|
|
|
|
OTHER ADULT MINISTRIES New Beginnings A class for new members is held twice a year. The purpose of the class is to learn about Methodism, the United Methodist Church, what we believe, what we stand for, what it means to be a member of the United Methodist Church, discerning our spiritual gifts, and determining how to use your gifts at Gay Street United Methodist Church. Contact David Baker (392-6626) for information.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministers are the newest ministry of our church. Named after Stephen in the book of Acts, Stephen Ministers provide distinctively Christian care giving to persons who have experienced: a new baby in the household, loss of job, hospitalization, sickness, divorce, and any other life experience. Stephen Ministers have been trained and will continue monthly training and accountability meetings. Stephen Ministers keep all conversations in strictest confidence. If because of a life experience, you would like to talk with a Stephen Minister, please contact David Baker directly. Stephen Minister training will be held Sunday mornings (9:30-10:30) October 1-November 12, with consecration of the new Stephen Ministers on November 12. This is for new Stephen Ministers.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
If you have been “needled” with the urge to do something with your hands and heart, then “hook” up with us! We will help you find the right needles for knitting or the proper hook for crocheting. If you already know how to do these arts and are willing to help us, please contact us for suggested patterns. We can also supply you with yarn if you need that to get started. For those of you that are shut in and want to participate, by contacting us, we will be able to deliver the yarn to your door and pick up the shawl when completed. Want to learn how? Join our casual prayer shawl group that sits in the Red Parlor each Sunday morning between 9:40 and 10:30. This started in November with Virginia Kline helping to lead us beginners. We will be helping each other during the month of December while Virginia is needed with the Children @ CrossRoads for some special Around the World Christmas lessons. Not to Fear! She will return in January. And, in the mean time, the rest of you who know how and aren’t already involved during this time frame can come, sit with us and help us along. It’s a great time for male and female alike to put our hands into outreach action for all those needing God and our prayers. Don’t hesitate to join us even if you find yourself to be “all thumbs”. We will enjoy your company and prayer support (it is reported that even Pastor David is watching how to do this and maybe persuaded to make one in addition to the prayers he already offers this ministry.) Come join us! Contact: Debbie at our church office: 392-6626 or email: debbie@gaystreetumc.org Contributions: Gay Street United Methodist Church memo: Prayer Shawls
Wednesday Night Fellowship Meal and Bible Studies On Wednesdays, we find a gathering place around food, at 5:45 p.m. This supper follows our children’s choir practices. Everyone is invited and encouraged to come for supper, for just a $2 per-person donation. It is truly an intergenerational time, with infants to great-grandparents sharing conversation over the dinner table, with great food cooked by our Kitchen Manager, Christine Hamilton and supper attendees who volunteer their help. Supper is offered each Wednesday when children’s choirs practice. We encourage you to come, visit, and get to know your church family! Cook’s helpers, as well as clean-up helpers, are always needed. You may contact Christine Hamilton (392-4929) or just come Wednesday evening – beginning September 6.
E-Devotionals This online ministry provides a daily “in-touch” ministry with the on-going life of the church. Each day you will receive a devotional, church announcements, and a prayer list from the our church. To sign up, contact Colleen at the office (392-6626 or colleenhicks@earthlink.net ISS Food Sunday The first Sunday of the month is Interchurch Social Services Food Sunday. Items may be put into the boxes at the Chapel entrance and in the hallway outside the upstairs parlor. They are then taken to the Interchurch Social Services food pantry. Care Team This group meets at 7:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month to consciously review the needs of our church family. Prayer, visits, notes, and phone calls are all tools that this team uses when people need Christian care at various CrossRoads of their lives. This group also helps us keep track of attendance at Sunday morning worship. Roger Marra can give you more information (392-5412). Agape PatriaVolunteers share as we provide a place and food for families to gather after a memorial service. Families who have lost loved ones live across the country (and world) and when they come to the church for a service remembering the life of a loved one, they are seeking a place to gather and receive healing hospitality. Agape Patria participants cook, set tables, serve, and clean up. If you would like to be on call for this essential ministry of our church, please talk with Norma Siekkinen (397-4386). CROP WALK Church World Service is an organization of 36 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations who are committed to bringing hope, sustainable self-help and development, disaster relief, and refugee assistance to more than 80 countries. The United Methodist Church is a member of this ecumenical family that puts Christ’s love into action. CROP Walks helped raise more than $26,000,000 last year. O Hot Meals This is a team that cooks, welcomes, talks with and feeds persons and families who cannot make their food money stretch for the whole month. We serve Hot Meals on Fridays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. This hands-on ministry gives us the opportunity for hospitality that builds relationships with people we don’t know, and also provides a helping hand. Talk with Christine Hamilton to sign up for this ministry (392-4929).
|
More then 100 shawls have now been made,
prayed over, consecrated and delivered. We are grateful for the hands that
prayerfully make these and for hearts filled with prayers for those who will
receive them. This ministry was introduced to us by Mary Kepple and continues to
grow. This outreach is so great that we are faced with the good issue of not
having any left from month to month.