Welcome to Bethlehem Lutheran Church

 

Congregational Care Ministry Team

This ministry assesses the care needs of the congregation and develops, provides and, evaluates appropriate care and support. It also educates members concerning health and wellness issues.

Who Are We?

We are a group of people who choose to reach out and help others. We look for ways that we can bring God's love into our Bethlehem community by sharing our time and our gifts. We have people who love to bake, prepare meals, organize fellowship events, make visits to our members, serve meals to provide community after the loss of a loved one, visit families with new babies, provide communion to those who are homebound, pray for one another and knit shawls that are blessed and shared with those who need a comforting presence. We provide transportation, visit nursing homes, provide community resource information, help with handyman necessities, provide one-on-one mentoring, offer assistance with life transition issues, provide spiritual support and regularly offer blood pressure checks. These are just a few of the ways that we care for each other. If you prefer to volunteer your time on an occasional basis because of your time restrictions, perhaps you would consider being on our Helping Hands team so that we can e-mail you with an opportunity to serve and you respond only if you are willing and able to help at that particular time.

How Can I Get Involved or Get Assistance?

Here is what some of our volunteers say when I've asked, "Why I enjoy volunteering my time with Congregational Care?"

Funeral Luncheon committee - “It makes you feel good to help others and give them an opportunity be together in their time of grief.  The families appreciate it so much.” - Lorraine Kautz

Stephen Ministry -  "As a Stephen Leader at Bethlehem, I am very blessed to be able to serve my fellow parishioners through this caring ministry.  I work with a wonderful group of Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders to provide prayerful support to those going through a difficult period in their lives.  We welcome with open arms other church members who may be interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, or who may themselves need a caregiver to help them in their time of need." - Chuck Wrede

Homebound Communion  - "It is so neat to be with people who are not able to get out and to be able to bring part of the congregation to them.  To me, Communion is the core of worship and to take that important core of worship to them is a gift." - Judy Hanson   

50 +  "It represents an opportunity to generate programs that will bring people together.  We can bring together another segment of the population." - Bill Warner

New Baby Welcome - "Our volunteers have been taking a meal along with a hand knitted item to families when new babies come home for several years now. I enjoy being able to make contact and meet these families in transition. Having a new baby at home is so exciting and so exhausting at the same time. It is nice to have someone bring a meal and a gift. Most of the volunteers who deliver the meals are mothers who remember how happy and stressful this time can be. I think this is a very valuable service we provide to each other as members of Bethlehem."  -  Kara Brauer

If you are in need of assistance or would like to be involved in one of our many ministries here at Bethlehem, please contact us. We will be glad to connect the people who need assistance with those who are willing to serve. Contact us at office to the attention of Janet Hosler or Kelly Collins.

God bless you,

Janet Hosler
Congregational Care Ministry Team

Congregational Care Ministries

We strive to nurture one another’s faith within the Bethlehem Community by providing care and support through challenging circumstances, such as illness, loss, unemployment, divorce and other stressful transitions in life. This nurturing support is provided through pastoral care as well as through numerous ministries where fellow brothers and sisters care for one another in the spirit of love and hope in Jesus Christ.

Our Congregational Care Team is structured to carry out this Christ-centered care and support through our ministries of Helping Hands, Emotional/Spiritual Support, Health and Wellness and Life Transitions.

Soul Soup Troop – Our church is big.  This ministry is a way to make it more personal. It’s cross generational and it can touch the lives and souls of both genders in the Bethlehem family. It’s do-able and it provides comfort for them and it warms my soul as well. -  Nancy Deppe

Our Helping Hands ministry provides hands-on practical support such as simple home repairs and maintenance, meals and help with transportation. Volunteers involved in this ministry give of their time and talents particularly to our elderly members of our congregation and single parents.

• Handyman - Small projects done for those who cannot do it themselves
• Soul Soup Ministry - This ministry nourishes those who are going through an illness or difficult time in their life with comforting homemade soup.
• Meals - Volunteers who provide meals for the sick
• Errands - Volunteers who can assist at their convenience with picking up medications, or transportation to appointments
• Visitation/Mentor - Taking the time to visit
• Household Mgmt - Help in regaining control over your household
• Care Assessment - Individuals who make visits to assess the needs of an individual
• Support Teams - An involved ministry for a particular family who is experiencing hardship possibly over an extended period of time.

Emotional and Spiritual Care is provided either one-on-one or in small groups. This includes Pastoral Care, Stephen Ministry, topical support/discussion groups, Prayer Shawl/Knitting ministry, Homebound Communion and Visitation, Funeral Luncheons, Prayer, Care and Outreach.

• Funeral Luncheons - This luncheon serves as a ministry to family and friends after a  funeral or a memorial service.
• Stephen Ministry - Provide one on one emotional support to individuals.  Train and equip new Stephen Ministers and offer educational opportunities within the community.
• Small Group Study - Bible study and life transitional topics are offered
• Prayer Ministry - Offer prayer for and with others
• Grief Support - Small Group Study to help those experiencing grief
• Knitting Ministry - Items are knitted, dedicated and shared with others
• Holiday Flowers - Delivery for homebound and senior, as a way to maintain a
  meaningful connection, at both Christmas and Easter time
• Care Notes - Resources available for individual reading

Health and Wellness includes monthly Blood Pressure checks, Care Notes, Educational resources and adult forums on relevant wellness topics.

• Community Resource & Referral
• Blood Pressure Checks - Last Sunday of the month in the “copy room”
• Educational Programs - Working closely with Kaleidoscope
• Illness/Recovery Follow-up    

It is an intentional way to be God’s hands and feet to walk with others through whatever life’s trials bring.  I don’t want anyone to be alone and sad. - Lissa Sanchez

Life Transitions offers support through our New Baby Welcome, 50 Plus Fellowship/Senior Ministry, Single Parents and other special concerns as needed, such as family changes, grief and loss.

• New Baby Welcome - Each new baby’s family is visited, a meal is provided and they are
  given a hand knit item. 
• Seniors - 50 + Fellowship & Special Events
• Homebound Communion - A ministry to keep our Homebound members connected to the community of faith and to Bethlehem.

Kelly Collins, Director of Care and Connection provides staff support for our Congregational Care ministries. She is available for confidential consultation regarding support or care needs of any kind. Kelly is knowledgeable about our church ministries as well as community resources in the area. She is eager to help others make needed connections.

Janet Hosler, Congregational Care Ministry Team Leader, works closely with Kelly and our many volunteers who provide hands-on support and care to others through our many ministries. Janet is passionate about ensuring that we connect those who need care from others with those who want to care for others, within this Body of Christ.