Bear one another's burdens,
and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2  

We are working to care for all our members and constituents so that these,
who are our church family, will know they are loved in their times of need. 

The first responsibility we have in this care ministry is to communicate the needs.  We strive to be a caring church and so we ask everyone to please let the church know when they are going to the hospital, have a death in their family, or need help.  If you have information about a death, please let Courtney Bowers know ASAP.  Hospital information can be relayed to Martha Aenchbacher.  If you cannot reach either of them please notify Cookie Daniel or Margie Shedd :

                   Courtney Bowers- Bereavement                    Martha Aenchbacher- Hospitals
           706-543-1442  ext. 207                                     706-543-1442 ext 214
                           

Cookie Daniel                                          Margie Shedd
706-543-1442                                          706-543-0360
                

Our second responsibility is to coordinate what we do!   Here is what is happening now.

 
Prayer Ministry:   Carol Kohl is leading a prayer ministry that meets at 10:30 on Friday mornings to pray for our members.   If you have a name that needs to be on this list, let the church know.  

Prayer Shawl Ministry:  Dianne Morrison is leading a group that is making prayer shawls to be given to members who would find this a comfort.   If you knit or crochet, get in touch with Dianne.


Visitation:   Visitation of our shut-ins and homebound members is conducted by clergy and lay volunteers.   The United Methodist Women have organized visitation through their circles.  If you have a name of a member who might enjoy occasional visits, please let us know.   If you are willing to visit, please let us know!  Contact Martha Aenchbacher. 

Bereavement Care:   When someone has lost a loved one, we want to comfort them.   We have a variety of ways we can offer care.  We will accomplish this by putting the information out to our committee members and the first one to volunteer to take something of their choice will be asked to do it.   You are encouraged to take an offering of food with a note that it is from the Congregational Care Committee of the Athens First United Methodist Church .

Caring Cards:  If you are at the church for a meeting and have a spare moment, there will be a box of cards at the reception desk for all to use.   You may know someone who might appreciate a personal note.  Take a moment to sit down in a corner and write a quick note to the person of your choice to let them know they are in your thoughts.   If you are interested, please call or email Cookie Daniel  706-543-1442, ext. 201