Nurturing & Support
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is a one-to-one caring ministry by trained church members. Stephen Ministers receive more than 50 hours of training, learning skills and developing their gifts to bring Christ's healing love to people who are in transition, grieving, lonely, new parents, ill or experiencing other stresses in life. If you wish to receive the care of a Stephen Minister, or if you wish to be a part of our next training class, please contact Pastor Mary Holtey, 293-6311. All conversations, names and Stephen Ministry relationships are kept confidential.The Board of Deacons
The office of deacons as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ. It is the duty of deacon, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. Deacons at First Presbyterian visit in the hospitals, retirement communities and homes. They also oversee Sunday morning fellowship and staff the office during worship. They oversee the Emergency Relief Fund, which provides financial assistance to those in emergent financial need. If you wish to make a financial donation to this fund, or discuss the need for some financial assistance, please contact Pastor Mary Holtey, 293-6311. Also, if you wish to be visited by a deacon, please contact Mary.Health Ministry/Parish Nursing
The Health Ministry Cabinet's function is to act as a support and advisor to the parish nurse. Included in their several duties are health education opportunities, helping plan health screenings with blood pressure readings, planning babysitting classes and blood drives. The parish nurse is a part of the Health Ministries with a primary role of identifying early cries for help and to intervene before problems require hospitalization. In this regard, health care is identified as part of the responsible stewardship of one's life, and the parish nurse is there to assist in the responsibility. If you would like to receive a visit from our parish nurse, please contact Gracia Fulwiler, RN, Health Ministry Coordinator.
Prayer If you have a request for our prayer chain, contact Pastor Mary at 293-6311. Call Mary as well if you would like to be one of the people who prays on the prayer chain. Prayer request cards are also available in the pew racks.If you would like the staff to pray for you or a loved one, please make your request on these blue cards and place them in the offering plate as it is passed on Sunday morning. These requests will be lifted up in prayer during Tuesday afternoon staff meetings.
Pastoral Visitation
A pastor from First Presbyterian visits area hospitals Monday through Friday and weekends by request. However, if a patient enters the hospital through the emergency room, their name does not appear on the church lists. Please contact the church office if you or a loved one is in the hospital and would like a pastoral visit. We try not to miss anyone, but sometimes we are not aware of a church member's hospital stay.If you would like a home visit by pastors Mary or Emery, or are in transition or in crisis and wish to receive a pastoral contact, please call the church office. Pastors may also bring communion to homes of shut-ins at Christmas, Easter and by request.