Caring Ministries

Caring ministries take care of the people within our church congregation.

Sharing the Gift of Life

The Red Cross Bloodmobile will visit Crossroads Ministry Center on Monday, November 14, 1:30 – 6:30pm. Each of our 2022 Bloodmobiles have surpassed our goal of 32 collected units, with each donation helping up to 3 people! Many thanks to our consistent donors, and to those who volunteer during the bloodmobiles – Mary Jo Bowen, Carol Hampton, and

Jill Richards! Register to donate at www.redcrossblood.com, or contact Judy Hug at 740.653.3330 ext 1009 or judyhug@love-first.org to volunteer or for assistance with registration.

 

Card Ministry – What a blessing to have received so many donations of card-making supplies for our Card Ministry to remember those who are homebound during the holidays! If you would like to become involved in this important ministry, contact the church at 653-3330 and talk with Lisa Scheck (ext 1008) about making cards, or Judy Hug (ext 1009) about helping with addressing and preparing for mailing or to be paired with someone whose situation might be  brightened by receiving a card regularly. One recipient recently wrote to the church after receiving one of your cards: I want to thank you all for the birthday card that you sent to me. The card meant the world to me – thank you again.

Blood Pressure Screening – has Returned!

Blood Pressure Screening will return on a monthly basis beginning September 4. The intent of this ministry is to provide participants with a reliable blood pressure reading for their personal use when visiting their care provider. Please visit Room 14 in the parlor on the first Sunday of each month between services. If you are a person trained in offering blood pressure screening with a digital monitor and would like to volunteer for this important ministry, contact Judy Hug at

653-3330 ext 1009 or judyhug@love-first.

Visitation Ministers Needed! Training Provided!

Visitation can be scary, especially if you don’t know the person you are to visit. There are solutions!

  • Send a greeting card – no special occasion necessary; your contact is special enough!
  • Make a quick phone call – just to say ‘hi’ and to ask if the member/friend might have something for which you and your family can pray.
  • Prepare a small gift bag of cookies and/or candies, with a scripture or short note.
  • Take a friend when you visit!
  • Make arrangements with Judy Hug, Caring Ministries Coordinator, to visit a member/friend with her.

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER MONTH

There are many within our congregation and our community who are caring for a family member who needs assistance due to illness, injury, or other medical condition. During the month of November, there are several ways in which you can minister to those who care for another, including the following;

  • Talk with them – let the caregiver and, if appropriate, the person receiving the care, know that they are in your thoughts and prayers…then think and pray for them!
  • Send a card or make a phone call to express compassion and gratitude for all the caregiver is doing to assist his/her/their loved one.
  • Offer to bring a hot meal, or rake leaves, or help tidy the house or sit with them for a visit.
  • Notify the church of persons in our faith family who may not be known to your pastors and staff, so that we can join you in extending our love to them.

Prayer for Caregivers: Lord, help me to remember I am doing Your work. Bless me with Your patience and understanding. Send me Your strength. Help me see the sacred in every moment. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for trusting me with the precious role of caring for another. Amen.

Baby Quilters
This group works on quilts that are given to Fairfield Medical Center’s newborns. All quilters are welcome.
Coordinator: Judy Goslin
 
Cards of Care
Cards of support are sent weekly to those who have been hospitalized. Please sign the cards found in the parlor & Wheeling Street entrance.
 
Family Concerns Committee
Families who have lost a loved one gather after the funeral and are served dinner by this group of volunteers. Volunteers also prepare and donate food for the meal. Coordinator: Donna Waugh
 
Hospital Visitation Team
This team is composed of trained lay volunteers who visit Fairfield Medical Center on a rotating schedule. Along with the pastors, they provide a caring visit to members and friends of the congregation who are hospitalized. The team meets quarterly for updates and reviews.
Coordinator: Judy Hug
 
Sharing Hearts
A ministry of reaching out to those who are in nursing or assisted living facilities and those at home who are less active. You can partner to visit a certain person, or visit all from our church family who live in a particular facility. You can also show care by sending cards.
Coordinators:Rev. Dr. Brian Jones and Susie Griset
 
Communion at Home
A ministry of volunteers taking communion monthly to persons who cannot attend worship and would like to receive it in their homes.
Coordinator: Judy Hug
 
Cookie Bakers
Nothing beats the taste of homemade cookies! Our cookie bakers faithfully bake cookies in their homes for guests who attend worship with us for the first time. Our Monday Night Callers deliver these cookies to our guests in appreciation for their presence in worship with us.
 

CPR AND AED TRAINING  Our church is well-equipped for cardiac emergencies – some trained personnel and an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Having more people trained will only make our facilities and programs safer! This is a NON-CERTIFICATION course, taught by a Red Cross Instructor, suited to the needs of our church family, but offering skills that can be used wherever there might be a cardiac emergency. Two opportunities are being offered, with each module only an hour – registration is in the parlor or by contacting Judy Hug at judyhug@love-first.org or 740-653-3330, ext. 1009.

Weds., October 19, 1-2 p.m.

Tues., October 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

 

Health & Wellness Ministry
This ministry helps raise awareness of the relationship between health, spirit, and wholeness. Blood pressure screenings are available on Sunday mornings between services.
 
Prayer Ministry
A group that supports the congregation and those in need through prayer. Prayer requests are sent to participants by email. Prayer Calendars are available each month in the parlor and on our Resources page for personal devotional use. The Chapel has a prayer journey to guide your prayers.
 
Rose Ministry
People who have lost a loved one meet the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at Rising house to share lunch and fellowship with special programs. Resources on grief are provided to those recently bereaved.
Coordinator: Clarice Foglesong
 
 
To contact any of these coordinators, please refer to your church directory, or call the church at 740-653-3330.
 
 
If you are in the hospital or having an upcoming surgery or a procedure, please call the church at 740-653-3330 during our business hours to let us know! After hours, please notify Sarah Holley so that we can pray for you!
 
In response to the many precautions concerning the spread of COVID-19, our Hospital Visitation Team will suspend all visits until further notice. This is a temporary situation to protect ourselves as those we would be visiting and the community in general.
Know that God is in charge and watches over all that is happening around us as this pandemic continues to take shape. Continue to be the church in your devotional life; pray for those individuals, communities and countries affected by this disease, and be aware of your own health needs.
I offer this prayer found on christianheadlines.com:
Abba Father,
Protect us, Oh God, from the fear and isolation we face as familiar American institutions begin shutting down in an effort to protect us from this worldwide disease. It is often in moments like this that we find comfort in being with one another and, yet, many of those options are being temporarily removed. In their place, Lord, help us to seek your face. Help us to model Christ, who often retreated to quiet spaces to seek solace and intercede on behalf of others. Give us insight into ways we can celebrate community from a distance. Help us to pray for our neighbors, co-workers—and even our enemies. Show us how to best make use of these unexpected “time outs.” Amen.