DEACON MINISTRIES MISSION STATEMENT:
"Encouraging our church community to care for each other as Christ cares for us."

The staff and volunteers of Care Ministry have made a commitment to be a compassionate friend who cares; standing with one another in the midst of pain, sharing in the experiences of suffering and brokenness. We want to stand together in finding the healing, growth, hope, and joy that God through Christ intends for all.

Care Ministries is...

Bereavement Ministry
The Bereavement Ministry is committed to emotional and spiritual support for those who have lost loved ones. It reaches out to members and the community through Bereavement Workshops. Two Bereavement Workshops are offered throughout the year in partnership with the Hospice of the VNA of St. Luke's Hospital:

Seasons of Change – a bereavement workshop for adults. The workshops are held on Thursdays, both in the morning at 10 a.m. - noon, and evenings at 6:30-8:30 p.m. for your convenience. The 2007 schedule is as follows:
Spring 2008: April 17 – May 22
No Summer Session

Ryan's Tree for Grieving Children is a support group for children ages 5-18 who are coping with a death of a loved one. This group meets Mondays except where noted. See the schedule below:
Spring 2008: April 14 – May 19; 6:30-8:15 p.m.
Summer Camp: June 21; 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

There is no fee for either workshop. Pre-registration is required. For more information, or to register call Rev. Anne Huey, 610-954-1100, ext. 2835.

A bereavement support group also meets the first Wednesday of every month from 2-3:30 p.m. in Room F1/F2.

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Disaster Recovery Ministry
A ministry committed to preparing for and responding to those affected by disaster by providing support for their physical, spiritual and emotional needs.

Divorce Recovery Workshops are held twice a year in the Spring and Fall, and cover issues that are relevant to those experiencing the turmoil of a broken marriage. Led by Bonnie Fisher. To register, or for more information call Kathie Welker at 610-317-6162 ext. 228. Download a registration form here or look for them throughout the church.

Health and Wholeness Ministry
This ministry promotes Whole Body Stewardship. God's Call to a Healthy Mind, Body, and Soul meets regularly for prayer, discussion on healthy lifestyle choices, and exercise to Christian Music. Also included is the Blood Pressure and Parish Nursing Ministries. For information, contact the Care Ministry Office.

Blood Pressure Ministrants provide free blood pressure screenings on the second and fourth Sunday of each month
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Parish Nurse Ministry: What is a parish nurse? An independent practitioner of professional nursing that promotes health and healing from a faith perspective.
What do Parish Nurses do?
• Act as teachers and health counselors to promote healthy life styles and effective ways to deal with life’s struggles and transitions.
• Act as advocates for those who need support within the health care delivery system.
• Act as referral agents for those in need of resources within the community.
• Act as volunteer coordinators within the congregation.
• Offer spiritual care and support through Bible references and analogies, listening, affirmation, encouragement and prayer.

Hospital Ministrants assist the pastoral staff by visiting and offering members and their families spiritual support before, during, and after a hospital stay.

Because of the new HIPA laws, those admitted to the hospital should give our code number, 713, so that permission can be given for us to be informed. To ensure that we are aware, please call the Care Ministry Office.

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Phone Ministry is a way to connect with and care for our senior adult members and those who have recently joined our church family. They also provide an opportunity for members to share joys and concerns. This is done on a yearly basis by telephone.

The Prayer Ministry is a combination of a Prayer Team, daily Prayer Chain, and a weekly Prayer Concerns List. The 45 member Prayer Chain will pray for your request for 2 weeks. The Prayer Concerns List is printed weekly and is available on the Community Bulletin Board in the Link and on the literature rack outside the main office. Arrangements can be made to meet with our Prayer Team for a special service.

If you have a prayer concern, please complete a prayer request card and place it in either the box at the back of the center aisle in the Sanctuary or the box by the literature rack outside the Kirk Center, contact the Care Ministry office, or email prayer@fpc-bethlehem.org. For additional information, contact the Care Ministry Office.

Senior Adult Ministry
This ministry organizes services and programs for the senior members of the congregation. This includes Hi-Neighbors, Senior Adult Sunday, Home Communion, Easter & Christmas flower delivery, and support for Westminster Village and Kirkland Village. For information, contact the Care Ministry Office.

Stephen Ministry
The Stephen Ministry is a program of our congregation that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to all kinds of life needs and circumstances. New ministers are currently needed to help the pastoral staff care for our congregation. Training is required. For additional information, contact the Care Ministry Office.

Support Groups
Christian 12-Step Program meets weekly to help those struggling with addictive, compulsive, or co-dependent issues.

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