UUAA's Comfort Shawl Ministry

Do you knit or crochet? We welcome your contributions at any time to this ministry. 

Use this link to download the pattern for both knit and crochet versions of the shawl.

Use this link to download knit and crochet patterns for a baby blanket (coming soon!). 

Remember the shawls/blankets most often are for those among us who are experiencing grief and loss, but also the joy new parents/grandparents/caregivers experience when a child comes into our community.

UUAA will provide yarn for you, or you may purchase your own yarn given the specifications in the patterns. Contact rev. theresa to arrange to pick up yarn and a pattern  (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

When you are done, reach out by email or phone and we will make plans for a pick up/drop off. During this time of COVID-19 building hours for drop off may change unexpectedly, so a quick email will be best to make arrangements.

Memorial Support Team Members

Members of this ministry team provide caring, gracious hospitality to grieving families at a critical time. By being present to those celebrating the life of a loved one at its conclusion, members of this team deepen their appreciation of the tenderness of our time here, the meaning of our mortality, and the qualities of living that are of enduring value. Support from this ministry team frees the attention of the presiding minister to focus on the pastoral needs of the family and, with our professional music staff, on leading a memorial service of distinctive quality.

Team members serve as ushers for the memorial service by assisting the family with setup before the service in the lobby and sanctuary, welcoming guests, helping them to their seats as needed, handing out orders of service, opening and closing the sanctuary and social hall doors when appropriate, seating late comers, helping people find restrooms, coat rooms and other forms of hospitality as needed, and being ready to respond to emergencies that might arise with knowledge of first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, exit routes, and other emergency response and disaster plans.

In support of receptions members of this team help by arranging food for presentation on the serving tables, preparing the reception room by putting out table linens, food, drinks and eating utensils, during the reception by restocking serving tables, and after the reception by assisting with general cleanup, disposition of left-overs, and storage or laundering of table linens as needed.

For some receptions the team may procure refreshments on a budget provided by the family. At others the team may work in support of an outside caterer the family has hired, helping with the tasks outlined above as well as orienting the caterer to the specifics of our kitchen.

Memorial services provide first experiences of Unitarian Universalism for many people. Therefore, through this ministry, team members support sharing our UU religion with others. In our memorial services some of our values and distinctive UU approaches to finding and creating meaning in life are particularly visible. Also, income from memorial rental fees from outside families supports our general congregational operating budget which helps us better achieve our mission in the world together. A capable volunteer ministry team supporting memorial services helps make our congregation an attractive option for non-congregant memorial services.

Participation on the Memorial Support Team is open to all who would like to provide caring, gracious hospitality to grieving families. Training for the various roles within the team is provided. Members of the team are expected to assist with three to five or more memorials a year as they are able. Assisting at a given memorial service takes about three hours for most team roles.

The work of the Memorial Support Team is coordinated by the volunteer Memorial Support Team Coordinator, who is supported in turn by the Welcome Ministries Coordinator, Hannah Hotchkiss, and minister responsible for pastoral care, Rev. Mark Evens.

Memorial Support Team Coordinators
[This is an extended vision for this position that goes beyond what has been expected in the past or committed to by the person presently serving. Recruiting of one or more additional coordinators may be necessary to make this enlarged role feasible.]
Memorial Support Team Coordinators work with the Welcome Ministries Coordinator and the minister responsible for pastoral care to recruit and train members of the Memorial Support Team.

On an on-going basis, the coordinators are responsible for:

• Receiving requests for assistance from families working with a UUAA minister on a memorial to be hosted by our congregation.
• Notifying team members of up-coming memorial services
• Coordinating team member participation so that an adequate number of volunteers are present to support each memorial service/reception
• Coordinating team members present at a given memorial to best cover the various roles
• Helping the family plan refreshments, by suggesting types and quantities of foods and beverages, a possible budget; if appropriate helping procure planned refreshments
• During the memorial and reception, being a communication hub for the custodian in charge of furniture set-up, the presiding minister, and family members responsible for the memorial and reception to help address any last minute issues and coordinate volunteer response to needs

Memorial Support Team Coordinators are members in good standing of the congregation, have good interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills. Use of email is important for sharing and coordinating plans.

Memorial Support Team Coordinators are recruited, trained and supported by the Welcome Ministries coordinator and the minister responsible for pastoral care in collaboration with the other Memorial Support Team Coordinators.

Pastoral Care at UUAA

Pastoral care is the support and love we offer each other, congregant to congregant, within the beloved community. Compassionate care for each other is one of the core values of our congregation. It is part of our covenant with each other - to dwell together in peace, to search for truth in love and to help one another.    

UUAA’s Pastoral Care team is available to you if you are experiencing:

• Grief related to the loss or upcoming loss of someone important to you    
• Illness (your own or of someone close to you)  
• Loneliness 
• Depression or anxiety 
• Changes in employment 
• Relationship challenges such as with parenting, spouse/partner, divorce situation, or in a work situation 
• Challenging caregiving responsibilities
• Loss of beloved pet 
• Joys and/or stresses associated with a new baby or adoption 
• Changes in living situation that are stressful 
• Other life transitions/situations

What the team can provide

We know that grief, illness, solitude and immobility can have a profound impact on health and well-being. You don’t have to do this alone. The Pastoral Care Team is here for you.

We provide . . . 

• Meal support at times of illness, births, death  
• Visits and/or phone support for those who are ill, hospitalized, or homebound,  including those who are in retirement communities and nursing homes
• Support at time of death and grief over loss(es). 
• Transportation, for example to and from medical appointments
• Connections with community services
• Regular check-ins with those who might be struggling with transitions 
• Cards  
• Handknit comfort shawls 
• Education programs related to care/support situations 

How to reach the Pastoral Care Team

If you find yourself in a hardship or otherwise stressful situation our Pastoral Care team may be able to assist you.   Volunteers are thoughtful, generous UUAA members who provide various types of comfort and assistance.  Our ministerial staff is also available for consultation, comfort, and assistance as needed. Pastoral care conversations are considered confidential. Every effort is made to maintain the privacy of a congregant.

Just as important, if you are aware that a fellow congregant is in need of support, let us know your concerns. Always obtain permission before sharing details about someone’s medical or personal condition with the team. 

Contact the Pastoral Care Coordinator, the rev. theresa rohlck, either by phone at (734) 665-6158 (ext 2) or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Pastoral Care Team at UUAA for 2021-2022

Pastoral Care is coordinated by rev. theresa rohlck, UUAA’s Congregational Chaplain.  

The six member pastoral care team works closely with rev. theresa to provide and coordinate pastoral care for the UUAA community.  

Current members are Julie Dybdahl, Lucy Graff, LB Hilbert, Sherry McCargar, Karl Sikkenga, Priscilla Spencer.  See their photos using this link.

Comfort Shawl Ministry

Volunteers knit or crochet shawls and blankets for those among us who are experiencing grief and loss, but also the joy of being a new parent/grandparent/caregiver when a child comes into our community.  Click here for information about the Comfort Shawl Ministry

UUAA’s Pastoral Care Network

On Sunday, May 19th, 2019, the new UUAA Pastoral Care Network was introduced to the Congregation. This network approach combines the skills and strengths of the ministerial team and the congregation to provide assistance to all members of the beloved community. A key element of the network is congregant to congregant care (congregants providing help to each other). We are building a database of care. If you are interested in learning more about service in this capacity, please contact the Pastoral Care Coordinator/Congregational Chaplain, rev. theresa rohlck. (734) 665-6158 (ext 2) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..