IFFP has always strived to be a community that takes good care of one another: whether it be providing meals for someone who is ill, sharing joys and concerns during Gatherings, or visiting one another after a major life event. Through the years, IFFP clergy and community members alike have found ways to be present for one another during challenging times, life transitions, and happy milestones. We formalized this essential aspect of IFFP through the creation of the IFFP Care Team.
When Would I Contact the Care Team?
You can contact us for any reason, at any time. For instance, you may feel motivated to reach out if you are mourning the loss of someone dear, navigating an illness or life transition, preparing to welcome a new baby, feeling disconnected from others, or simply feeling like some additional support and/or prayer could be helpful.
What does the Care Team Offer?
We are here to be a confidential source of support and connection for all IFFP members. We can visit with you, help organize a meal train, provide interfaith prayers and secular poems, offer to share your news with the IFFP community, or just be a listening ear. Above all, we are here to meet you where you are and remind you that you are not alone.
How Can I Contact the Care Team?
We encourage you to email us at care@iffp.org. Please know that what you share with us is held in confidence unless you give us permission to tell the wider community.
How Can I Share a Concern or Joy in the “Care Concerns” in the Weekly Bulletin?
You can write to care@iffp.org the Monday before each IFFP bulletin goes out and ask that your particular concern or joy be included in the bulletin. This way, IFFP members can hold you in their hearts and/or prayers.
WHO IS ON THE CARE TEAM?
Along with Reverend Sam and Rabbi Debbie, the Care Team includes the following IFFP members who feel especially motivated to extend care to our community.
As a pastor, I welcome opportunities for deep connection and conversation with people of all ages. Life is full of ups and downs, reasons to mourn and to celebrate. I want to be here for you throughout it all. Please feel encouraged to reach out. I look forward to all that we will share. See Reverend Sam’s full bio here.
Being IFFP’s rabbi is a continuing source of joy and stability for me, and for that to be true, it means that the community needs to be nurtured. I am dedicated to serving you as a source of support, a ready ear, and as a cheerleader. Reach out to me whenever you want to, really, it is never a bother. See Rabbi Debbie’s full bio here.
As a nurse and health and wellness coach, and the oldest child in a large family, I have lots of experience in a caring and supportive role. I am delighted to join the IFFP Care Team to be a resource for the community.
I, Heidi Anderson, care about you. Please reach out to me – no need is too small or too big. Background: My family have been IFFP members since 2015, we have two cats, and we live amongst all the beautiful Takoma Park trees.
I hope to serve as a point of contact regarding “connection.” I can be a sounding board and/or bridge to IFFP resources to find connection. Since IFFP uniquely connects me to parts of my spiritual self, I’d like to help others who seek this at IFFP.
It’s an honor to serve on the Care Team. Since we joined in 1998, this community has supported my family and me with abundant love and care. Under Rev. Sam and Rabbi Debbie’s guidance, I hope to do my part in paying that care forward.
I feel honored to be part of the IFFP Care Team! Our family have been members since 2016, with a break in between. My background is in art and education, and I love to meditate, spend time in nature, cook and laugh. I hope to be a support to you and your family.
Our family joined IFFP in 1996 when we were just a two-room Sunday School. As our community has grown, so have the needs of the community. In this difficult world, we navigate, I am happy to connect on a deeper level and be a source of comfort and support to those having especially difficult times or those perhaps feeling just a bit lonely and anxious. I love our community and I am here for you.
My family has been part of IFFP for a long time. What I’ve noticed about IFFP families is that they are creative–because they’ve had to be. As a teacher and expressive arts therapist, I love being with people in whatever ways they find helpful at important and sometimes messy intersections in their lives.
I want to give back to IFFP, the Care team feels right for me. We all need care!
Can I Join the IFFP Care Team?
If you are feeling moved to care for the IFFP community in this way, please contact Reverend Sam to learn more about how you can participate in or support the work of the Care Team. We also welcome your ideas and feedback as we continue to shape this new team! Please reach out at any time. We are holding each of you in our hearts and are excited to be on this journey together.
Contact the IFFP Care Team at care@iffp.org.