Caring Ministries

Stephen Ministry

The Stephen Series is a complete system for training and organizing lay people to provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in and around your congregation.

The Stephen Series provides congregations with the structure, training, and resources to set up and administer a complete system for lay caring ministry (called Stephen Ministry) in the congregation. In Stephen Ministry congregations, lay caregivers (called Stephen Ministers) provide one-to-one Christian care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it.

Trained Stephen Ministers are available to you. Please contact Rev. Karen Taylor for information.

NEW STEPHEN MINSITRY CLASS FORMING NOW
Christ Caring for People through People

Stephen Ministry equips laypersons to provide one-to-one Christian care in the church and community by training Stephen Ministers to listen and care for others.

Stephen Ministers make several commitments. First of all Stephen Ministers commit to demonstrate Christian love and service and to practice spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and regular worship.

Those selected for the next series of classes commit to participate fully in the fifty plus hours of training which will begin in January. Upon completion of this training, a care receiver will be assigned and the Stephen Minister will make weekly visits offering Christian care and support. These visits should normally last an hour.

In addition, participation is required in semi-monthly small group peer supervision and continuing education lasting approximately two hours. A two-year commitment (including the training time) is expected.

If you believe God is calling you to this ministry, request an application packet and class schedule. Once your completed application has been reviewed, you will be scheduled for an interview. Applications need to be received by August 19. Contact Reverend Karen Taylor at the church office, 229-8108 or Debbie Danner, 228-6256 with any questions.

Stephen Ministry Application
Stephen Ministry Training Schedule

Prayer Shawl Ministry

In 1998, Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo, two graduates of the 1997 Women's Leadership Institute at The Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut gave birth to a ministry as a result of their experience in this program of applied Feminist Spirituality under the direction of Professor Miriam Therese Winter, MMS. Compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry and spiritual practice which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy. Many blessings are prayed into every shawl.

Whether they are called Prayer Shawls, Comfort Shawls, Peace Shawls, or Mantles, etc., the shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way. Some recipients have continued the kindness by making a shawl and passing it onto someone in need. Thus, the blessing ripples from person-to-person, with both the giver and receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mothering God!

Paula Duncan is heading up this wonderful ministry that provides a prayer shwal to those in need. Please contact the office for information.

Homebound Ministry

Our Homebound Ministry is touching
the lives of seniors with kindness,
caring and the love of Christ.

At First United Methodist Church, our Homebound Ministry is designed to keep shut-ins and the sick connected with the church when they are unable to attend our worship services. This team cares for senior adults who are either in nursing homes, assisted living facilities or their own homes.

This ministry provides visits, phone calls, cards, administering of the Lord's Supper, gifts for special occasions, as well as, anything else to encourage thisgroup. Homebound Ministry volunteers carry out this vital ministry. We want those members confined to home to feel like part of the First Church family too!

If you are interested in participating as a volunteer in ministering to our homebound members, contact the church office at 229-8108.

Lenten Devotional - 2008

Lent is the season of forty days (not including Sunday's) prior to Easter. It has traditionally been a time of preparation for those who were to be baptized and received into the church. Over time Lent has become a time of examination and preparation for Easter by all Christians.

As a part of our preparation we would like to assemble a Lenten devotional written by our church members and friends. Guidelines for writing your devotion is given below.

GUIDELINES: We are requesting that your Lenten Devotion be approximately 150-250 words in length. You may want to refer to the Upper Room devotional for a model as to length and style. This is approximately one-page typewritten and double-spaced. Please title your devotion.

HELPS:
1. Begin with prayer concerning this endeavor.
2. Select a Scripture passage and carefully study and meditate on your Scripture.
3. Try to relate the Scripture with your own life experiences.
4. Make one particular point and then focus there on spiritual growth and nurturing of Christians.
5. Use clear, direct, and inclusive language.
6. Try to use language that appeals to the five senses (tell what you heard, saw, felt, touched, smelled, tasted and when appropriate use the dialogue to tell your story).
7. Avoid preachy type language such as "you need to" ... or "you ought to."
8. If you quote someone else's writings please give credit to the source/person you are quoting.

DEADLINE: Submissions need to be received by Monday, January 28, 2008. They can be sent electronically to lentenprayers@firstumcbs.org or submitted to the church office. Contact Rev. Karen at 229-8108 with any questions.