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.

Stephen Ministers

Providing a one-to-one listening ear, these persons are assigned to congregants by the Pastors in times of crisis, to walk with them one-on-one as they move through the crisis to a place of wholeness.  The are trained, equipped, and called for this specific task.  For 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

This group meets the second Thursday at 1:00pm to pray and knit or crochet shawls for times of need.  They cover the shawl with prayer to bring comfort and hope.  They also work on their own to supply the large number given out each year.  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 and Stephen 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.  Future plans are for a children’s hospital kit and New Baby kit.  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 Pastor Diamond or Pastor Rick at 480-892-9166.

 

In addition to the different services there are Congregation Care Support Groups

  • GriefShare
  • DivorceCare
  • Living Hope
  • Hurting Moms, Mending Hearts
  • Alzheimer’s Association