Pastoral Care

Caring for one another is a core spiritual practice for Unitarian Universalists. Pastoral care is the term we use for the ways we offer support and compassion to each other in community. We promote offering pastoral care to all ages knowing that it can be as simple as sending a card for a special occasion or as challenging as helping someone who has suicidal thoughts.

Physical isolation doesn’t have to mean social isolation. If you or someone you know could use some friendly care, please contact the church office and ask to be connected to the Caring Committee (more information below).

Caring Committee

All of us need a helping hand from time to time. Providing assistance to one another in times of need is an important activity at the UU Fellowship in Chico. The Caring Committee is tasked with fulfilling that sacred trust.

Caring Committee members feel a strong desire to keep connection, especially as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Early on, while sheltering in place, we contacted our most vulnerable members and friends, offering to pick up groceries or visit outdoors at a safe distance. Once this need was met in our community, we set up a letter-writing project to get in touch with members and friends. In summer, we delivered homegrown rose bouquets as part of a fundraiser. Over the holidays, we delivered poinsettias and mailed holiday cards and, in February, Valentines.

As we began to return to connection in person, we visited people in the hospital or those lonely in care facilities. Members of this team also joyfully provide a meal ministry when needed; delicious food, prepared with loving hands, makes life easier and better when someone is ill or recovering, grieving, or perhaps bringing home a new baby.

We encourage you to reach out to us and one another, and join us Sundays in worship. We are here to help people reach out in person or by computer or phone, as you are comfortable.

If helping to care for Fellowship members and friends sounds interesting to you, we welcome volunteers to participate in any aspect of the Caring Committee. Please contact the church office so a committee member can connect with you!