Care

Our Council Mission Statement: "Touching lives for Christ by engaging the congregation in caring for one another, maintaining a connection with each member, and providing opportunities for fellowship

In 2007 Care Council welcomed Pastor Sue Hamilton as our advisor. Our members were Joanne Yost and Lois Thorp who served as Co-Chairs, Mark Amos, Jim Combs, Jerry Craig (who joined us in September), Darlene Irwin, Pat Kirby, Jackie Lindsey, Joyce Morse, Marge Sarringar, and Bev Stout (who joined us in November)

Care Council added three new areas of caring in 2007: The first is Senior Ministries, which began officially in July with an ice cream social, and we had another in November. Both events were well attended and very well received. More events are planned for 2008, the first being a luncheon on February 1.

Our second ministry this year was the After-Worship Ministry. Someone is available in the chapel after every service to pray with anyone who seeks individual prayer. The After-Worship Minister also prays for the entire congregation as they leave.

The third new ministry this year was Care Ministry Training. This was overseen by Pastor Sue Hamilton. Invitations went out to other area churches for anyone interested in improving their skills in hospital or home visitation, listening and caring for those who are home bound, ill or dying. More than thirty individuals participated in the nine week training including fourteen from Southminster. This event will hopefully become an annual one.

Care Council continued all our existing ministries, which included the Care Connection. There were six calling teams sharing the responsibility of contacting each member household six times per year. People are reminded during each call that they will be prayed for during the following Wednesday’s Intercessory Prayer Service, and they are asked if they have any special prayer requests. Connections made = 805

An extension of the Care Connection, the Intercessory Prayer Service, is held every Wednesday evening in the chapel. This is where the families and the prayer requests from the previous Sunday’s calls are brought before God. Prayer requests for 2007 = 415

We also have a prayer chain for more immediate prayer requests. There are currently seventeen callers in the chain. Prayer requests honored in 2007 = 167

SUNSHINE MINISTRY is responsible for sending cards to the membership for various life events: sickness, hospitalizations, deaths, etc. Cards sent in ’07=103.

Additionally a weekly mailing, called HomeTouch, is sent to our homebound members or those residing in care centers to help these members continue to feel connected to the church family. HomeTouch mailed weekly = 27, reaching 36 members

LAMB MINISTRY: This year more than 50 Lambs have been given by members of the congregation, or visitors, to people in need of comfort and prayer.

CRISIS HOSPITALITY AND BEREAVEMENT Our council offers to provide and serve refreshments or a meal after any member’s funeral service or visitation. We have also provided and/or coordinated meals for members who have been ill or hospitalized and would benefit by having food furnished for a short while. Between 7 and 10 families were served by this ministry in 2007.

SUNDAY COFFEE FELLOWSHIP Care Council is in charge of the encouraging and scheduling of groups to provide and serve refreshments each Sunday morning in the Coffee Corner between and after services.

STEPHEN MINISTRY This is a ministry of presence and of caring for anyone facing a difficult situation. A new Minister-in-Training began classes in September and will join the group in the spring. In 2007, every Stephen Minister served at least one Care Receiver. In 2008 a new leader will receive training.