Wednesdays from 7-8 pm, Alternates between In-Person and Video
This group gathers together weekly to pray for specific prayer requests received from members of our church community. They also do fun fellowship things together like picnics and potlucks!
Bimonthly on 2nd & 4th Tuesdays from 10-11:30 am via Video
This Caregivers Group is primarily for people who are caring for their spouses and want to be part of a community of others who understand the joys and challenges of caregiving for spouses. This group gathers via Video twice a month to support, encourage, and pray for one another. They also read books together that inform and inspire their caregiving journeys.
Monthly on Thursdays, 6:30-8 pm with Facilitators Dawn Whittington and Nicki Knowles
This group is specifically for people who are caring for their parents or in-laws, where resources can be shared and support for the journey can be found. Although it was formed with people who are caring for their parents in mind, others who find themselves in similar caregiving situations are welcome!
Stephen Ministry offers one-on-one virtual care to listen, to pray, and to care for you in this season.
We offer a listening ear during hard times such as loss of a job, journeying through divorce or grief, handling a medical diagnosis, struggling with caregiving. You are not alone.
Interested? Email Pastor Hope Ledbetter-Bock at hope@fvumc.org or text “Stephen Ministry” to 919-762-6476.
Just as leaves fall from trees and the warmth of summer gives way to cold winter winds, so too our faith goes through seasons.
The end of a relationship. A painful diagnosis. The loss of a job or loved one. A move to an unfamiliar place. There are countless things that can usher in seasons of loneliness, pain, grief, and doubt. These seasons may start suddenly or build over time, but everyone experiences them.
Stephen Ministers are trained serve those who are journeying through such seasons. A Stephen Minister comes alongside a hurting person and meets with that person on a weekly basis to listen, care, encourage, pray, and provide emotional and spiritual support. Men are paired with men; women with women.
If you or someone you know is in need of confidential spiritual caregiving, contact Bob Hight at rhight1@icloud.com to request a Stephen Minister.
Congregational Care
— Pastor Valerie Tyson
“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought
to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should
do as I did to you.” – John 13:14-15
Several years ago, I packed up my bags and moved to Charleston, South Carolina to pursue my dream of studying the Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University.
In the kitchen, whenever the chef called out “demo,” that was our cue to gather around and watch as the chef “demonstrated” a particular skill or cooking method. After watching the demo, we were expected to put into practice what the chef had modeled.
Sometimes when studying the Scriptures, I can almost hear Jesus calling “demo,” bringing the disciples around to pay careful attention to what he was doing.
Remember the Passover meal, for example. Jesus rose, girded himself with a towel, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet. When he had finished, he explained to them that they should follow his example.
Among the lessons gleaned from Jesus is that we are to serve one another in humility and love.
Over the past several weeks, we have celebrated the lives of several members who have gone to join the Church Triumphant in heaven!
While we celebrate their lives, we also grieve the absence of their presence among us. It is a difficult time for family and friends.
During these challenging days, the influence of Jesus upon our hearts and lives can be visibly seen as the church gathers round in selfless ways to serve. Previous commitments come to a halt as visitations are attended, tables are laid with linens, casseroles are baked and ice fetched to cool beverages. Cards are made by hand and sent to family members.
Grief Share classes are offered by loving servants; phone calls are made. Prayers are offered. A pat on the back is given. All of these gestures are offered in love and comfort. Jesus has provided the “demo,” and disciples through the ages have paid attention.
These are some of the ways we “Serve God” at FVUMC. Thank you, brothers and sisters.
Peace,
Pastor Valerie Tyson, vtyson@fvumc.org
Pastor of Welcoming & Congregational Care
Stephen Ministry at FVUMC offers trained lay people for caring ministry.
Loving others in Jesus’ name is a challenge and an opportunity for all God’s children. Likewise, the joy of helping others is the privilege of all Christians, for the Holy Spirit has given gifts to each Christian to use in service to others and to build up the church.
The next training begins Sept. 30 at 6:30pm. If you have questions, please contact one of the Pastors or call the church office to be connected with a Stephen Leader.