The Rev. Joanna Seibert M.D., deacon Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, Little Rock, Arkansas
From June to September 2025, we trained 55 participants from across our Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas in pastoral care through Community of Hope International on Zoom. Eighteen churches were represented from all across the diocese. In particular, we aimed to connect with people at smaller churches where this training was more difficult. The speakers were predominantly Episcopal priests and deacons in the diocese.
In addition to the weekly talks, we had a private Facebook page where participants could respond to the daily Rule readings from Joan Chittister's book. This was especially powerful as we read others' responses daily. It was like reading the Rule many times that day.
The participants did the two visitations with their local priests or lay Eucharistic visitors.
We had an all-day retreat in September to continue the study, so participants could bond in person with others they had been studying with all summer, and who they had gotten to know particularly on the private Facebook Page.
The commissioning took place at their local church. The commissioning was often the first introduction of Community of Hope International to new congregations.
Participants will use the training in over 30 new ministries in churches. Most will be involved in visiting those in the hospital and those who are homebound. Still, participants will also use their training in recovery ministries, grief work, hospitality, funeral ministry to families, ministry to the homeless, those in prison, senior ministry, hospital chaplaincy, evangelism, Walking the Mourner's Path facilitators, and welcome ministry.
We will continue with a monthly Zoom Circle of Care meeting to discuss visits, have speakers, and study the Rule, this time from Always We Begin Again by John McQuiston.
We learned a great deal about doing Zoom with such a large group. Two leaders were needed for each session: one to manage Zoom and the other to organize the meeting. The participants asked questions in the chat instead of speaking up or raising a hand.
Despite the large group, I think we did bond, especially on the private Facebook page, and we will continue this bonding with our monthly meetings, and daily studying the Rule on the private Facebook Page. The two leaders were also available during the week for any questions or concerns.