Christ United cares. We care when church members pass away. We care about those who are facing illness or divorce. We care about the new mother, the single parent, the aging parent, and the hurting teenager. Jesus spent his time on earth caring for God’s people and commands us to do the same. A list of our care ministries is below. Let us care for you, and we welcome you to join us in caring for others.
If you are a member who needs to speak with a pastor after office hours regarding a hospitalization or a death, you can call our pastor/chaplain line at 972-596-4303, option 2.
If you are struggling during the holiday season, we invite you to join us for our “Service of the Longest Night” Sunday, December 22, at 6:00 PM in our sanctuary and via livestream. This service offers hope and encouragement through music, prayer, scripture, and candle-lighting. For more information, contact Rev. Mike Flynn.
Volunteer with the Christ United Care Ministry!
We have several opportunities for you to support our care ministries at Christ United:
Preparing/delivering meals to families after a birth, hospitalization, or death
Serving as greeters or reception volunteers at memorial services
Delivering flowers to local assisted living communities once a month
Joining our prayer ministry team to pray for our members and community
If you would like to share your gifts and talents to care for others, contact Rev. Mike Flynn. Your support will make a difference to those in need and be a wonderful blessing to them!
Below is a helpful guide to assist individuals and families in documenting their end-of-life plans and related details. Although it may be a difficult conversation for some, this pre-planning can be very helpful to families. In addition, our Care Ministry staff hosts occasional sessions to discuss final arrangements. Contact Janet Scheible at Janet@cumc.com if you have questions on the guide or to inquire about a session.
Current research has indicated the reality in our society of loneliness/social isolation and the weakening of communities that hold us together and keep us healthy. This situation points to the crucial role of the church in addressing the “epidemic of loneliness.”
As a result, every church, regardless of theology or denomination, is called to increase its efforts to reach, engage, and involve the millions of people whose lives are isolated or empty.
To this end, as part of the Christ United Care Ministry, the Assisted Living Ministry is to share the love of God and for one another with church members and neighbors who are residents of a “continuum of care” in our community.
For more information or to volunteer, contact ALM Chair Leslie Barlow.
Caregiver Support Group
Caring for someone can be challenging on many levels, and each person’s journey is unique. Join us for an opportunity to share personal experiences, coping strategies, and resources in a caring and empathetic space where everyone’s journey is respected. This support group meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 1PM in N154. For more info, contact Janet Scheible.
Congregational Care Ministry
Christ United offers several care-giving ministries that support our members and others in the community. Our Stephen Ministry team provides one-on-one, confidential care for anyone struggling with a life issue, such as a death, divorce, or extended illness.
In addition, the Christ United care team provides visits to members and friends during their hospital and/or rehab stays. They are also able to provide in-home visits and communion for those who are homebound as requested.
We also have an ongoing “care call” ministry that provides calls to our senior members to check in with them and let them know we are thinking of/praying for them.
For more information on our congregational care ministry, along with a list of local resources/organizations to support caregivers, contact either Rev. Mike Flynn or Janet Scheible.
Grief Support Group
Christ United offers grief support for those who are experiencing the loss of a loved one. We provide a “safe space” in which anyone can participate, regardless of where they are in their grief journeys.
Monthly grief support meetings are the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00PM in room N154. For more information, or to be added to the email distribution list, please contact facilitator Margie Crews at mccrews2@tx.rr.com.
We also offer a “Journeying Through Grief” class every spring and fall to support individuals in their grief journeys. For more information on this or other local grief classes or groups, contact Rev. Mike Flynn.
Meal Preparation & Delivery
Do you like to cook? If so, this is a great opportunity for you. Volunteers are needed to prepare a meal for those who have been hospitalized, have a new baby, had a death in the family or are homebound. Meal preparation is simple – usually a casserole, salad and a dessert, or purchasing a ready-made meal. This is a great way to connect with members and share the love of Christ.
If you have experienced one of the above situations and would like a meal to be delivered, please contact Rev. Mike Flynn for more information.
Prayer Ministry
Christ United is committed to an ongoing prayer ministry that includes the following:
Prayer team: prays for others based on submissions from our prayer/care request page, prayer “pew cards,” and requests from our Chapel prayer wall. The team meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays in the Chapel from 6:30 – 7:30 PM.
Kandeler Chapel: offers a quiet time for prayer/reflection. Hours are Monday-Thursday 9:00am-4:00pm, Friday 9:00 AM -noon, and Sunday 9:00 AM-noon. Communion is served in the Chapel on the 2nd-4th Sundays from 9:30-10:00 AM and from 10:30-11:00 AM.
Prayer shawl ministry: meets the 2nd & 4th Monday in N155 from 3:00-5:00 PM. Volunteers knit prayer shawls and pray over them, which are then used for our pastor/chaplain visits to those who are in the hospital or are homebound. You can open and view the prayer shawl pattern PDF file here.
Prayer crosses: Volunteers sew small quilted squares with a cross tucked inside and pray over them. They are then used for our pastor/chaplain visits to those who are in the hospital or are homebound.
Prayer resources: several books and resources on prayer are available in the Christ United library.
For more information or to volunteer for any of these activities, contact Janet Scheible.
At Christ United, we offer the following annual Care Ministries events/services for you, your family/friends, and the community:
Service of Hope & Healing: provides a time for special prayers and anointing to offer hope and encouragement.
Blessing of the Pets: provides a safe and fun way to honor your special pet with a brief service and a special blessing.
Service of the Longest Night: offers hope and encouragement for those struggling during the holidays through music, scripture, prayer, and candle-lighting.
Please contact Rev. Mike Flynn at Rev. Mike Flynn for more information.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is a lay-driven ministry that provides a way for our congregation to provide one-on-one, confidential care to hurting people in the church and community. NOTE: Stephen Ministry is NOT licensed professional counseling. For this type of service, please see the information on our Counseling & Stephen Ministry page.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT:
Al-Anon
The “Acceptance AFG” support group meets Saturdays 10:00-11:00 AM in room N158. For more information, email the group or visit the Al-Anon website. NOTE: you can also contact the Dallas Al-Anon office at 214-363-0461 for general information about DFW Al-Anon groups.
Carter Blood Drive
Christ United hosts quarterly blood drives offered by Carter Blood Care. The drives are on Sundays from 8:30am-12:30pm and are located in our South Parking Lot. Below is a list of the blood drive dates for 2024, along with a registration link when available.
December 8: You can register for this blood drive here.
Please contact Rev. Mike Flynn at mike@cumc.com for more information.
Counseling Services
Christ United partners with a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) for both individual and family counseling services. Visit our Counseling Ministry page to learn more.
Practice Interview Team
Provides support, networking, and skill development programs for the unemployed or underemployed. The group generally meets the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 12:30 PM in N255, although the schedule may vary. Contact coordinator Ron Leighton at dallaspitcrew@gmail.com for more information.
