Where Can I Find a Pastor to Come and Give my Father Communion in Hospice Care?

Jadebutterfly1055@att.net asked...

My dad is in a nursing home and has been for 9 years now. He was just taken off of Hospice...Praise God! My question is I would like to know how I go about finding a pastor come in & give my dad communion & pray w/him. I am a Christian but our church does not give communion much at all.

Expert Answer

Shelly Beach, MRE, is a seminary graduate; instructor at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan; author of seven books; and contributor to The NIV Stewardship Study Bible. She speaks nationally on faith, writing, and caregiving and is a host on the website Help for My Life in roundtable discussions on care issues. Beach's most recent release is Ambushed by Grace: Help and Hope on the Caregiving Journey.

How wonderful that your father's been taken off of hospice care. It appears that you've invested in your dad's physical, emotional, and spiritual health over many years and are continuing to do so as you look for a pastor to administer communion. Allowing your father to express his faith is integral to his health and well-being and a sense of hope and purpose.

I'd suggest looking for a pastor by asking the administrator or chaplain at the nursing home to make suggestions. Pastors may already be visiting his nursing home and administering communion to other residents, and it would be easy for them to visit your father at the same time.

I'd also visit or call churches in the neighborhood and ask if their staff provides ministries to nursing home residents. If they don't, ask if they can refer you to another church in the area that provides services to nursing home residents.

One additional suggestion would be to make a call to hospital chaplains and ask for referrals to churches that may have outreaches to the elderly in the community where your father lives. Chaplains often meet together regularly and are part of a network of compassionate caregivers.

Blessings as you pursue this ministry on your father's behalf.