Care Ministry

Reminder…..when you hear news about members who are ill, having day surgery, hospitalized, in need of prayer or visit, a note or card, or “care” of any kind……. please notify the church office (898-2911) or call Judy Traup. Most times this is the only way, due to the Privacy Act, that we become aware of members situations and needs.

As of January, 2008, Judy Traup is the chairperson for Care ministry. Judy is replacing Diane Gerlach.

Many “thanks” to Marie Adams, Janet and Bob Bair, Jeanette Bomberger, Donna Dumeyer, Bruce and Diane Gerlach, Joanne Grim, Gloria Grube, Millie Gundel, Bing Ingersol, Janet and Harry Musselman, Nancy Price, Joan Oberrender, Jim Shelley, Bruce Stockman, Dennis Dezort, Partor Ladonna, and Pastor Rick…….for their help and support with the Christmas Communion Service and Luncheon for Seniors. AND, thanks to the Zion seniors who made the event a great success by attending. It was especially good to see Evelyn Cramer, Anna Mary Herr, and Carl Nolt. (The chair lift is an invaluable asset for access to the social room for these events!)

Our transportation ministry is available for any member of the Zion family who needs assistance getting to appointments, the hospital, shopping, church services/ activities, etc. Please call Judy or the church office 898-2911 in advance of the appointment day.

Reminder (again) to please notify the church office (898-2911) when you hear news about members who are ill, having day surgery, hospitalized, in need of a visit, a note or card, or help of any kind. Most times this is the only way (due to the Privacy Act) that we become aware of members situations and needs. If you (or you know someone) would like to schedule home communion, please call the church office (898-2911).

Jennifer Barley is always "receptive" to offers for help with meals for members. She maintains a list of “meal makers” who have supported and provided meals to families during times of need. Do not wait for Jen to call you; call Jen to volunteer your “gift of time and talent.” When you hear of someone who would appreciate help with meals during times of illness, recuperation from surgery, a new baby, a move, a death in the family, etc., please call Jenn or the church office.

2007 ANNUAL REPORT

Thank you to all of you who contributed time and talents for the care of Zion’s members. God blessed this family of Zion with “active laity” again during 2007. Care ministry involves all of us doing what Christ asked us to do…minister to the lonely, the old, the young, the ill, the imprisoned, the unemployed, the bereaved, the hungry, etc. Care Ministry includes all of these actions “within the walls of Zion.” We are the ministers of the church; we are the ones who minister to one another whenever there is a need. However, Zion requires your help to keep us informed of the needs of our brothers and sisters. It is difficult to know the needs of all of our members, unless we can depend on YOU to assist by informing us of who, what, when and where the touch of Jesus is needed. WE are His hands, His feet, and His love! HE and WE are dependent upon one another!

Each one of us is a vital member of the Care Ministry Team. Many of you have “served” on the Care Ministry Team during 2007 but have not acknowledged that to yourself! If you have visited members, sent cards or notes to members, made a phone call, delivered flowers, made a meal, or reached out in any way to another member…..you have “done” Care Ministry. THANK YOU to those who responded with a “yes” for specific requests during the 2007 year.

Some of the on-going actions and activities the Care Ministry Team provided during the 2007 year included:

visitation to our shut-ins

visitation to our members in retirement homes

visitation to our hospitalized, ill and recuperating members

delivery of alter flowers

delivery of special flowers at Christmas and Easter

delivery of baskets for new babies

preparation of meals to members in need

transportation for members as requested

sending of cards for baptisms, weddings, to the hospitalized and ill, to the bereaved, new members, graduates, etc.

2008 PLAN FOR MINISTRY

This ministry team will continue to:
1.      Monitor the membership records
2.      Provide support to the church staff
3.      Use Time, Talent and Spiritual Gifts of our members to involve and encourage one another to do the care ministry of the church in His Name and for His Glory
4.      Provide “care” ministry and information to members, as requested

New goal for 2008 is to provide information and participate in continuing resource programs and seminars for team members.

Continuing goals of the Care Ministry Team are to provide assistance, support, and to extend Christian compassion to our members in the following congregational ministry areas:
• arrange for visitation to our shut-ins/homebound
• arrange for special flowers to our shut-ins at Easter and Christmas
• deliver altar flowers to members
• assist with visitation of hospitalized members as requested
• provide goodwill baskets to members with new babies
• provide meals to members as needed
• provide transportation to members when requested
• offer support and encouragement to our “senior members”
• provide service and or assistance to members who have questions regarding household repair/maintenance/clean-up jobs, automobile concerns, etc.
• send cards for baptisms, birthdays, weddings, new members, hospitalized/ill, bereaved, shut-ins and homebound
• provide service and support to members for funeral services held at Zion
• provide service and support to members for wedding services held at Zion
• encourage and support inactive members to become active
• provide support to the Health Ministry Team
• provide support to the Men’s and Women’s Ministries
• provide support to the Moms Group

In addition, we will continually strive to become involved in new care ministries within the congregation as opportunities and requests become known to the team.

Lay Ministry has taken on a “new look!” The responsibilities of this ministry team have increased! We are the ministers of the church, we are the ones who minister to the members and friends of Zion. Lay ministry involves all of us doing what Christ asked us to do…minister to the lonely, the old, the young, the ill, the imprisoned, the unemployed, the bereaved, the hungry etc. Lay Ministry includes all of these actions “within the walls of Zion.” A few examples of our ministry:

Visits to our homebound members.

Home communion for members who have not been able to get to church can be arranged.

A family is experiencing a crisis and needs people to encourage and support them through the difficult time.

A baby is born – a “basket of goodies” is delivered– meals can be arranged for the overwhelmed new family.

You know someone who had surgery – they just don’t have the energy to cook. We can provide meals.

A ride is needed to a doctor’s appointment. We will arrange for transportation.

Were you talking to someone on the phone this week and they need some cheer. The altar flowers are often available to give them a lift.

A simple note or card to someone you have missed seeing in church to say “you are missed, are you “ok?”

Recuperation time is lasting longer than anticipated and you are not able to drive to do errands, we can assist.

Someone has been in an accident, prayers are requested. We have a prayer chain and e-mail can be sent to members with e-mail address.

There has been a death in the family, a visit, a call, a note to the family.

A child is leaving home for college/the service/moving to take a job, transition is difficult, you can help talk them through the transition by sharing your experience.

A child is “moving back in” the adjustment is difficult, share your experience!

A friendly “hi, how are you?” Prayer

The following fellowship groups all fall under the umbrella of Lay Ministry

Team
Team Leader

Women of Zion

Millie Gundel

Men of Zion

Randy Miller

Young Mothers of Zion

Denise Haldeman & Cheryl Russell

Senior Ministry of Zion

Diane Gerlach

Health Ministry Coordinator

Mary Hetrick

Meals for Members Ministry

Jennifer Barley

Wedding Coordinator

Nancy Price

Funeral Coordinator

Diane Gerlach

If you (or if you know of someone) who would like to schedule home communion, please call the church office or Diane.

We “wait for your participation” in the many opportunities that are available for YOU on the Care Ministry Team! We are accountable for care ministry to our brothers and sisters inside and outside the walls of Zion. Who is your neighbor? Whom do you care for? Can you give your time for the care to your Zion brothers and sisters? We are the ministers of Zion! Join team members Al Alsedek, Connie Alsedek, Janet Bair, Bob Bair, Jennifer Barley, Chris Burfete, Donna Dumeyer, Mary Hetrick, Bruce Gerlach, Connie Grow, Nancy Price, Tammy Moseman, Bruce Stockman, Peggy Stockman, Judy Traup, and Theresa Whitesel…….you will be blessed. Call or see Diane Gerlach!

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