Caring Ministries

Zionsville UMC offers several support ministries to provide care and encouragement during difficult times:

  • Stephen Ministry: Trained lay caregivers offer confidential, one-on-one Christian support for those facing challenges like grief, illness, or job loss.

  • Caregiver Support Group: A space for caregivers to share experiences and receive support, shaped by participant feedback.

  • NAMI Support Group: A monthly meeting for parents and guardians of children with behavioral and mental health challenges.

  • GriefShare: A 13-week faith-based grief support program that helps individuals navigate the loss of a loved one.

Stephen Ministry

What Is Stephen Ministry? 

Stephen Ministers are there to care as you are going through a difficult time—physically, emotionally, spiritually, or relationally. Stephen Ministers are trained caregivers, ready to listen and encourage you, pray with and for you, and provide confidential one-to-one Christian care. Stephen Ministers provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care and support to people experiencing grief, divorce, cancer, job loss, loneliness, disability, relocation, and other difficult life circumstances.

ZUMC is one of more than 13,000 congregations from more than 180 Christian denominations that now have Stephen Ministry. Over 600,000 people have been trained as Stephen Ministers, a number that grows by tens of thousands each year. More than one-and-a-half million people across the United States, Canada, and the world have been touched by God’s love through a Stephen Minister. Through all these people—including our own 22 Stephen Ministers and their care receivers—the story of Stephen Ministry continues.

Important Notes

  1. Stephen Ministers are not counselors. They are trained to be lay Christian caregivers. Their role is to listen and care, not to counsel or advise.

  2. Stephen Ministry is a supervised ministry. Stephen Ministers engage in twice-monthly supervision, led by their Stephen Leaders, to ensure that they are providing the best Christian care they can.

  3. Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry. What a care receiver tells a Stephen Minister stays between the two of them. Even in supervision, the names of care receivers and specific details are never discussed.

If you think you might be interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, or feel you would benefit from having a Stephen Minister, please contact Peggy Reiff at preiff@zumc.org.

Additional information about Stephen Ministry is available at stephenministries.org

Caregiver Support Group

Caring for a loved one can be both a meaningful and challenging journey, and we recognize the importance of having a supportive community along the way. The first Sunday of every month we offer a space for caregivers to share their experiences, learning coping strategies, and connect with others facing similar challenges

For more information contact Bob Dralle (bdralle@zumc.org)

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

Starting October 15, Nami Family Support Group is moving to St Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church, 1525 Mulberry Street. This is a free, confidential, and peer-led support group for family members, friends, and significant others of people living with a mental health condition. Led by trained facilitators with personal lived experience, these groups offer a safe, non-judgmental space for participants to share experiences, gain hope, find empathy, and build supportive relationships by learning from each other's challenges and successes. This group meets the Third Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:00pm.

GriefShare

What is GriefShare?

GriefShare is a support group program that offers a safe and confidential environment for individuals who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The program is based on a 13-week video series featuring grief recovery experts and real-life stories of people who have experienced loss. Each session includes a video presentation, group discussion, and personal study and reflection.

Who can attend GriefShare?
GriefShare is open to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one, regardless of their religious beliefs or affiliations. The program is designed for individuals who are grieving the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or other close relative or friend.

How does GriefShare help with grief recovery?
GriefShare provides a structured program that helps individuals understand the grief process and move through it in a healthy way. The program focuses on providing emotional support, education, and spiritual guidance to help individuals cope with their loss. Participants learn practical strategies for dealing with grief, such as journaling, prayer, and meditation, and have the opportunity to share their experiences and feelings with others who are going through similar struggles.

How is GriefShare different from other grief support groups?
GriefShare is unique in its faith-based approach to grief recovery. The program is grounded in Christian principles and teaches that God can provide comfort and healing during times of grief. However, the program is open to people of all faiths, and participants are encouraged to share their own beliefs and experiences.

Zionsville UMC’s Next GriefShare Group

Please stay tuned for details of the next group.

Other GriefShare Groups

You can find a GriefShare group near you by visiting the organization's website (www.griefshare.org) and entering your zip code in the Find a Group search bar. The website will provide a list of nearby groups, including the meeting times, locations, and contact information. 

Questions? Please email griefshare@zumc.org.

Surviving the Holidays

Grief is more difficult around the holidays. When you have lost a loved one, the holidays can be bleak. Everyone seems to be joyful and that is just not how you are feeling. Join us on November 16th from 2:00-3:30pm for the “Surviving the Holidays” workshop. Learn helpful tips to help you make it through Thanksgiving, the Christmas parties, and those holiday traditions.  Register at Griefshare.org and search for Surviving the Holidays. For more information call or text Mary Katherine 317-523-7328