Nurturing & Support
CARING MINISTRIES:
Pastor Mary Holtey is the Associate for Congregational Nurture. Her preferred, after-hours phone number is 701-219-9810. During the day, she can be reached here at church at 701-293-6311.
Prayer Ministries
There are prayer request cards in the pew racks and/or the Friendship books at the inside aisle of the pews. If you have a prayer request, you are invited to fill out the card, checking all ministries that apply: You may wish for the prayer chain to be contacted; you may wish for your request to be lifted up in prayer during our Tuesday afternoon staff meetings; you may prefer to have just the pastors hold your request in prayer; you may wish to have your request put in the bulletin for the congregation to remember in prayer. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Holtey or Phyllis Sunderland from the Board of Deacons (701-293-5691 or sunderph@yahoo.com).
Transportation and CD Ministries
The Board of Deacons continues to provide van rides for 10:30 worship (10:00 during the summer) on Sunday mornings. If you would like a ride to worship, call the church office during the week or the Deacon on duty on Sunday by an hour before the service (701-293-6311). If you would like a ride, but are unable to ride the van, please call Fraser Harrison (701-293-6130) during the week to make those arrangements. If you are unable to attend worship and would like to receive a weekly CD and bulletin of the service, contact the church office. A CD player can be supplied also by the deacons if that is needed.
The Board of Deacons’ Emergency Relief Fund
The offerings collected on Christmas Eve and Maundy Thursday, (unless otherwise indicated on the check) will be given to the Board of Deacons. During the year these donations are used to help church members and friends who are in emergency situations – job loss, illness, natural disaster, etc. They have helped families and individuals with rent, utilities, food, clothing, prescriptions, etc. In addition to the two collections listed, you may contribute to this fund at any time during the year by contacting Dick Blaine (dickandcarolyn@ymail.com or 701-293-1053).
Hospital Visitation
If you or a family member is in the hospital and would like a personal visit, please call the church office, Parish Nurse Judy Rippentrop or Pastor Holtey. With continually changing rules in regard to confidentiality, the church doesn’t automatically know who is in the hospital. We would like to be a presence in your life during these difficult and transitional times. Judy visits at Sanford Hospital every week and makes follow up visits after you’ve returned home as well. When you are admitted to Sanford or Essentia, if you would like a visit, tell them you are a member of First Presbyterian of Fargo. Help us stay in touch with you!
HEALTH MINISTRIES:
The Health Ministry is gearing up for another full year. We have planned three major projects for the health of the congregation. From the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry to those needing healing in mind, body and spirit, the Health Ministry Cabinet (HMC) has been creative in their planning for the congregation’s health.
We are excited to announce that we have a new member added to our health ministry. Judy Rippentrop, RN, has attended the Parish Nurse Preparation Course through Concordia College in May. In June she was installed as a Parish Nurse at First Presbyterian. Judy will be assisting Pastor Mary Holtey with hospital visitation and follow-up. Some of her other duties will include providing education at the Wednesday Collegiate Luncheons and initiating a grief ministry. This summer she has been orienting with Gracia Fulwiler, RN, the Lead Parish Nurse.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The coffers were almost empty but the knitters of the prayer shawl ministry came through with flying colors. This is a crafting ministry that allows the shawl maker to pray over the shawl recipient while the shawl is being created, blessed and finally given to someone in need of spiritual support. This past year we diversified and made baptismal shawls, dishcloths, skull caps and some have wondered about doing socks. If anyone is interested in this ministry please join us. We meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm.
Senior Moments
The Health Ministry Cabinet is launching a new group for those in our church 60+. This group will meet monthly for shared activities which could include going to movies, playing games, and taking tours like the “Tour of the Leaves”. Ideas and participants are needed, so those interested should sign up on the volunteer board. At the first gathering in October, we will be planning a list of future activities to enjoy together.
Health Fair
The health fair has been scheduled for Sunday, February 3, 2013 after church. This year the focus will be on various health assessments and will be called a “Screening Fair”. Some ideas for screenings include: skin, blood pressure, eye, chiropractic, anxiety, body mass index, dental, risk assessment, and nutrition. If you have any suggestions or would be willing to participate in the fair, contact Gracia Fulwiler. The main focus for the Health Fair’s is always mind, body and spirit.
If any of these health ministry projects interests you, please consider joining the Health Ministry Cabinet. We meet once a month and usually not during the summer. We try to keep meetings to 1 hour (but creativity sometimes takes longer than that!). The completion of a project gives you that warm feeling all over.