Pastoral Care

In the event of illness, hospitalization, or personal or family crisis in which you need the support and care of your pastor, please contact us right away. In cases of hospitalization, we are not notified by the hospital and would need to be contacted by you or your family.

Congregational Care Ministry 
 
The Congregational Care Ministry provides compassionate concern for the members of the church family who have special needs of support. Please call Beth Louder, 533-3931, or the church office, 533-9668, if you know someone in our church family who needs support.

• A Prayer Group consisting of more than 60 congregational members, will pray for specific individuals in crisis. Submit a prayer card at church, call the church office, or make a request online with a clear statement of the prayer purpose.  Please also obtain permission from anyone named in the prayer request. Contact Pam Nelson, 566-9515.
• Hospital Visitation - Someone from the team of Care Ministers will visit, pray with, and support FUMC members who are hospitalized. Since hospitals are no longer allowed to notify the church when members re admitted, you must call the church office at 533-9668 to let us know. The Care Ministers, along with our Pastors, are here to provide loving support to each member during a hospital stay. Contact the church office, 533-9668. If you are interested in reading more about health and the United Methodist Church please see this link.
• Blood pressure screening is offered between worship services on the third Sunday of each month in the Narthex. Contact Jill Briggs, 540-8187.
• The Card Team sends greeting cards to members of our church family expressing sympathy, get well, or encouragement. If you know someone who would be uplifted by a card communication from the church, please notify the church office, 533-9668, and provide a current address.
• Meals are provided on a short-term or emergency basis. The meals will be prepared to the best of the provider’s abilities to meet any special dietary needs.  The portions, number of meals, times, and deliveries are also considered at the initial contact. Contact Dawn Moffett, 534-1927.
• Parents of New Arrivals - Members of the Mothers Together group will help welcome new additions to your family by providing meals, cards, and other support as needed. Contact Kelcee Spotts, 566-9655.
• The Visitation Team will phone and/or visit regularly anyone from our church family who has continuing physical conditions that require a long-term care facility or who are at home, but physically unable to be present at church for worship or other activities. Contact Jo Ann Firestone, 919-5251.
• The Home Communion Visitation Team serves Communion at the homes and residents of the First Church community who are unable to attend our worship services. Contact Fay Faust, 533-4995
• Transportation to local doctor appointments or for other temporary, short term purposes can be provided for ambulatory persons of the congregation. Contact Carol Cranford, 566-8997 and Bev Meiser, 652-3847.
• The Blood Donor Club provides opportunities for members to to help save a life by donating blood at specified times during the year. Contact Dick Brandt, 367-5908.
• Stephen Ministry - We have many needs for care in our congregation, such as grief, serious illness, unemployment, and other stresses or challenges. A Stephen Minister is trained to confidentially share other people’s difficult times by listening and praying. An assigned Stephen Minister will walk alongside as a caring Christian friend to guide and strengthen. “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galations 6:2) Stephen Ministers are persons who have participated in 50 hours of training in providing high quality Christian care to individuals experiencing a crisis or a challenge in life. Stephen Ministers are assigned the task of visiting and meeting with persons for encouragement and support during a difficult time. This caring relationship creates an opportunity for sharing the love of Jesus in a way that blesses all involved. If you would like more information on how to become a Stephen Minister or to receive a visit from one, please contact David Glassmoyer, 810-1890 or the church office, 533-9668.

Other Resources

Love INC of Greater Hershey
Started by Hershey Ministerium, Love INC (In the Name of Christ) is a network of 15 area churches (FUMC-Hershey included) working together with service agencies to help our neighbors in need. For more information, see Love INC of Greater Hershey.