Support Groups

Support groups offer encouragement and support in times of life crises. Small groups offer hope and healing to those who have lost loved ones to death and those experiencing the pain of divorce and separation.

Deb Jones of our Physical and Emotional Support Team is in the process of reorganizing the Mary/Martha Meals Ministry Teams and creating a new team of volunteers to serve as an Immediate Response Team. Members of several Mary/Martha Teams will continue to organize and provide meals for those returning home from a hospital stay, or with other special needs. The Immediate Response Team will respond quickly to urgent needs for a meal, such as the death of loved ones or in response to emergency situations.

MARY/MARTHA MEALS MINISTRY REORGANIZING

As a church family, we care about one another. Responding to the physical and spiritual needs of our church family when special circumstances take place is especially important to us. Following the example of Mary and Martha found in Luke 10:38-42, we wish to be faithful servants of Jesus. With a true concern for both body and spirit, our service to others is motivated by our love for Christ and a desire to be supportive and helpful. As members of Ministry Teams we are never anxious or troubled as Martha was because we are never serving alone. Offering simple hospitality and extending the love of Christ through the work of our hands is the true reason for our ministry.

Members of several Mary/Martha Teams will continue to organize and provide meals for those returning home from a hospital stay, or with other special needs. The Immediate Response Team will respond quickly to urgent needs for a meal, such as the death of loved ones or in response to emergency situations.

Hope for the Holidays

Held in November, Hope for the Holidays offers information and support to those facing the holidays after the death of a loved one. The evening gathering provides a support group atmosphere in which to learn about grief responses to loss, and remember and celebrate the lives of loves ones. Contact Rev. Mary Lou Stephens at the church office for information.

Divorce Care

DivorceCare is a group of people brought together by one of lifes most difficult experiences, divorce. The group is made up of others who are anticipating, experiencing or have recently experienced divorce. DivorceCare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. The seminar included a video presentation of others experiences and plenty of time for discussion among your group. Different topics pertaining to divorce are presented each week. DivorceCare will help you deal with the pain of the past and look forward to rebuilding your life. DivorceCare groups are scheduled on a regular basis and child care is provided for your convenience.

Greeting Card Ministry

Special attention is give to those celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and other significant events, as well as those who need special expressions for comfort and caring.

Divorce Care

Children's Ministry

Mary Lou Stephens - Pastoral Care

equipping@richmondfumc.org

Leadrship Training Day

Hello Faithful Ones!

I wanted to add another personal invitation to Joni's Leadership Day invitation. This will be an important day for those of us who are excited about what the new year holds for us in terms of ministry. Bruce will be sharing some important insights about our mission statement and it's great potential for leading us forward. Everyone (all church members and those interested in knowing what is ahead for 2012) is invited to be there in the morning, while only ministry team leaders will be asked to stay for the afternoon session. Even if you are not the chair of a team, you are invited. The goal for that meeting is to inspire and educate us - especially new and retuning members of the various ministry teams and Administrative Council members - and to invite everyone to recommit themselves to living out our mission of being in ministry to the Richmond community and beyond - to making disciples of Jesus Christ who make a difference in the world. If you can be there to hear his report on the cottage meetings and be part of the discussion about implementing practical plans for doing GREAT things in the coming year - PLEASE PLAN TO BE WITH US!!

I am extending this extra invitation to you because I have known you to be faithful companions in ministry. I also know that you are faithful witnesses of your faith in Jesus Christ and that your time, energy, loving efforts and gifts for ministry have a great impact in the ministry of our church. This time together on Jan 21 will be a great beginning for a new year of ministry. It is more than another boring meeting - more that just "doing business" or hearing a pep talk - it will be a time to get our hearts and priorities in line with the vision God has for us. How exciting is that! We are a team - the body of Christ - and each individual part of that body is important. YOU are important! Your input, your understanding, your leadership in your area of ministry. Your role in the body of Christ is significant. As a loving community of believers that is devoted to Jesus Christ and seeks to be empowered by God's Holy Spirit, our commitment to seeking God's vision and guidance will lead us forward into the new year. Please come and be a part of this exciting time of new beginnings!

Blessings,

Mary Lou

Pastoral Care;

SAVE THE DATE!!! Women’s Spring Retreat has been set! Put Saturday, April 21 on your new 2012 calendar! Save this day as an entire day for enjoying friendship, fellowship, food and growth in faith! It will be a day of fun and adventure for sure! Contact Lori Chasse, Kathryn Phelps or Mary Lou Stephens for more info. Watch your worship bulletins and emails for details!

BECOMING A LOVING COMMUNITY Do you have a coffee mug from Commitment Sunday, September 29, 2002? It says the members’ vision for FUMC is... “To be a loving community of believers DEVOTED to Jesus Christ; EMPOWERED by the Holy Spirit; COMMITTED to sharing God’s grace and salvation to ALL.” On the back is says, “I said, YES!” By “making disciples who make a difference,” we have been saying YES! to that vision for 10 years and are still saying YES!

Volunteers who blend their gifts of time and compassion are making our vision of being a loving community of faith a reality. This spring we will be adding new pastoral care teams of volunteers who will say “YES” to serving as CARE CALLERS and CARING COMPANIONS for those whose life circumstances call for some extra Tender Loving Care. New members are being added to our Mary/Martha Meals teams and undergirding everything will be a firm foundation of prayer by our entire congregation and Prayer Chain members. Volunteers will receive training and support for their new volunteer positions, so saying yes to these opportunities to reach out in love will provide new skills in caregiving as well as the joy of giving.

Would you like to say, “YES!” to being a companion to those whose lives are touched by grief, or need a phone call of reassurance during a difficult time? Want to help prepare a meal, make a friendly visit, or say a prayer for someone facing or recovering from surgery? Please speak to Mary Lou Stephens by calling the church office at 623-3580.