Healing Ministries
"To provide healing that offers hope to the broken."
Healing Ministry Goals:
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To reflect God’s love for all God’s people
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To promote a climate of caring community in our church family
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To continue the healing ministry modeled by Christ
The Healing Ministries of Woodlake UMC:
Prayer Ministries
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Prayer Team – confidential ministry team that receive weekly and emergent prayer concerns offered by the congregation and pray at least daily for these concerns
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Intercessory Prayer Team – volunteers are assigned, based on preferences once or twice a quarter a worship service to devote at least 20 minutes of intentional prayer for the worship service, our pastors, our congregation and the needs of the church
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Prayer Shawl Ministry – volunteers gather twice a month and also work on these knitting/crochet projects on their own. The future recipients are prayed for as the shawl is being created, the group prays for the recipient together upon its completion and they continue to pray for the recipient each time they meet. The shawls are made with a pattern that involves three stitches, representing the Trinity. The shawls are symbols of God’s loving presence and comfort in times of need.
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First Fruits Prayer Service –Starting in October 2006 we transitioned to weekly Christ center, prayer focused worship service. You will find the tone is as before - quiet, reflective, Christ centered and healing. It will strengthen your prayer life and offer time for a very prayer focused worship experience. Each service is designed around contemplative music, prayer, Holy Communion and a prayer focused and healing message. To strengthen caring community and fellowship with other church family, we have addedd a family dinner that starts at
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Prayer Retreats - each year we offer a two-day overnight prayer retreat that focuses on personal and group prayer time. Each year the theme helps participants grow in their prayer life and explores different styles of prayer. Ministry staff and congregation find this a time of renewal and reflection. Watch for dates on the web site, bulletins and newsletter.
Caring Ministries
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Shepherd Program – provide a local neighborhood extension of our church’s caring ministry – the neighborhood shepherd assist the church in staying connected with our congregation through a variety of communication and activities. They are especially visible in times of crisis/need such as illness, bereavement, new baby, family tragedies. They coordinate the response of the other church related groups an individual may participate in so that we have needs met across the span of the situation. The shepherd is also a welcome to new community members from our church.
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Pastoral Care – the director of congregational care is available along with other ministry staff to support and counsel church family and members of our community during difficult situations. These interactions are managed confidentially.
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Parish Nursing – the director of congregational care functions also as the parish nurse for our church. The parish nurse role focus is on the health of the congregation and to provide additional support during health crisis. Health promotion and including the spiritual dimensions of health are primary in this role. The parish nurse is also a good resource for families as they navigate through the healthcare system to meet their own needs or those of their family members. All interactions are managed with respect to privacy and confidentiality.
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Lay Communion- volunteers take consecrated elements to the home, facility or hospital of those unable to participate in worship. This occurs monthly on each Communion weekend, for special observances and as requested. This can be scheduled with the director of congregational care or one of the pastors.
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Metro Richmond at Prayer - we are partners with the ecumenical Richmond Hill community and many area churches who commit to praying throughout the week for Metro Richmond to become a city of healing and hope to all who live here and to our nation.
Relational Groups
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United Methodist Women- we offer several circles of this large international organization to accommodate the schedule/preferences of all our participants – each group meets monthly- there is study, fellowship and many service and mission opportunities in each circle
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United Methodist Men’s Fellowship- meets monthly on the 4th Saturday morning for fellowship, devotions and service / mission projects
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Dinner Groups – offered twice a year – meet several months in small groups in homes or restaurants with each couple or participant serving once as host/coordinator.
Helping Groups
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Grief Support Group for Widowed Men & Women - A new 9-week support group for widowed men and women is forming now in the Bon Air area of
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Divorce Recovery - a guided small group that uses an accepted curriculum to help individuals heal and move forward in life after the experience of divorce (offered 1-2 times a year). For individual counseling related to this and other family issues, please contact one of the pastors or the director of congregational care at 739-4535.
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BeFrienders – a nationally organized program that offers confidential, supportive, caring presence of specially trained congregational volunteers during times of difficulties
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PALS – a disability ministry - multigenerational, inclusive program for individuals and their families who are experiencing a disability. WUMC's goal is to remove barriers to individuals so that they are able to fully participate in worship and to serve in various ministry opportunities. We offer reserved parking in the front and on the right-hand side of the church, wheelchair accessible entrances and restrooms are located throughout the building, as well as hearing devices for use during each service.
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Bereavement Hospitality – a group of volunteers coordinated by UMW that offer hospitality as needed for funerals, such as receptions, serving as greeters at memorial and funeral services, etc.
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Other helping groups that meet at our church on a regular basis are AA and Overeaters Anonymous
To access any of these healing ministries contact Pauline Elliott, Director of Congregational Care at ext. 37, Erin Reibel, Congregational Care at 744-4650 or contact one of the church pastors. To volunteer to serve in any of these ministries, or to learn more about them, contact Pauline Elliott. Your recommendations for current or new ministries are welcomed.