Bethlehem Connect July/August 2018 | Page 8

Free 1: an opportunity to give back to your community 2: learn a lot S pirits 3: meet new friends Why volunteer: Free 4: make a difference to someone and in your community. Come join Care Ministries! Read these short descriptions of all the ways you can connect with Bethlehem Lutheran Church's Care Ministry. We would love to have you join us. Spirits Free Free Spirits S pirits Free For more information or help finding the perfect place for your time, talents, energy, and passion, contact Diane,[email protected] or 612.312.3375. S pirits Monday Night Mental Health is a monthly speaker series Monday Night focused on Mental Health Mental topics. Each session meets Health on the second Monday of each month from 5:45 pm when a light supper is served until 8:30 pm and is free. Volunteers help set up and tear down for each event, assist with meals, and work with the speaker. Contact: Pam Gerber, pgerber@ bethlehem-church.org. Mental Health Connect is a ministry of Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities and a collaborative between 5 other area churches which aims to reduce barriers people face when trying to access mental health services and connect individuals to the services they need. Volunteers are able to assist this ministry in a variety of ways. Contact: Gretchen Porter, gporter@ bethlehem-church.org. 8 SALT, Seniors Active in Life Together (Minneapolis campus) and Free Spirits (Minnetonka campus) are the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities’ senior adult ministries groups. The groups meet for social events monthly to strengthen their connection with each other, their community, and their faith. Volunteers coordinate and host events. Contact: Diane Waarvik, dwaarvik@bethlehem-church. org or Sue Lungstrom, [email protected]. A L S T Free seniors active in life together Spirits The Grief Ministry Team recognizes the difficulties that come with the death of a loved one and work to reach out to provide support to those who are dealing with a recent loss. Volunteers can serve in a variety of capacities. Contact: Pastor Kris TM, [email protected]. The Gathering is a program coordinated by Avinity and held at Bethlehem on Thursdays to provide respite and support for caregivers of family members experiencing early to mid-stage memory loss. The participants enjoy engaging programming led by specially trained volunteers. Volunteers are essential and the areas to serve include: Being a 1:1 companion, making and serving lunch, and helping to serve lunch. Contact: Pam Gerber, [email protected]. Parish Visitors and Lay Eucharistic Ministers provide compassionate listening through visits and phone calls and bring blessed communion to Bethlehem community members whose life situations limit their church attendance. Both Parish Visitors and Lay Eucharistic Ministers have training and continued education and support. Contact: Diane Waarvik, [email protected]. Healing Touch is a relaxing, nurturing energy therapy which can affect positive change in people’s health and well-being through gentle touch either on or off of the body to assist in restoring harmony and balance in the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the self. Volunteers receive Healing Touch certification before assisting clients. Contact: Karen Morey, [email protected]. Starfish Ministry is a collaborative with Judson Memorial Baptist Church. Volunteers respond to requests from persons in need of emergency financial assistance for housing, utility services, food, transportation, and other basic needs. Contact: Diane Waarvik, [email protected].