Elizabeth Ministry
The Elizabeth Ministry is an outreach to women in special times of motherhood. The purpose of this ministry is to affirm, support, encourage, and assist women in response to their needs during childbearing years. In the past, the help and support women needed were found in the structures of families and neighborhoods. Today, these structures have changed, but the reassurance, support, and friendship are still needed. The Elizabeth Ministry works to fill this need by providing an opportunity for women to minister to others who have had similar experiences through personal visits, prayers, and friendship. The Elizabeth Ministry gives reassurance and encouragement to women who are pregnant or caring for newborns, it celebrates new births with families, assists parents involved in the adoptive process, responds to times of infant and child crisis, and reaches out to women who experience miscarriage or the death of a child. The ministry also assists families experiencing a crisis by preparing and delivering meals as needed. This ministry has been a very meaningful experience for those ministered to as well as the volunteers who do the ministering.
Our work might include making a phone call, setting up a visit, delivering a gift bag, making a meal, or driving someone to the doctor. In reality, what our ministry accomplishes is offering friendship, companionship, and support. It involves making someone feel that they belong, creating community, opening a door, consoling the suffering, giving direction, extending a hand and leading others back to God. We cannot begin to measure the outcome of these efforts. We cannot begin to measure the fruits of our love. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry states that, "One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eye." We may never know the full extent of our accomplishment and those whom we serve may not even realize, but God always knows.
Are you expecting a child or in need of family support? Can you occasionally prepare meals for newly growing families or families in crisis? Please let us know! Contact Bettye Chadwick or call the parish office- (815) 562-2370.
Our work might include making a phone call, setting up a visit, delivering a gift bag, making a meal, or driving someone to the doctor. In reality, what our ministry accomplishes is offering friendship, companionship, and support. It involves making someone feel that they belong, creating community, opening a door, consoling the suffering, giving direction, extending a hand and leading others back to God. We cannot begin to measure the outcome of these efforts. We cannot begin to measure the fruits of our love. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry states that, "One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eye." We may never know the full extent of our accomplishment and those whom we serve may not even realize, but God always knows.
Are you expecting a child or in need of family support? Can you occasionally prepare meals for newly growing families or families in crisis? Please let us know! Contact Bettye Chadwick or call the parish office- (815) 562-2370.
Helpful links!
Seven Steps to Taking a Meal
Six Easy Meals: No Grocery List Needed
Meaningful Items During a Difficult Time
New Mom Meals on Pinterest
Comforting Meals for New Moms and Friends in Need
Seven Steps to Taking a Meal
Six Easy Meals: No Grocery List Needed
Meaningful Items During a Difficult Time
New Mom Meals on Pinterest
Comforting Meals for New Moms and Friends in Need
Mary Visits Elizabeth
Luke 1:39-56
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me--
holy is his name."
Luke 1:39-56
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me--
holy is his name."
