either a recipient or as a visitor, please contact the parish office or Dottie Russell, 410-357-5309 or .

Prayer Chain

Contact: Parish Office, 410-771-4466

The prayer chain consists of a number of dedicated parishioners who honor requests for prayers from and for individuals and families.These requests are sent via email and we require as an essential part of this work that you hold this information in the strictest confidence.To be placed on the prayer chain or to volunteer to be a part of this most important ministry, please call the parish office at 410-771-4466.

Tract Racks

Contact: Doris Bowen, 410-692-5558

St. James has two resource centers called tract racks. One rack is located in the parish hall, the other in the narthex of the church. Filled with informative and timely booklets, these tracts are a gift to you. There is no need to return these tracts to the rack when you have finished reading them but we do suggest that you pass them along to others. Suggestions about topics are always welcome.The tract racks are the responsibility of Doris Bowen, 410-692-5558.

Lay Eucharistic Ministry

Contact: Parish Office, 410-771-4466

Lastly, the Lay Eucharistic ministry has as its purpose to bring Communion to those who are unable to be a part of the in church community that Sunday. The Lay Pastoral visitors have as their mission visiting with those of our community who have been unable to be in church with us for an extended period of time. Our visitors are our commitment to those who were once active members of our congregation but for whom this is no longer possible. While they may not be able to worship with us on a regular basis, we cherish them as part of the St. James community.To be a part of these ministries, please contact the parish office, 410-771-4466.

The Pastoral Care Community is moving into the future in exciting and innovative ways. It continues to expand its horizons as it reaches out to more and more individuals in an ever expanding and creative variety of ways. The most important goal of the Pastoral Care Community, however, is that it seeks to embody in its offerings and actions the love and compassion of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

We Welcome Your Participation in our Community.