Family Care is a natural and precious outreach of a healthy Life Group. There are innumerable ways to help the hurt- ing or lost in their time of need and to truly be the “hands and feet” of God by actively serving with purpose.
We hope the following aid in your Life Group’s assistance if a member is ever faced with life’s challenges.
CARING FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING
• Pray with those faced with grief.
• Send cards to families who are grieving.
• Coordinate or sign up to bring the family meals.
• Plan a fundraiser to benefit a cause that means a lot to the family.
• Plant a tree or flower in memory of a loved one.
• Put together resources to support those who are grieving, like books, a list of local support groups, or links to websites that offer support and encouragement.
Tip: If your group member needs ongoing prayer support, please contact the Prayer Team Directors.
CARING FOR CHURCH FAMILY MEMBERS FACING A SERIOUS ILLNESS
• Send cards and encouragement often.
• Plan to clean the house or do yard maintenance.
• Organize hospital or home visits to brighten a person’s day.
• Create a basket of small, individually wrapped gifts so the recipient will have a basket of cheer they can go to whenever they need a lift.
• Write scripture or encouragement in sidewalk chalk on the driveway or sidewalk.
Tip: Use a schedule for visits or home care so the family has ongoing help for as long as they need and aren’t bombarded all at once.
CARING BY SUPPORTING WORLD MISSIONS
• Coordinate your mission trip from start to finish.
• Participate in a run/walk/ride event to raise money to fight hunger or provide clean water to impoverished countries.
• Sponsor a woman through Hope4them to provide a goat that supports the family.
• Find out your church's sponsored overseas missionaries and send them a care package.
• Have a world mission focus with our church, and sponsor our team that goes on foreign missions trips.
Tip: Give to the Missions Fund on The Fellowship App.
CARING FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY NEEDS
• Organize a food drive for a local non-profit that feeds the hungry.
• Collect clothing or other needs with a donation-based sign up.
• Gather a group to volunteer monthly in your community.
• Organize a book drive for an underprivileged school.
• Organize a sports equipment drive for an underfunded athletic association.
• Serve alongside The Fellowship a few times each year at our Food Pantry.
Tip: If you have daily, weekly or monthly needs, create a sign up where people can see the schedule far in advance.
CARING FOR THOSE IN A FINANCIAL CRISIS
• Hold monthly or weekly meetings and have financial counselors come and give advice.
• For those suffering from job loss, coordinate a list of mentors and match up those who could help one another.
• Offer to attend with your group member a financial planning class at your church.
• Post a list of money saving blogs that help with couponing and discounts.
• Donate to the church fund that helps families with urgent needs.
Tip: In an emergency situation, your group can collect money for a family in need.
CARING FOR THOSE IN RECOVERY
• Organize a meal schedule; restaurant gift cards are great, too.
• Plan some fun outings or plan one at home. • Coordinate friends to drive a patient to attend treatment.
• Plan a movie night - bring friends and popcorn.
• Stock the pantry/refrigerator.
Tip: Consider dietary needs of the individual when managing a meal sign up for someone in a doctor’s care. Communicate details on your sign up.
CARING THROUGH PRAYER
• Hold prayer vigils for those in your church family who need extra support.
• Organize a 24 Hours of Prayer event online.
• Email a daily/weekly prayer and ask others to join you in praying.
• Communicate specific prayer needs regularly. • Organize a prayer chain to take action on urgent prayer needs.
• Show up to The Fellowship at 10:00 am on Saturdays.
Tip: Organize a 24 Hours of Prayer event by setting up time slots online.