PASTORAL CARE & COUNSELINGPeace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. — John 14:27There are times when we all need to experience the healing compassion of Christ. Pastoral Care is here to assist you with comfort, support and counsel when life is difficult.
If you are in the midst of a challenging season, need someone to listen, or want to have someone pray for you and with you, please contact Linda Alley, pastoral care & counseling coordinator, and she will connect you with a pastor. In the event of an illness, hospitalization, death or prayer request, please let us know. The main church number, 913-262-4200, is answered 24 hours a day. After hours, an answering service will connect urgent calls to the pastor-on-call. PRAYER REQUESTS & PRAYER LISTVillage Church is a congregation that prays for each other and for the concerns of our world. Please send prayer requests to pastoral-care@villagepres.org or 913-671-2327 so that your church family can include your concerns in our prayers.
MEMORIAL SERVICESWhen your loved one dies, we will be with you every step of the way. Please call the church immediately when a death occurs: 913-262-4200. It is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The promise of our faith is that in life and in death, we belong to God. This we trust and this we proclaim at every memorial service.
Our pastors will help you plan a memorial service or funeral for your loved one, assisting every step of the way. Services are held in the Chapel (seats up to 80) or the Sanctuary (seats up to 900). Village Church offers a reception to follow any service. A group of volunteers, the Memorial Guild, serve as ushers and reception hosts the day of the service. Members may also choose to have their loved one’s ashes buried in the Memorial Garden or placed in the Columbarium.
During this COVID-19 season, we have new protocols regarding the way we conduct memorial services. Seating in our Chapel and Sanctuary is more limited than usual due to the need for physical distancing. All participants and attendees must wear masks and follow the church’s new COVID-19 safety protocols. For indoor services, we recommend using the Sanctuary, which is equipped for online live streaming, which allows more people to participate, particularly those who are homebound or high-risk. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer receptions following memorial services at this time.
Many families are opting for outdoor or graveside services, and our pastors are honored to walk with you in planning and officiating such services as well. Services can be planned at the time of death, or in advance. A planning guide, Last Acts of Love, is available to answer further questions, as well as a personal records planner.
MINISTRIES AND SUPPORT GROUPSThe following ministries and support groups are facilitated through Village Church.
Stephen Ministry
The Village Church Stephen Ministry program equips lay people to provide one-to-one Christian Care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their life. Their initial training is from September to January to prepare them to listen to, care for and walk with those going through difficult times.
After being matched with a person experiencing a life crisis, the Stephen Minister meets with that person on a weekly basis to listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support. The caring relationship lasts as long as the need for care exists. Stephen Ministry has provided spiritual support to over 1.5 million people from 13 thousand congregations. How do you become a Stephen Minister? Applications are accepted year round by Pastoral Care and Counseling. Are you or a friend facing a difficult time? Circumstances in our lives can pose challenges for many…grief, loneliness, chronic or terminal illness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, job loss or even the holidays and winter blues. The confidential care by a Stephen Minister may be helpful. Contact Rev. Melanie Hardison if you are interested in being paired with a Stephen Minister to help you through life’s challenges, or if you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister yourself. Virtual Career CenterReceive insight and strategies via online lessons for searching out employment. Information is available on request.
Contact: Linda Alley Faith & Grief Virtual GatheringsDuring this COVID-19 season, the Faith & Grief gatherings are held as online Zoom meetings, rather than in-person lunches. Register at www.faithandgrief.org/gatherings for the online Zoom meetings.
Growing Through GriefThis is a five-week series offered three times a year for those grieving the loss of a loved one. This group explores what grief looks like, shares stories and finds hope for moving forward. This group is facilitated by our pastoral staff, Rev. Melanie Hardison and Rev. Sally Wright.
Contact: Linda Alley Helping HandsNeed help with a household task? Helping Hands can help with short-term needs such as this. If you aren’t sure if your need fits, give us a call. Please note: we are unable to provide rides to Sunday morning worship.
Contact: Linda Alley Widower's Support GroupA support group for men whose spouses have died, or whose spouses are living with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. This group meets at Village on Mission every Thursday morning at 9 a.m. Participants must register in advance by contacting Linda Alley. Breakfast is available for those who register by 4:30 p.m. on Mondays. Twice a month the group is facilitated by one of the Pastoral Care pastors; other meetings are facilitated by members of the group.
Contact: Linda Alley The following support groups meet at Village Church, but are facilitated by outside organizations. For information about meeting times and additional information, contact Linda Alley
Grief Support Network
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