Congregational Care
There is a place for you to serve or be served in Congregational Care Ministry!
Congregation Care Ministry
There are many facets to Congregation Care Ministry at First UMC Gilbert. This ministry continues to grow to meet the needs of our congregation. Programming includes:
Congregational Care Ministers
Working closely with and reporting to the Pastors, these persons are carefully selected, trained, equipped, and called to serve the congregation in a deeper ways than the Pastors could on their own. For a list of requirements and an application, contact pastoradriana@gilbertumc.org.
Prayer Ministers
These persons support the worship services with prayer. They are available and scheduled to pray with persons one-to-one at the close of each service. They also help with Prayer vigils and walks. Contact pastoradriana@gilbertumc.org.
Health & Wellness
The group keeps us healthy by providing services like the blood pressure Sundays and the blood drives. They also maintain the Medical Lending Closet with any item someone may need in convalescence. Contact tpinedarn@mac.com.
Food Tidings
This group supports healing through providing meals at difficult times or illness. Hundreds of meals have been delivered already this year. To be added to the call list, contact elliekoenig@gmail.com
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Yarn artists create beautiful works of art and then cover the shawl with prayer to bring comfort and hope. These works of art become comforting to those in need of prayer or support during difficult times. To participate or for more information, contact Lori Van Dam at mandydog@q.com.
Homebound Communion
Communion is taken to the homebound following worship on the 1st Sunday of the month. Meet in the Sanctuary at 12:15pm. Instructions are given as to what to say and do, and directions given to the homes. Most are back to the church by 2:00pm. To participate contact pastordadriana@gilbertumc.org.
Prayer Chain
Around 50 people now participate in the prayer chain ministry. All have signed a covenant of confidentiality and commitment. These are the people who hold in prayer the request made each week in worship or online. Handwritten notes sent to response to these requests are written by Congregational Care Ministers. To be added to the prayer chain contact prayers@gilbertumc.org.
Care Kits
Kits are made up for persons with cancer or injury/limb surgery containing devotional materials and things that are useful for healing and enjoyment. For a complete list of items included, contact us. We also use stuffed animals and dolls, inspiring religious books and items, clinging crosses, and new Bibles. Small pillows for kits are made by sewers in the congregation.
Birthday/Anniversary Cards
Member birthday and anniversaries, that we are aware of, are recognized with handmade birthday and anniversary cards. To join the group that likes to create and mail out the cards each month, contact Mollie Belcher at billandmollie@hotmail.com.
Pastoral Counseling
When our Pastors cannot meet your needs they have a network available and can refer you to who can. All counseling is confidential. To set up an appointment, contact the church office at 480-892-9166.
In addition to the different services there are Congregation Care Support Groups
- GriefShare
- DivorceCare
- Alzheimer’s Association
- MS Support Group