Comfort and Care Ministry

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
                             2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Our Mission

Comfort & Care seeks to encourage and equip Peace members to be effective, distinctly Christian caregivers, thereby continuing the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ in word and deed.

The Comfort & Care Ministry (C&C) strives, through God's grace, to come alongside our pastors, elders, and deacons to provide help and encouragement to individuals and families within the church and our local community. By sharing our gifts, love, and time, the Body of Christ is strengthened.

Support can be given for emergencies, short-term crises, and long-term needs. Duration and extent of support is continually re-evaluated per individual situation.

Several seminars may be offered during the year to better equip us to serve one another. In addition, various support groups, such as Griefshare, Caregiver's Support and Support through Depression, may be offered according to need. To find out if any of these support groups are currently available, contact Lou Paules, Brenda McFarland or the church office.

Those Needing Help

If you have a need or someone you know needs help, please call the church secretary, Judy at 467-5977 or email Brenda McFarland at brenda@jamawkinaw.com or Lou Paules at rpaules@earthlink.net. They will then contact the appropriate persons to attend to your need.

As C&C hears of potential needs, we may call to offer our assistance. Please remember, you don't have to be in a desperate situation before you ask for help!

Following are a few ways we are able to minister to you and others in need:

Visitation and Encouragement: Karen Maddry Team Leader

• Hospital visits
• Nursing home visits
• Send card
• Shut-ins or homebound

Meals: Cheryl Somerville Team Leader, assisted by Janet Conner

• Provide food as requested by meal coordinator
• Assist in serving meals before/after wake or funeral
• Help meal coordinator in calling and planning

Personal Care: Lou Paules Team Leader with Cindy Corbin assisting with Childcare

• Temporary/occasional childcare
• Provide respite (break, rest) for caregiver of elderly/disabled adult
• Provide respite (break, rest) for caregiver of special needs child(ren)
• Assist an adult in their home following surgery or injury
• Assist an adult in their home with long-term illness

Support During Grief & Mourning: Brenda McFarland Team Leader

• Cards
• Spend time listening and encouraging person during grieving process
• Provide information on local funeral resources
• Provide special music
• Attend wake/funeral to support grieving family
• Sit at house during wake/funeral
• Assist with insurance or financial issues
• Help explore plans for future
• Assist with preparation for wake and funeral/memorial services at Peace Presbyterian
• Church provide housing for out-of-town family

Transportation: In need of a volunteer

• To/from doctor appointments, hospital, etc.
• Occasional to/from school
• Inclement weather transportation
• To/from church activities

Practical Needs: Edith & Stewart West Team Leaders

• Laundry
• Light cleaning
• Yard work, garden care
• Handyman
• Auto repair
• Shovel snow
• Pet sit
• Grocery shop
• Run errands
• Assist in moving
• Packing/unpacking
• Carrying furniture

Mentoring: Judy Kilmartin, Karen Calhoun, & Andrea Dugger Team Leaders

• Engagement/engaged couples
• Recently married couples
• New parents

Professional Services (pro bono): Sherry Rubio

• Accounting help
• Legal assistance
• Computer help
• Willing to loan special items
• Wheelchair
• Walker
• Walking cane
• Crutches
• Chain saw
• Pick-up Truck
• Ladder
• Other: __________________

Those Offering Help

One important way in which C&C is able to identify those willing to provide help is through surveys. This is a crucial starting point for C&C to be able to match church members' abilities and desire to serve with the needs of others. As needs then arise, C&C

is able to contact a variety of members so that we all share in ministering together in the church and in our community.

If you have not completed a survey, please obtain a copy from the literature rack at the courtyard doorwa, request one from Judy or download and print it here. Once filled out, please return it to the church office. Surveys will be taken semi-annually to keep our information current.

Please pray that God may show you how to comfort and care for His people.

Other Mercy Ministries & Support Groups

Deacons' Mercy Ministry-Andy Osterlund

Stephen Ministry-Mike Maddry

Peace Prayerchain-Alisa Arslan: 387-9794

Peace E-mail Prayerchain-Angela Kennedy: PeaceLine@aol.com

Dealing with Depression - Wednesday nights, for details, contact Darlene Holland

Caregiver Support Group - Sundays, 6:00 p.m