Being a Telecare volunteer is more than giving the right response to someone at the right moment in the conversation. A computer program, perhaps even “Siri”, could succeed with getting it right at times. 

But the interaction between caller and call responder consists of more than intellectual head knowledge. The listener needs a heart brimming with love for those in emotional pain. 

Sharing their God-given compassion with the callers is an act of love according to volunteer Cheryl who says, “To me listening as a way to share love means that we are willing to come along side people where they are at, instead of where we want them to be.” Speaking to the temptation to control the conversation, Cheryl continues the thought of love-led listening. “This looks like compassionately and actively listening to their story and how they are feeling, without judgement and with love of who they are as a part of God’s family”.

She finishes on a personal note. “This is especially true for me at Telecare when engaging with callers who want to be heard, accepted, and understood.”

Fellow volunteer Rick concurs. “I definitely see listening as an act of love. We listen in order to understand where a person is at both emotionally and spiritually when they call. To be used of the Lord to meet peoples' emotional and spiritual needs, we need to be attuned both to them and to the Holy Spirit”. He concludes “When we listen attentively and care about their needs, our listening is an act of love”.

This unconditional love shows up at Telecare through volunteers having positive regard for each caller showing respect and dignity to the caller even when they share challenging stories and opinions.

For many of us volunteering is a way to practically live out one’s love for God and others, and to show thankfulness to God through service.