Congregational Care Ministry
The members and staff of Unity Presbyterian Church are committed to providing love, care, and support to each other as we minister to those in need. Also, church events give opportunities for members to have fun and fellowship as they work to meet and know each other better. The Congregational Care ministry team meets the above objectives with the following sub-teams. This team works to continue high-quality levels of caring within the church.
Contact Information:
Vickey Fulton: 704.576.5879
Bereavement Guild
Contact: Theresa Higgins; Terri Turner
The guild provides compassionate hospitality to families who have experienced a death. This group assists with set up, serving, and cleanup of either the receiving of friends or a family meal due to the death of a church family member.
Card/Note Ministry
Contact: Joyce White; Susan Palmer
This group writes notes to church members who are ill, bereaved, or have other concerns, to let them know that their church family is thinking of them. Birthday cards are sent to members who are celebrating their 80th (or over) birthday. The notes and cards are in the church office for your use in this ministry. Volunteers will receive a letter of instruction and will be given a schedule for writing notes or cards.
Congregational Breakfast
Contact: Darlene Williams
This team coordinates the congregational breakfasts during the Sunday School hours. Volunteers are needed to set up/clean up, prepare, and serve breakfast.
Cookie Bakers
Contact: Denese Reichenbach
Several cookie baker teams rotate to provide home-baked cookies for the receiving of friends before or after a funeral at Unity or whenever cookies are needed.
Food Team
Contact: Joyce White; Darlene Williams
Several food teams rotate to provide a meal when there is a need within our church family, usually due to a death or illness in the family. Meals are also provided for families.
Grief Remembrance Team
Contact: Judy Cowell
This group offers condolences and support for Unity members after the death of a family member. We send sympathy cards, a follow-up card on the year anniversary, and holiday cards. Volunteers will receive a letter of instruction and will be given a schedule for writing notes or cards.
Hospital Visitation
Contact: Mark Verdery; Molly Spangler
This group calls or visits those confined to home or in an extended care facility. Volunteers visit quarterly.
Share in the visitation of church members that are hospitalized. Visits may be made alone or with another person.
Ice Cream Social (Make Churn of Home-made Ice Cream; Set up/Clean up)
Contact: Vickey Fulton; Jean Thies
This team organizes and prepares homemade ice cream and other frozen dessert for this yearly church-wide, intergenerational gathering, which occurs in August.
Kitchen Team
Contact: Darlene Williams
The Kitchen Team sets policies, procedures, and scheduling of Unity’s kitchen. We also organize, monitor, and maintain kitchen cabinets and storage areas in addition to monitoring supplies of paper products, cleaning supplies, etc. and replenish as needed. The team monitors and works with users to maintain kitchen cleanliness and coordinates with the church office staff regarding scheduling kitchen use.
Lunch Bunch Planning Team
Contact: Janet Bassford; Jan Konkus, Joyce White
Lunch Bunch is a fellowship group for adults who are free at midday. This group usually meets on the 4th Monday of each month for lunch, fellowship, interesting programs, and an occasional trip or tour away from the church. Join the Planning Team for this group to work with others to provide meaningful ministries and activities for adults in our congregation.
Nursing Home/Homebound Visitation
Contact: Mark Verdery; Molly Spangler
This group calls or visits those confined to home or in an extended care facility. Volunteers visit quarterly.
Pictorial Directory
Contact: Michaela Braswell (Krug)
This group will coordinate updates to our pictorial directory to maintain our church family records.
Prayer Chain(Phone; Email)
Contact: Jerry Brady; Dannie Vaughn
Members of this team pray for others as needs arise.
Prayer Shawl Team
Contact: Paula Jackson
This team knits or crochets prayer shawls or pray squares for the ministers to take to people that are sick. We are starting to make some out of fabric which means you don’t have to know how to knit or crochet to be a part of this group.
Stephen Ministry (Stephen Leaders)
Contact: Dave Johnson; Susan Mobley
Stephen Leaders is a team of 5 to 7 individuals who attend a one-time, week-long training seminar that equips them to establish and direct the Stephen Series within our congregation. They work as a team to provide 50 hours of training to individuals who will become Stephen ministers. Stephen leaders also plan, teach, supervise, and match Stephen Ministers to hurting people and meet as needed with Stephen Ministers to provide ongoing training and support. A minimum two-year commitment is required.
Stephen Ministry (Stephen Ministers)
Contact: Sandra Moore; Jean Thies
Stephen Ministers are lay individuals from the congregation who receive 50 hours of training before providing one-to-one, Christ-centered, pastoral care to hurting individuals. Stephen Ministers meet weekly with their Care Receivers (individuals going through situations such as loss of a job, divorce, bereavement, hospitalization, spiritual crisis, etc.) for an hour in a strictly confidential manner. They also meet twice monthly for ongoing training and support of one another. A minimum two-year commitment is required.
Therefore Group
The Therefore Group is designed especially for people who are widowed. Men and women of any age who fit this description are always welcomed. This group meets monthly on the third Thursday from 10:00am to 11:30am.
Transportation
Contact: Denese Reichenbach
This team provides a ride to appointments, errands, and Sunday services as needed.