Community of Hope

WHAT WE ARE  ABOUT

The Community of Hope International is an organization that creates communities committed to pastoral care. The Community of Hope first trains laity for this ministry, then sustains these chaplains in a Christian community united in prayer, shaped by Benedictine spirituality, and equipped for serving in voluntary pastoral care ministries.

The first Community of Hope class at St. Boniface was commissioned in May 2006. We are a part of the Community of Hope International-West Texas Region.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

As lay chaplains, we minister individually or in groups to those in need by representing God to them and seeking to respond to their spiritual needs.  Under the direction of our clergy, we serve those in our church community and in our larger communities.

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Under the direction of our priest, we may be called to minister:

     To the homebound or homeless

     With hospice

     In hospitals or outpatient clinics

     In nursing or retirement homes

     In community centers

     As outreach to the parish

     As outreach to the underserved  

WHAT TO EXPECT

As a part of this ministry, you will become more spiritually centered.  You will be able to look to those in your Circle of Care group for guidance and support in doing God’s work.  You will receive 42 hours of training over a period of several months. This training will encourage you in finding your Christian calling, recognizing your spiritual gifts, and helping you become a more compassionate pastoral caregiver

OUR PLANS

New classes will be scheduled as others wish to commit to training. With each new class, the number of lay chaplains and the Circle of Care grows to serve more people. 

SCHEDULE

Once commissioned, you will be asked to volunteer several hours each week in a ministry of your choice and attend monthly meetings of the Circle of Care.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

To participate in the Community of Hope program, contact St. Boniface Episcopal Church at:

(830) 995-3897 or boniface@hctc.net