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Caring Ministries
Statement of Purpose:
The Caring Ministry exists for the purpose of nurturing the members of the congregation and others associated with our church.
Our Caring Ministry is based on I Corinthians 12:12 - 27, providing intentional care for one another, using the diverse gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Philosophy
It is our vision that:
- Care will be extended to all members, active and inactive, and to others associated in any way with the congregation.
- Care will be extended without regard to position in the church, social, economic or other levels of status in the community (Acts 10:34).
- Care will be a ministry of the entire congregation.
The Caring Ministry involves many people in the congregation: pastors, staff, deacons, Stephen Ministers, Sunday School classes, and many more.
We will work to be aware of as many needs in the congregation as possible; we will endeavor to respond to those needs with loving care and sensitivity. We will also seek to involve the congregation in the care-giving role, as well.
Areas of Care Support
Hospital
Visits by the Pastoral Team, hospital lay visitors, deacons, and others. Visits normally occur daily.
Recuperating at Home/Homebound
Visits/phone calls by members of our Pastoral Team, deacons and lay visitors.
Nursing Homes
Visits/phone calls by members of our Pastoral Team, deacons and lay visitors.
Pastoral Care
The Pastoral Team is available to minister to the special needs of the congregation (members or associated individuals) as they arise. Please contact the pastor of your choice directly.
Staff will refer individuals to Christian counseling professionals or to other community support agencies or groups when referral is determined to be appropriate.
Urgent or Emergency Care
A Pastor is on call 24 hours a day, available to provide support, care, and pastoral counseling as needed. The Pastor’s on-call schedule is listed in the bulletin weekly.
To page the “on-call” pastor: in the event of an emergency or other urgent need after normal church office hours, dial the church’s phone number 301-662-1819 and “punch-in” extension 28 (the Emergency Mail Box) upon hearing the recorded voice mail greeting. Leave a detailed message in the voice mailbox. The pastor “on-call” will be automatically paged. If in the event he does not respond within 30 minutes (which is indicative of a technical failure), call the pastor directly at home.
After-Service Ministry
After all scheduled worship services, a listening and prayer time is provided by a member of the Pastoral Team. Any and all needs will be ministered to, along with guidance related to appropriate follow-up.
Death
When death occurs, a member of our Pastoral Team and the Director of Caring Ministry will respond, as notified. In the event of a death, call the Church Office during business hours, or utilize the church’s emergency mailbox (extension 28) after business hours.
Many others in the congregation, including our Funeral Coordinators, Stephen Ministers, and others are available to respond and minister to grieving families. Extended bereavement support is also available.
Others in Need
Many others in the congregation, or associated with the congregation, are in need of ministry. Staff will minister to those needs and will work at equipping the congregation to care for all those in need.
The Deacon Body, FISH group (a volunteer group available to assist with transportation needs, caregiver relief, shopping/errands), Stephen Ministers, and others are available.
Director of Caring Ministries
Naomi Zimmerman coordinates our caring ministry outreach as the Director of Caring Ministries.
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