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 The
model of the Shepherd Ministry to
care for others is PACE. It was
developed by Dr. Mel Steinbron,
founder of Lay Pastors Ministry,
Inc. It can be applied to any
relationship that you sense God is
calling you to serve, love or
encourage on his behalf.
P
Prayer
A
Availability
C
Contact
E
Encouragement
As you commit to PACE someone
faithfully, lives have the potential
to change and your life is one of
them. Your heart will move to
sacrifice and the love that God
pours into you to share with another
becomes supernatural. You
experience being blessed by being a
blessing.
If you would like to learn more
about how to care for others because
God cares for you and for them, join
us for a special workshop in fall
2007. Watch for the exact date.
You may call 281-485-1466 or email
drussi@fumcpearland.org. to get
more information.
The Gathering Place -
The Gathering Place is a
setting for congregational
volunteers, supervised by
professional staff from Interfaith CarePartners, to provide a loving,
safe, and fun environment for
patients (guests), from the
congregational and community who
have special needs. These
needs are typically Alzheimer’s
disease, Parkinson’s, stroke, or
other form of confusion and memory
loss. The vision that a care
partner will be stimulated by
activity and interaction with caring
people is a “success story” in over
thirty-three congregations and
growing.
The Gathering Place allows
caregivers free time, without
worry, to enjoy a break from
their daily responsibilities, to
go to the doctor, run errands,
have lunch with friends, or just
take a nap.
Gathering Places are held in the
facilities of area congregations
where care partners (guests)
participate in entertainment,
exercise, music, crafts, bingo,
and a light lunch. The schedule
is usually from 10:00 a.m. until
1:30 or 2:00 pm. - once per
month. There are usually 12-18
participants with 12-20
volunteers, including two
co-leaders to coordinate
planning with the support of
Interfaith CarePartners.
This ministry is a lifeline for
family caregivers responsible
for care of loved ones who are
stricken with some form of
confusion and memory loss.
Sometimes caregivers remain and
become part of the Gathering
Place activities because they
appreciate seeing their family
members enjoying themselves in a
safe social setting.
We are looking for members of
our congregation who would be
interested in volunteering to
help once a month or even once
or twice a year, but we feel if
you try it out you will want to
come more often. We are also
looking for members of our
congregation who are caregivers
and would benefit from this
ministry. You may email
drussi@fumcpearland.org for
more information, to volunteer
or to let us know of a caregiver
who could benefit from this
program.
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