Pastoral care is the very soul of this Christian community. For each of us, there are times in life when we need loving support from others, and times when we can offer it to others. Find here, your opportunities for both.

If you have an immediate need and would like to connect with a member of our pastoral team, you can email pastoral@columba.org or call 202-669-4856.

House Blessing

Moving or renovating? A member of our clergy would happily come and offer a house blessing. The Celebration for a Home service includes prayers for each room of the house, the people who live in the home, and all who come and go from the place. Reach out to a member of our clergy team to learn more and schedule an occasion for a house blessing!

Blessing of a Child

Welcoming a baby or child into your family? There are prayers and blessings clergy can offer at the birth of a child, either while in the hospital or once a family has returned home. Likewise, we have blessings for adoption. We hope you will keep the clergy team informed of births, adoptions, and fostering in your family. We are ready to celebrate and pray with you! 

There are, of course, occasions when an emergency baptism may feel appropriate because of urgent medical needs after birth. Please reach out to the pastoral care line (202-669-4856) for such circumstances or in the event of pregnancy loss, stillbirth and other traumatic birth events.

Hospital Visits

Clergy and other pastoral caregivers in the congregation will gladly visit you in the hospital. 

If you are having surgery, please let us know when we can come pray with you in advance of the surgery; clergy are often able to join you in pre-op for prayer and anointing. 

Home Communion

When you are homebound, in the hospital or rehabilitation center, or otherwise unable to be at church, members of the pastoral care team can bring communion to you. The same bread and wine that is blessed in our services on Sunday morning will be brought to you, offering a point of connection with the worshipping community gathered in person. Communion can offer comfort and solace in times of separation and need. Email pastoral@columba.org to coordinate a visit. 

Pastoral Care 

Pastoral care from clergy and lay pastoral caregivers is available for all of life’s joys and challenges. The Episcopal Church has prayers and services for just about everything! The pastoral care team is ready to listen and walk with you through the many circumstances of life. Please reach out whenever you are in need. 

If you have a planned or emergency hospital stay, please also inform the clergy so we may hold you in prayer and visit you during that time. 

Email pastoral@columba.org or call 202-669-4856. 

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
MATTHEW 25:35