Caring Ministries

     CARING Ministries exists to share Jesus's love in personal and practical ways with individuals in our church and community. Our goal is to follow Christ's command to care for one another. Christian care giving is demonstrated through a number of distinct and direct ministries as listed below. Please contact Rev. Kathleen Haynes , Associate Minister, by e-mail or call at (703) 256-8330 if you would like to be served or provide service in one or more of the following Caring Ministries areas:

Altar Flower Ministry

Following the Sunday morning worship services, the altar flowers are delivered to shut-ins and hospitalized members.

Card Team

The Card Team is responsible for sending greeting cards to members who have missed three consecutive Sundays in worship, letting them know they have been missed and inviting them to worship with us the following Sunday. Run by volunteers.

Communion Ministry (Shut-Ins)

Once a month, on Communion Sunday, communion is taken to our homebound members as they have requested.

Each One Reach One

This telephone ministry provides regular personal contact with individuals who live alone and have requested the ministry.

Funeral Ministry

In consultation with a bereaved family and the AUMC clergy, this committee provides a light reception following a funeral or memorial service.

Meals Ministry

This is a newly formed committee for Caring Ministries. Meals are provided for people on a short-term basis who are recuperating from surgeries, treatments, etc.

Prayer Chain (Phone)

There are two Prayer Chains (one for daytime and one for evening callers.) As the prayer chains are activated each individual passes by phone a specific request for prayer to the next link in the chain. All prayer requests are confidential. Requests are taken by the church office. See the Prayer Chain Guidelines for procedural details.

Prayer Tree (E-Mail)

A new caring ministry at AUMC. The prayer is designed to pass prayer requests quickly by e-mail to as many people as possible. Like the Prayer Chain, requests are confidential and routed through the church office. See the Prayer Tree Guidelines for procedural details.

Seasonal Gifts

Easter lilies and tulips, Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas poinsettias are delivered to the homebound and those in nursing homes.

Short Term Relief Care

Upon request, the following services may be provided for members in need of them: grocery shopping, transportation to an appointment, respite for care-givers (for example: staying with an individual to give family care-givers an opportunity to go shopping, attend support groups, or just have a break).

Stephen Ministry

This is a new ministry for AUMC, beginning in summer 2001. Volunteers receive 50 hours of training, where they learn skills for providing one-on-one Christ-centered care to those in crisis situations. Stephen Leaders also receive 50 hours of training and they are the ones who oversee the program and teach the course.

Telephone Ministry

The Telephone Ministry seeks to maintain contact by telephone with members who have been inactive. The telephone team lets the members know they are missed, and inquires as to why they no longer attend, inviting them to participate in the life of the church. This information is passed along to the Director of Caring Ministries, so that visitations or personal phone calls can be made if needed. Volunteers call people who have missed four consecutive Sundays of worship.

Transportation

Volunteers provide transportation to members needing to go to grocery store, doctor's appointments; those needing a ride to church services or other church events.

Visitation Ministry

Lay visitors minister to the bereaved, those people who are hospitalized, homebound or in nursing homes. They keep in touch with cards, calls, and visits. They may also utilize seasonal gifts, tapes of sermons, altar flowers and/or communion in their visitations.