Caring Ministries

 

In our church family - the ministry of Shepherding:

 

 

Stephen Ministry - What is it?

A ministry of the Church that teaches skills to help a person come alongside another person for whom life has happened and is struggling with a difficult time in life.

 

We provide forty hours of training to make us more aware of the dynamics of specific crises in life. This does not make the Stephen Minister a super-trained licensed clinical counselor. But it does provide skills for one Christian to lend a helping hand and ear to help the other person better navigate a particular crisis in his life.

 

The commitment of the Stephen Minister is to work with another person one hour per week and to participate in supervision one evening per month. That commitment is for two years.

 

How can I get involved?

• Training sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings, 7:00 – 9:00, beginning September 29. If you would like further information please see either Faye Hall or Pastor Dave Sauer prior to September 1st so that we have time to order the correct number of training materials.

 

Call Faye Hall @ 797-3219 or Pastor Sauer @ 793-3366

 

Stephen Ministers are Caregivers GOD IS THE CUREGIVER

 

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Every one of you who has contributed an item for the prayer shawl ministry, please come to a SHORT meeting at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 6, in the Alpha Room. 

 

Also anyone interested in perhaps becoming a part of this comforting activity please join us.  We have yarn that has been donated for you use or perhaps you would like to deliver an item.

 

GriefShare

The loss of a loved one through death can present the survivor with a real struggle in moving forward in life. GriefShare is a support group that meets once a week for 13 weeks.

 

39 Forever - fellowship for seniors

Our next gathering of 39 Forever will be noon on September 2. Our topic will be: “What I Read For Fun on My Summer Vacation.” And everyone will have the opportunity to share and discuss one book they read this summer for fun.

 

If you have any questions, you may contact Joe Burkholder at 793-0635 or Dolores Hovey at 408-946-0885.

 

Temporary Assistance Fund

has been established to assist our members who find themselves struggling through a temporary financial emergency.

 

Offerings may be given at any time to replenish this fund. For further information please see Pastor Dave Sauer.

 

In our community - the ministry of Community Service:

 

Centerville Free Dining &

Tri-City Volunteers

We provide $150 per month to Centerville Free Dining and $150 per month to Tri-City Volunteers.

 

Centerville Free Dining - we serve tables the first Thursday and the second Tuesday of each month.

 

If you would like to volunteer you may phone Denise Rose at 364-3561.

 

Abode Services - our ministry to the homeless in the Tri-City area.

 

Bethesda Communities Annual Yard Sale

Saturday, September 11, 2010   8am – 2pm

 

1335 Mowry Ave (at Peralta Blvd)

 

The Bethesda Communities parent/friends group (FOLKS) will be holding their annual Yard Sale on Saturday, September 11th.

 

The group is also seeking donations of small appliances, furniture, tools, kitchenware, books, baby items, toys and exercise equipment for the sale.  Items can be dropped off at Bethesda Communities Group Home between September 4th and 11th.  All gifts are tax deductible. 

 

Only gently used, excellent quality, functioning items please!  Clothing, shoes, TV’s, computer/computer peripherals, and electronics more than 10 years old will not be accepted. 

 

Thrivent members are especially encouraged to make donations, to help us with our matching gift.

 

If you have any questions, please call Craig Wood at 510-209-0022.

 

Bethesda Communities is a ministry of the Lutheran church serving people with developmental disabilities.  You may have known the local ministry as Good Shepherd Communities.  It is now affiliated with the national group, Bethesda Lutheran Communities. This organization serves more than 800 individuals in the Western U.S. and more than 50 individuals in the East Bay.

Habitat for Humanity &

Thrivent Builds

Habitat for Humanity (in partnership with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans) uses volunteers to build affordable homes in the East Bay for people struggling to live in decent housing. Their latest project is Kinsell Commons, on 84th Ave. in Oakland near the Coliseum (and less than a mile from the Coliseum BART station).

 

Pastor Sauer is looking for volunteers willing to put in a day’s worth of work on Wednesday, July 28, to help some low-income people have access to affordable housing in Oakland. No building experience is required, but a heart to help others is. Sign-up sheet is at the Information Counter.

 

Read more about Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity's joint venture here.

Local news: www.habitateb.org

 

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is a service that provides nutritious and fresh meals to homebound members of our community. Pastor Sauer delisvers meals on Thursday mornings, 10:15 – 11:45.

 

If you can help, please contact Pastor Sauer.

 

 

Shepherding Ministry Team Captain

Derek Witty 510 498-8880 derekwitty@comcast.net

 

Community Service Team Captain

Karen Silar 510-790-1360 kisilar@sbcglobal.net