CONGREGATIONAL CARE

At Severna Park United Methodist Church, we reach out beyond the walls of the church building to help those in need.  Here are a sampling of opportunities to impact our local community.  Our Caring Ministries go beyond our local community reaching out to the entire world as shown on other web pages under our Caring Ministries.

_{We invite you to watch the Caring Video series to learn more about Congregational Care}

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus' command to love one another.  Through one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them.

• Is life more than you can handle alone right now?

• Are your health, your attitude, or your relationships suffering?

• Are you adjusting to a new job, change in marital status, a serious illness, the death of a loved one, a recent move?

• Would you like to have someone in your life who really cares?

Everyone goes through difficult times.  Having someone to care, to listen, to share God's love with you can help you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness you may be experiencing.

Click here for more information on Stephen Ministry or contact Beth DeFrances 410-312-7752

Parish Nurse

Parish nurses are specially trained Registered Nurses who direct and coordinate health and wellness ministry programs within a congregation in partnership with the pastor and other church staff.  The parish nurse acts as an integrator of faith and health as an educator, counselor, coordinator of volunteers, resource & referral agent, and advocate.

Parish nurses DO NOT PROVIDE “HANDS-ON” PATIENT CARE such as that offered by home health nurses, but instead direct people to the most appropriate health care providers. Parish nurses DO NOT REPLACE THE PASTOR'S HEALING MISSION , but supports and enhances his or her reach and effectiveness. These programs are developed to meet the unique needs of each congregation across the lifespan of its members.

Each Sunday there are two nurses available in Fellowship Hall between services to take blood pressures and help folks with any medical concerns.  There is also a supply closet that has some medical equipment available, on loan, to anyone in the church family needing it.

Dawn Cullis, our Parish Nurse, coordinates this activity.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

The goal of our Prayer Shay Ministry is to offer comfort to those experiencing chemo, radiation, or other treatment for diagnosed cancer as well as those receiving dialysis or in a church home.

Members of the Shaw Ministry knit and crochet the shawls, lap robes, hats and slippers.  By the time a shawl is completed, it is filled with prayers, providing not only physical warmth but also great spiritual comfort and an understanding of another's struggles or grief.  A prayer shawl is worth thousands of words.

  Teddy bears are made and given to children who are hospitalized over night. They are also given to infants and preschoolers when they are baptized.  To date we have given out 40 teddy bears

.

If you know of some one who would receive comfort from one of our prayer shawls or lap robes, please call:

Dawson Bechtold  410 647-3436

Evelyn Kemberling  410 647-7097

Dawn Cullis  410 647-1786.

Click here for more information on the Prayer Shawl Ministry
 

Kindness Kitchen

Volunteers provide meals to those in the congregation who need assistance during times of illness or other crises. Laverne Gladman is the coordinator of this group.
 

Rosebud Ministry

A team delivers rosebuds and stuffed toy lambs to new babies and provides information about baptism and cribbery services.  Sandy Broadbeck is the coordinator of this group. 
 

Sunshine Baskets

A team assembles and delivers baskets of gifts to persons who are ill, grieving, recuperating, etc.  Assembly by Elaine Claar, delivery by Vickie Gartside.
 

Lay Visitation

Lay Visitation members visit our home friends and hospitalized on a regular basis and provide respite care to primary caregivers.
 

For further information call Rev. Enger Muteteke 410-987-4700.