About Caring Ministries'Presbyterians - People Who Care', a motto seen on license plate holders tells who Palm Desert Community Presbyterians are - caring Pastors, Elders, Deacons, the Monday morning prayer group, Pastoral Associates, staff, volunteers, and all who informally call, visit, transport, and support those in need.With a simple phone call to the church office, you can request a Hospital Visit, Transportation, Meals, Sermon Tapes, our Newsletter, and Prayer Support. Whether you just need information, or have a physical or spiritual concern, your first point of contact is to call the church office. The caring staff will put you in touch with the right person to address your concerns. The Board of Deacons Presbyterians believe that “the office of Deacon, as set forth in the scriptures is one of sympathy, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ” (The Book of Order G-6.0400). Further, “It is the duty of Deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith” (G-6.0402). The Deacons minister to those in need in a variety of ways. Deacons provide food and clothing through the Deacons’ Closet, financial assistance through Care Day and the Grants Fund, meals for members and friends in their homes, transportation for people in need, visitation to people in the hospital, calling members of the church annually to keep in touch and care for them, church money to be given to local missions and ministries, and flowers to the homes of shut-in people and the infirmed. For further details on the Deacons Ministry click here. Tuesday Morning Care Day - Help for non-members in need To fulfill its ministry of serving others, the Deacons Care Day Committee happens every Tuesday morning, 10-12 am. Non-members in need may come to the main church office to the west of the sanctuary, where the receptionist will welcome them and have them wait for the Care Day Committee. We help people with their needs for support, prayer, comfort and meeting emergency needs. The Deacons also assist non-members in finding the ongoing care and support they require from qualified agencies that are equipped to provide such services. The Deacons can authorize the giving of emergency funds, gas and food cards, and supplies from the Deacons’ Closet to help in getting them to the next step. Grants Fund Committee - Help for members in need The Deacons’ Grant Fund is an official fund established by our church for the primary purpose of helping to care for the material needs of members in the church. When a member is in financial need, the church responds through our Deacons’ Grant Fund. A grant is a material gift from the church to help a member to pay a bill, get proper medical help, and meet other material needs. Grants are made to individuals who are members of the church. Non members are referred to Care Day Ministry. In addition to financial aid, at times a member’s need can be met by receiving articles of clothing, furniture or food from the Deacons’ Closet. Grants are made with no obligation of repayment. However, if at some future time, part or all of the grant can be repaid, the money will be used to help others in need. Hospital Visits When a member or friend goes to the hospital, the Pastoral Associates would like to visit and offer prayer support. Please call the church to let us know when you are going to the hospital, and to which hospital. PA's also will visit you in your home, and are available to counsel and pray with you. Often someone we have visited in the hospital leaves to go to a rehab facility. Unless we are personally notified where the person is going we lose track of them as confidentiality laws prohibit the hospital from informing us of any discharge information. Transportation and Meals Deacons and the Women's Ministry are available to help in a variety of ways such as arranging transportation to church and appointments, and by providing meals when needed. Deacons also care for shut-ins one to one, periodically check on members by way of phone calls, take flowers to the sick, and administer financial assistance when needed. To better be 'people who care', we need YOU to inform us of any need or concern you have, or if you know of a need that someone else has. Pastors and members are committed to living out God's love by serving one another. Please let us know how we can minister to you A call to the church at 346-8195 will connect you to staff and volunteers who are eager to assist. Sermon Tapes and Our Newsletter The church makes available weekly sermon tapes, and The CHIMES newsletter of spiritual and uplifting messages to those unable to attend the Sunday worship. These are mailed free and can be obtained by calling the church office. Prayer and Support In the pew rack are prayer request cards for you to place in the offering plate to notify the prayer team and/or pastors of your concerns. For more about Prayer and Support activities, click here. Stephen Ministry If you want to learn how to reach out to the congregation and community, including, but not limited to, the ill, grieving, and needy, as Christ's ambassadors through a one-to-one relationship, you might consider the Stephen Ministry. For more info click here. |
|
Copyright © 2008 Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church |