PASTORAL CARE AT SSPC

Email: [email protected]
​Phone: 912-638-2220 x 8

At St. Simons Presbyterian Church, caring for one another in Christ’s name is at the heart of our community. Whether you're facing a crisis, walking through a season of grief, or simply in need of prayer and presence, our pastors are here for you.

How to Reach a Pastor

If you need pastoral care or are experiencing a pastoral emergency:

• Call the church office at 912-638-2220.
  This is the best way to connect with a pastor.
• For after-hours or weekend emergencies, call the church office and select Option 8 to be connected to the pastor on call.
  You’ll reach Pastor Rachel, Pastor Jim, or Pastor Laurie, who are each committed to providing compassionate, grace-filled care.

Caring as a Team

No matter who contacts you—a senior pastor, associate pastor, or parish associate—please know they do so on behalf of the entire pastoral team and the whole church. Each week, our staff shares prayer concerns and pastoral updates to stay informed and united in our care for you.
Given our church's size (600+ members) and the number of pastors (three, with only two full-time), it’s not always possible for each pastor to personally respond to every situation. But that doesn't mean your need isn’t important. As Rev. Tony Campolo once said: “You don’t want to be that sick!”

We are a team, and we respond together.

Common Questions About Pastoral Care

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why you haven’t heard from a pastor, here are a few helpful things to consider:

• Did we know?
  Sometimes we hear, “No one visited me,” only to learn we weren’t aware you were in the hospital or in crisis. Please let us know directly—don’t assume someone else already has.
• Did someone else reach out?
  A staff member or lay leader may be the first to respond, especially if they know you well. They care deeply too, and often serve as the front lines of pastoral care.
• Was the need shared clearly?
  If you mentioned something in a quick hallway conversation or during a busy moment, it might not have registered as a request for care. If something was missed, we welcome the opportunity to talk and make it right.

Emergencies and Time Away

Our pastors are available 24/7 for true emergencies. If a life-threatening or critical situation arises and the church is informed, someone will respond as soon as possible.

That said, pastors and staff are also human beings who need rest and sabbath time. During vacations and days off, we ask that you refrain from contacting them directly and trust that another pastor will be available to help.

If a specific staff member’s presence is important for a funeral or major event, we are glad to coordinate schedulingaround their availability when possible.

Help Us Care for One Another

We are blessed to be a growing church! With that growth comes the need for shared responsibility in caring for each other. If you feel called to be part of the pastoral care network—visiting, praying, preparing meals, or helping in other ways—we’d love to hear from you.

We’re in This Together

Pastoral care is not just the work of pastors—it is the work of the entire church. Thank you for your understanding, your grace, and your commitment to helping us reflect the love of Christ in all we do.

If you or a loved one needs care—or if you’d like to be part of the caring network—please reach out.

​“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
—Galatians 6:2