Coping With Loss and Grief
Losing someone or something you love is one of life’s most painful experiences. Many difficult and surprising emotions, such as shock, anger, guilt and sadness are often frightening and overwhelming. The death of a loved one is one of life’s most significant losses but grief can also accompany the loss of a job, health, financial stability, a dream or a meaningful relationship. Mike Schwartz, Pastoral Care Pastor, says “People often express a concern that they might be losing their minds while experiencing deep grief. The struggle to maintain daily routines and follow through with responsibilities of job and family become tremendous challenges. Knowing the symptoms of grief and how to cope is something most people don’t want to learn about until they find themselves in the midst of grief.”
A grief workshop will be held on Saturday, March 21 from 9:00am until Noon at Madison Park Church. Rev. Rob Mifflin, a certified grief counselor and chaplain for Community Hospital Hospice, will be leading the workshop. Pastor Schwartz notes that, “Rob has twenty-six years of pastoral experience and a heart full of compassion.” The workshop will help discover the nature and affects of grief while giving tools to help cope. If you or someone you love is going through a season of grief, plan to attend this important workshop and find the help and hope God wants for every individual. Contact Pastoral Care at the Church Office if you plan to attend or for more information.
Filed under: -- Health Care Ministry, -- Volunteer Ministry, Feature Articles
Madison Park Church has long been in the business of ministering spiritually. But the bodies of the body haven’t always received the same care. Realizing the intimate connection between the physical and the spiritual, the church developed a Health Care Ministry, which is now a thriving aspect of this healthy congregation. threads recently chatted with Mike Schwartz, pastor of Pastoral Care, who oversees this ministry.
“Sharing the compassion and love of Christ is the core value of Pastoral Care,” states Mike Schwartz, Pastoral Care Pastor. “The areas of needs and MPC ministry services are vast,” he continues, as he shares valuable information about MPC Health Ministry.
threads: When you say Health Ministry what does that involve?
Pastor Mike: The Health Ministry is essentially a nursing ministry that provides resources to people who have recently been released from the hospital. The nurses help make assessment of the needs and recommend resources available, whether immediate or long-term. Medical supplies such as beds, wheelchairs, walkers, and shower chairs are available if needed.
threads: What is the First Response Team?
Pastor Mike: The “First Response Team” is a group of volunteers who can provide medical emergency assistance during church services and other activities on MPC grounds.
threads: Who makes up the Health Care Ministry?
Pastor Mike:The First Response Team are people who are in the medical profession such as doctors, nurses, and EMT’s who volunteer to assist in medical situations when they are on the MPC campus.
threads: Are there volunteer opportunities for non-medical professionals?
Pastor Mike: Lynn Simpson is the coordinator of the Health Ministry and many volunteers are needed to carry out the other areas of service. Volunteers assist in transporting a patient to a doctor’s appointment or other treatments. The Respite Care volunteers sit with patients while the primary caregiver gets time away for errands, appointments or a little relaxation.
threads: What other services does the Health Ministry provide?
Pastor Mike:Nurses are available for blood pressure screening on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Monthly educational opportunities are offered on various aspects of health such as breast cancer awareness and medicine and prescriptions alerts and helps. On October 10 MPC Health Mininstry volunteers will participate in the Health Fair which will be held in the Anderson Mall.
threads: How can someone become involved with Health Ministry?
Pastor Mike: Pastoral Care and Health Ministry simply cannot be done by one or two people; it requires a large team of volunteers. We could not possible get it done without the team of volunteers we now enjoy and yet to meet the growing needs we pray for God to raise up new volunteers who will share the compassion and love of Christ.
Want to join the Health Care Ministry team? Contact Pastoral Care at the Church Office for more information.
