The Congregational Care Committee has created a new Care Network Committee to reach out to our church community in times of need. This committee will coordinate services to our church community using resources currently available by church committees and other resources.

The Care Network vision is to be the starting place when a church staff, committee or church member identifies a need within our congregation. The expectation of this committee is to evaluate the needs by performing a home visit or telephone call.

At this time the Care Network Committee has identified the following activities than can be offered to the Southport Presbyterian Church family:
• Visiting
• Sitting
• Driving
• Meals
• Errands
• Light housekeeping
• Light yard work
• Light home repairs (changing light bulbs, replacing filters, faucet leaks, etc.)
We are soliciting members as well, who are willing to assist in these duties when needed. If you are interested in helping us, please call the church office, Gail Hedgecock, Jason Nettles or Gail Gray. These committees see this as an opportunity to reach more members in need without duplicating services or overwhelming them. We will offer support throughout their time of need.

SPC has teamed up with Trinity UMC and St. Philip’s Episcopal Church to hold our next training class beginning January 20 and running through May 11.

Serving as a Stephen Minister is an opportunity to touch people’s lives in powerful ways through “God’s Love in Action.”

A Stephen Minister walks alongside a hurting person to provide one-to-one, emotional and spiritual care—listening, empathizing, encouraging, helping process feelings, and connecting the person with God’s love. If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister or need refresher training from having served in the past, pray about the opportunity to serve, seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance and consider how you might be called to be “God’s Love in Action.” Stephen Ministers’ caregiving involves skills that are well within the ability of laypeople to learn and use. We especially encourage our SPC men to consider this calling, a one–on–one male to male, woman to woman caregiving ministry, so we can have it available for all who could benefit from having a Stephen Minister.

For more information about applying for this class, talk with Pastor Robb Lapp or one of our Stephen Leaders: Sally Barton 262–352–2790; Phyllis Falkenstein 925–699–9725; Ginny Prunty 240–672–3186. You can also find more information at: https://www.stephenministries.org/stephenministry/default.cfm/default.cfm/1759 N

Emergency Contact Forms for our members are maintained by our Congregational Care Ministry. At times these have been very helpful. When a church member has a medical or emergency need, we want to be in touch with a family member or friend. These forms were mailed to all members this week. You may respond one of three ways: by return mail, drop off at the church, or scan the completed form and email it to spc.office@southportpresbyterian.com If you have any questions, please contact Gail Hedgecock, Carolyn Thomae, or Carol Morrill. Thank you.