Caring for One Another

Caring for one another is an important part of our life together at First Parish. If you are a member of our community who is in need of pastoral care or counseling, we invite you to reach out to a member of our ministerial staff, or to the lay members of our Pastoral Care Team.

Our ministers are available to provide pastoral care and spiritual counsel on a short-term basis to members of our community who are in need. In addition to our clergy, members of our lay pastoral care team provide support such as active listening, offering kind words of support, and sending cards. The team also assists with practical needs such as providing resources, rides, or meals. Pastoral Care is a community effort, and anyone can offer or receive help.

The Pastoral Care Coordinating Team—Rashid Shaikh, Chris McElroy, Cushing Giesey, and Valerie Fullum—works with Rev. Rob Hardies and Sophia Doescher to provide confidential support. Team members respond to Joys and Sorrows on Sundays as needed, while Jane Sturtevant often sends cards.

If you would like to connect with a member of our Team about a concern, or would like to have your joy or sorrow shared from the pulpit as part of our prayers on Sunday morning, please email us at Care@firstparishcambridge.org.

If you would like to speak with a minister, please contact Rev. Rob Hardies at rhardies@firstparishcambridge.org, or Sophia Doescher at sdoescher@firstparishcambridge.org.