Member Support
"Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action."
1 John 3:18
Few, if any, of us get through life’s twists and turns without help from others. From time to time we all need a little help and support, whether it’s a meal, special prayer, visit or transportation.
Based upon Jesus' call to love one another, the Pastoral Care ministry of First Presbyterian Church seeks to provide support to members in time of need.
For more information on any of the ministries listed below, please contact the Associate Minister for Pastoral Care and Congregational Life, Katherine Kerr.
Pastoral Counseling
The pastoral staff at First Presbyterian Church is available for short-term counseling as well as to provide referrals and resources for longer-term counseling needs. Please contact a minister directly or their assistant to set up an appointment.
Visitation
The Associate Minister for Pastoral Care and Congregational Life coordinates visits to members who are ill or homebound. In addition to a pastoral contact, several ministries have been established to assist in meeting the needs of these members and helping them continue to feel connected to their church home. Visits are made by the Deacons, Presbyterian Woman, and other trained volunteers.
If you are aware of any one who is in need of a visit,* please contact Katherine Kerr at the above email link.
*Please note: due to HIPAA Federal Privacy laws, we do not receive notification from hospitals when members are admitted.
Home Communion
Home Communion
Twice a year, communion is offered to church members who are unable to participate in the sacrament when it is celebrated in the sanctuary. Teams of Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders travel to members’ homes, hospitals and retirement communities to serve communion on the first Sunday in March and the first Sunday in October. If you or a member of your family would like to receive communion at home, please contact Katherine Kerr at the above email link.
Care Teams
A care team consists of six to eight church members who provide assistance to an individual or family needing long-term help with daily living due to a prolonged illness or physical or mental disability. All information about individuals is kept confidential by all members of the care team. If you are in need of a care team, please contact Katherine Kerr at the above email link.
First Helpers
This ministry provides immediate and specific help to families and individuals in an emergency situation. This assistance is provided on a temporary basis by volunteer church members at the request of one of the ministers or the parish nurse. Some services that can be provided are: transportation, meal preparation, child care, housework or help in times of illness, birth of a new baby or a death. To request such help, please contact Katherine Kerr at the above email link.
Casserole Ministry
Casseroles are prepared year-round by Presbyterian Women circles and other volunteers and are stored in the freezer at the church. They are distributed to families with new babies and members who need help with meals.
Prayer Chain
The prayer chain is a vital ministry at First Presbyterian Church that seeks to provide care and support to church members going through various difficulties and to rejoice with those who have joys to share.
In order to receive phone messages in the prayer chain ministry, please contact the Assistant to the Associate Ministers. A link to prayer requests is to the left on this page. Participants sign-in with a password.
In order to make a prayer request, please call or email Katherine Kerr at the above email address or use a pew card and drop it in the offering plate. If you are making a request on behalf of someone else, please ask their permission first.
Transportation Ministry
First Presbyterian Church provides transportation from local retirement communities to the 11 a.m. Sunday service. We also provide transportation to various other activities as needed. Please contact Judy Ploch at 704-927-0234 for these services.
