CONGREGATIONAL CARE MINISTRY

Our Congregational Care Ministry is just that…a team of folks that make home and other vists, send cards and show our church’s care and concern in other ways.

If you know of a church family member who is shut-n hospitalized, in a nursing home or at home and would like a visit, please contact our Pastor of Congregation Care, Rev. Janice Kahl at jkahl@charlestonwesley.org or call the church office at 217.345.3917 to keep us informed. 

CURRENT WAYS YOU CAN VOLUNTEER TO HELP IN CONGREGATIONAL CARE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

FAITH FRIENDS   

Volunteers make friends with a specific homebound person, couple, or group (such as those in a certain care facility) through a monthly visit, phone call or card at your convenience.  Training is on an individual basis with Pastor Janice Kahl. 

“BLESSED BLOSSOMS” MINISTRY   

This group of volunteers rearranges and delivers altar and other flower arrangements donated from others to be sent to the homebound, hospitalized, an ill.  If you like to repurpose flowers when they are donated to us or if you like to deliver these gifts with a smile, please contact Pastor Janice by email or phone.

HELPING HANDS   

Individuals or families assist members of our congregation with small household or yard tasks they can neither do on their own nor get help to do.  This group meets at least twice a year (usually on the weekend that the clock changes) for small cleanup tasks like replacing batteries or filters or light bulbs, washing outside windows, cleaning gutters, pruning small bushes or trees.  They also offer help for needs that occasionally appear on an individual basis that can be filled according to the volunteer’s gifts an time.  Helping Hands are always a special part of Wesley UMC’s Change the World Day in May, sponsored by the Church and Society Ministry Team.  For questions or to volunteer or to request help, please contact Pastor Janice at jkahl@charlestonwesley.org or call the church office.   

CARD MINISTRY   

Volunteers address and send cards to our homebound or ill (cards and stamps provided by the church.)  Help with church-wide signings at special times during the year.  We thank Chuck Eberly for his faithfulness in sending birthday and anniversary cards to all Wesley people who have given us that information.  Please contact Rosalie Addison (raddison@charlestonwesley.org) with that information or for any address change.

BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY WISHES   

Volunteers are needed who would be willing to leave a quick phone message or email or cell text to our Wesley people for one month of the year. If you are interested in helping get this new ministry going, please contact Pastor Janice at jkahl@charlestonwesley.org or call the church office.   

BASKET MINISTRY   

Wesley’s Basket Ministry regularly assembles and delivers baskets filled with inspiration materials, treats, homemade crafts, and small gifts to shut-ins. Each basket is blessed during Wesley’s worship and thus brig with it the prayers of many in our congregation who care for them. Baskets are delivered by volunteers four times during the year. A basket ministry group is currently in the process of evaluating the program and guiding its future. For questions or comments, or to volunteer, please contact Pastor Janice Kahl at jkahl@charlestonwesley.org.


Originally funded by Wesley United Methodist Church, Wesley’s Basket Ministry now operates through donations. If you would like to support this ministry, please make your check to Wesley United Methodist Church and write “Basket Ministry” in the memo line. Donations may be sent to the church at 2206 4th Street, Charleston, Illinois 61920, or placed in the offering basket on Sunday Morning.


CARING CARPOOL   

Offer transportation to nearby doctor appointments or worship services for our homebound, if convenient, on an as-needed, individual basis.  Contact Pastor Janice at jkahl@charlestonwesley.org or call the church office to offer your name to go on a contact as-needed basis.   

WORSHIP SERVICES AT ARBOR ROSE AND LAKEWOOD VILLAGE  

We currently offer worship services on the first and second Thursdays of each month to these small nursing homes.  This less-than-an-hour service involves singing, prayer, a message, and communion to people who are not able to go to their own congregations and who would not have a service would we not offer it.  If you would like to help with the service, your presence would be welcome by those who attend and you would be blessed yourself.  For more information or to volunteer, please contact Pastor Janice at jkahl@charlestonwesley.org or call the church office.