Pastoral Care

Crisis Care
At FCC we are privileged to care for one another in times of difficulty.  If you or a loved one are experiencing hospitalization, illness or a personal crisis of any nature, please contact the church office or one of our pastors so that needed support, be it spiritual or otherwise, can be provided.

Prayer Chain
We are a praying church and believe in its power to make a difference in our lives and the world.  Members of the prayer chain receive the prayer requests submitted in our worship services, as well as those that are called in or emailed to the church throughout the week.  Your joy or concern matters to us and to God.  If you wish to become a member of our prayer team, contact the church office with your email address.

Stephen Ministry is ...

• a one-to-one ministry by trained, caring members of our congregation;
• regular, reliable, confidential care, usually on a weekly basis;
• a way to bring Christ’s healing love to those who are experiencing stresses or transitions in their lives;
• a way to support those who are hospitalized, homebound, grieving, in the midst of a job crisis, experiencing marital difficulties, struggling with their faith, caring for family members in a medical crisis,  terminally ill, and those with other specialized needs.

Stephen Ministers

• are lay people who are equipped in the areas of listening, confidentiality, the use of traditional Christian resources, crisis theory and intervention, and many specialized topics such as grief, depression, and stress;
• participate in monthly peer support supervision and continuing education.

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulty and would like to receive Stephen Ministry care, contact one of our Stephen Leaders:
Rev. Jim Hartley - 708.798.2800 x18
Christa Diener - 708.647.1019
Sandy Laabs - 708.798.2299
Pat Nordbrock - 708.799.6787

To request a Stephen Minister or to inquire about becoming a Stephen Minister, contact our Associate Pastor for Mission and Pastoral Care, Rev. Jim Hartley at the church office or JHartley@fccfaithful.org.

Caring Ministries
The Diaconate Board answers Christ’s call to love one another by caring for our members in times of need and distress.  Among our caring ministries are:

• maintaining regular contact with homebound members or those who are living in healthcare facilities.
• arranging receptions following funerals or memorial services.
• coordinating volunteers to provide meals on a temporary basis to those in need.
• providing rides to church, doctor appointments, or physical therapy.
• delivering flowers from our worship services to those in need of a caring touch from their church family.
• providing help and support to expectant mothers and new moms through our Ministry to New Moms.

If you feel called or gifted in any of these areas, please contact Rev. Jim Hartley, Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Mission, to become a part of this ministry.