Honoring Souls, Celebrating Lives, Building Community

For more than 125 years, Episcopal Homes has fostered meaning, purpose and connectedness among the elders who call us home. For our residents, who are Catholic, Presbyterian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, as well as Episcopalian, our ministry of presence:

honors contributions, past and present;
encourages exploration of peace and joy, pain and sorrow, life and death; and
guides the search for meaning and purpose through a myriad of late-life transitions.

For the 1,400 elders we serve, ministry of presence doesn’t just happen. It is rooted in our tradition, culture, governance and budget. It flourishes through the time, expertise and love of gifted staff, including three full-time, interfaith professional chaplains, as well as volunteer clergy and leaders from area faith communities, trained lay ministers and community volunteers.

Director of Spiritual Life, Rev. Phil Rose

Chaplain and Spiritual Life Coordinator, Leah Welch

Gatherings and Offerings Include:

Liturgy and worship services
One-to-one spiritual listening
Rites of transition
Healing touch therapy
Healing Touch Therapy
Contemplative Prayer
Retreats
Prayer, book, Bible studies and discussion groups
Music ministry

Story of Impact

Beautiful friendship blossoms through lay ministry partnership

When Gwen was looking for ways to serve Christ at her new church, St. John the Evangelist in St. Paul, her associate rector suggested she participate in the Community of Hope lay ministry program in which St. John’s partners with Episcopal Homes. She had no idea then that this experience would lead her to finding such a life-impacting new friendship.

During the initial Communities of Hope training, Gwen was paired with Ginny Parrish, a longtime, active parishioner at St. John’s who resides at Episcopal Homes’ Garden’s nursing home. Gwen and Ginny hit it off right away. Together they share a love for music, family ties to the state of Iowa and a deep love for their faith. They began meeting for coffee and enjoyed discussing current happenings at their shared parish.

Gwen quickly connected with Ginny, and it didn’t take long for Gwen to find herself feeling like she was more of a friend than the volunteer companion that was so simply described in her lay ministry training. She felt a special connection to Ginny and knew she wanted to continue to be there for her. Gwen now takes Gwen to doctor’s appointments and to activities on Episcopal Homes’ campus. Gwen knows Ginny gets homesick for Sacramento and for family members who live further away so she feels compelled to continue finding ways to stay busy.

“We have many activities we enjoy together. One of my favorite moments came during this last Holy week. We sat together listening to hymns in her room. It was beautiful and we didn’t even need to say much to each other. It was like being in church together, forming a very special connection,” says Gwen. “We’re fortunate to have each other. I do not consider myself a volunteer. I am her friend,” she adds.

Ginny is thankful to have a friend like Gwen. When they can’t get together, they text each other often. “Gwen is the type of person that once you get to know her, you feel like you’ve known her your whole life. She’s a giving person. She’s a good person and she means the world to me. I am so thankful for her.”
In memory of Ginny Parrish, who passed away on July 23, 2019, at the age of 93.