congregational care

CARE COMMITTEE     -     FAITH COMMUNITY CONNECTION
SHEPHERD'S FOLD     -     STEPHEN MINISTRY



There are many ways that you can receive help at Williamsburg United Methodist Church.

Below are some of our ministries.


If you are looking for help with a Wedding, click click here.
If you are looking for help with a Funeral, click click here


If you are interested in Respite Care, click here.


For more information, contact the church office at (757) 229-1771. 

care committee

The long established CARE Committee (Congregations Actively Reaching Everyone) provides several services to members of our congregation.  The group provides receptions following funeral and memorial services, house-sitting during receptions, if needed, rides to medical appointments, meals following surgery, hospitalization or illness if needed, sitting with the sick, and baby sitters in emergency situations. 


If you are interested in this ministry, contact the church office at (757) 229-1771.

FAITH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

The Faith Community Connection Keeps Our WUMC Family Connected


When the Coronavirus Pandemic forced our Bishop to close Methodist churches throughout Virginia in March, Betsy Harrison, our Church Council Chair, began weekly meetings of an executive team of the council she named “The New Way Committee.” One of the primary goals of this team was to find ways to keep members of our church connected during this unprecedented crisis. In rapid order, two sub-committees were formed to address this goal. The first committee worked to increase electronic communication to our church family by gathering missing email addresses for members. A second committee established a new initiative to ensure church members receive regular phone contact called the “Faith Community Connection”.


By early June, The Faith Community Connection Committee worked with council and church leaders to develop a list of more than eighty church members who indicated they would like a monthly personal call from another caring church member. In addition, the committee has secured thirty church member volunteers to make these monthly calls. The committee then partnered each member with a volunteer caller. Last week the volunteer callers participated in a Zoom meeting with committee members and our Associate Pastor, Meghan Roth Clayton, to launch this program. Volunteers have already begun reaching out to their Faith Community Partners.


This initiative will help our Williamsburg United Methodist Church continue to build a sense of community and belongingness in a time when face-to-face contact between church members is very limited. The relationships that will be forged between volunteer callers and the church members they call will underscore the love and care that we have for one another in our church community.


If you would like to join the Faith Community Connection as either a member or a volunteer, or would just like more information, please contact the church office (757) 229-1771.


shepherd's fold

There is a segment of our congregation that we do not see in our sanctuary Sunday after Sunday.  These are the people who, due to failing health or age, must remain at home.  This group includes former choir members, ministers, Sunday School teachers, United Methodist Women leaders, United Methodist Men founders to name a few.  Our ministry of the Good Shepherd includes groups of workers with the purpose of remembering and ministering to these members.


Visitors are asked to establish a relationship with their assigned homebound person and visit as often as is comfortable for both.  Once a month is suggested.  Visitors are asked to call to the attention of the ministers and/or the coordinator any problems and concerns relating to the church, or requests of the “friend at home.”   Flower arrangements made from the altar flowers are usually available to be taken to members in the hospital or to “friends at home” by 10:30 a.m. on Mondays.  


If you are interested in this ministry, contact

Rev. Meghan Roth Clayton at (757) 229-1771 Ext 357 or mclayton@williamsburgumc.org.

Stephen ministry

WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?

Our congregation's Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.


A STEPHEN MINISTER IS . . . 

  • A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting
  • A congregation member with gifts for caregiving who was carefully selected to serve in this role
  • A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care
  • A caring, Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages
  • Someone who will "be there" for his or her care receiver, meeting faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there's a need


STEPHEN MINISTERS CARE FOR PEOPLE FACING TOUGH TIMES

We all experience challenges in life -- times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty


Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry: The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remain private.


STEPHEN MINISTRY IS YOUR MINISTRY

You play an important role in our Stephen Ministry. Here's what you can do:

  • Pray for God to bring hope and healing to hurting people through our Stephen Ministry.
  • Accept care from a Stephen Minister during your time of need. God doesn't expect you to bear your burdens alone.
  • Tell a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative who is hurting about our Stephen Ministry.


STEPHEN MINISTRY MULTIPLIES MINISTRY

Pastors will always be on the front lines of care, especially during times of crisis. But there are always many more needs for ongoing, one-to-one care than pastors can effectively meet by themselves.


Stephen Ministry provides a biblical solution -- equipping God's people for ministry. Gifted lay people are trained to support and extend the care that pastors continue to provide.


Stephen Ministers reach out with God's love to people who are hurting -- both congregation members and nonmembers alike.


If you are interested in this ministry, contact

Pastor Meghan at (757) 229-1771 Ext 261 or mclayton@williamsburgumc.org


If you are interested in learning how to become a Stephen Minister,
complete our interest form by clicking here.


Stephen Ministries St. Louis Supports Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit Christian educational organization based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1975, Stephen Ministries provides training and resources to thousands of congregations and organizations worldwide.  


Log on to www.stephenministries.org or call (314) 428-2600 to learn more.