PASTORAL CARE & COUNSELING

Peace 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 14:27

​There 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.

MEMORIAL SERVICES

​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.
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 GROUPS

​The following ministries and support groups are facilitated through Village Church.

Stephen Ministry

​Receive one-on-one, confidential care from a lay person who has completed 50 hours of training who is trained in listening, caring, praying and supporting. Stephen Ministers typically meet with a care receiver once a week, for an hour at a time. Stephen Ministers can help you with all sorts of challenges: grief, job loss, loneliness, illness, divorce, family difficulties and much more.

Contact Rev. Becky Chamberlain if you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister.

Virtual Career Center 

​Receive insight and strategies via online lessons for searching out employment. Information is available on request.
Contact: ​Linda Alley

Faith & Grief Lunches

​Anyone who has lost a loved one and wishes to connect with others who have traveled the same road is invited to the Faith and Grief lunch. All participants receive a free lunch and benefit from a short program and conversation around tables led by a trained facilitator. Lunches will be held from noon-1 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month in Friendship Hall at Village on Mission. Registration is helpful but not required. Register at  www.faithandgrief.org. We’re excited to partner with five local churches to bring this important ministry to Kansas City. 
Contact: ​Linda Alley

Growing Through Grief

​This 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. Remaining 2019 series include Sept. 4-Oct. 2. Our 2020 series will be held Jan. 15-Feb. 12, April 22-May 20 and Oct. 14-Nov. 11.
Contact: Linda Alley

Helping Hands

Need help with a household task? Need a ride to a medical appointment? Just home from the hospital and in need of a few meals? 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 Group

A pastor-led support group for men who have lost their spouses, or have spouses who are living with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
​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
PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Recovery, Inc.
Straight Spouse Network    

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING

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t​There are some challenges in life that are just too big. When those moments come, we need extra help. In addition to a full pastoral staff available for counseling, Village also offers a counseling ministry with a professional, licensed psychologist, Dr. Dave Ehman.
 
Dr. Ehman has over 30 years counseling experience. He earned a Masters of Divinity from the North American Baptist Seminary, a Master's of Education in counseling psychology from Wake Forest University, and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi.
 
Dr. Ehman meets with individuals, couples, or families at Village Church on Wednesdays. You may get a referral through any of our pastors, or contact Dr. Ehman directly at 816-756-1227. Counseling fees are highly subsidized by Village Church in order to ensure that all who are in need of this service may benefit from it. Dr. Ehman negotiates fees on a sliding scale, and insurance is not accepted.

Counseling Agreement
Authorization for Release of Information
Continuity and Coordination of Care Authorization
Confidential Counseling Information Form

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

To volunteer in any of these areas, contact Linda Alley

Pastoral Care & Counseling Committee

Participate and partner with the pastors to oversee, maintain and propose new ways to provide care for our members and the community.

Friends with Flowers

​Deliver flowers to hospitalized and homebound members after Sunday worship. Arrange and deliver flowers to Hospice on Mondays. Check back for poinsettias and Easter lilies delivery information.

Helping Hands

​Assist with basic household tasks, provide transportation, or meals to some of our more fragile members in need of assistance. All tasks are short-term; simply sign up for any that fit your schedule.

Memorial Guild

Ushers - Greet guests attending a memorial services.
Memorial Reception - Help host a reception following a memorial service.

Share-a-Song Choir

Sing as a member of a small choir at assisted living facilities (and on occasion, members’  homes). All voices welcome!

Stephen Ministry

​Provide one-on-one, confidential care to those in the midst of challenging life circumstances. 50 hours of required training is provided for Stephen Ministry certification. Consider joining the leadership team if you are interested in providing leadership.

Village Nurses

The Village Nurses offer blood pressure checks, support, nutritional advice, referrals and education both at the Food Pantry.

Village Visitors

​Visit homebound members, sharing fellowship and connecting with our church family.

MEMORIAL GARDEN

​The Memorial Garden offers a final resting place outdoors. Bronze markers with name, birth, and death years may be ordered through the Village Church Business office at 913-671-2365.
 
The opportunity to select a site is open to current members of Village Church, their children, and their parents. Site selection is made at the time of need and not earlier. Burial is for ashes only, which may be buried with or without a marker. Arrangements can be made with a pastor to have a graveside service at the time of burial, or the staff can perform the service for you if you are unable to attend. Family members can be placed together and a new marker can be ordered with both names engraved.

COLUMBARIUM

​The Columbarium is a room furnished niches into which small urns or appropriate containers are placed. Families may reserve and select niches in advance, or at time of death. To do so, contact the Village Church Business Office at 913-671-2363.
 
There are two niche sizes available: 1) 8 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches, which accommodates the ashes of one or two persons; and 2) 12 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches, which accommodates the ashes for as many as four persons. Urns or containers are furnished by the family, not the church. 
CONTACT:
​Rev. Melanie Hardison
Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care
913-671-2367
email
CONTACT:
​Rev. Sally Wright
Associate Pastor for ​Pastoral Care
​913-671-2347
email
CONTACT:
​Rev. Becky Chamberlain
Parish Associate 
913-449-0713
email
CONTACT:
Linda Alley
Pastoral Care & Counseling Coordinator
email
​913-671-2327