Support Groups

Stephen Ministry -- The Stephen Ministry is a worldwide ministry in which trained and supervised lay persons, called Stephen Ministers, provide one-on-one Christian care to individuals facing life challenges or difficulties.  Stephen Ministers attend 50 hours of initial training and then have continuing education and supervision throughout their time in this ministry.  They are using Christian resources in caregiving.  Stephen Ministers pray for and with their care receivers.  This program is carried out in total confidentiality.

Pastors will always be the primary caregivers in a church, but there is no way pastors can meet all the needs for care.  God has called all of us, not just pastors, to minister to one another.

Joyful Memories Group -- This group, which evolved from a former Grief Recovery Group, is composed of men and women who developed unique friendships through their association in that group.  As suggested by Hospice, they continued to meet monthly after the class was over.  They meet at noon on the first Tuesday of every month for lunch at various restaurants in the area.  Additional people who have lost loves ones have joined them.  They have a short devotional and enjoy each other's company.  The friendships and camraderie are good and help to brighten the day.

Out-to-Lunch Bunch -- The mission of the Out-to-Lunch Bunch is to visit our shut-ins and those members who reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.  There are many in need of our friendship.  The group meets for lunch the first Wednesday of every month at different locations in the West Ashley area.  After enjoying lunch and fellowship with other Grace members, our volunteers select the member or members they would like to visit during the coming month.  Visits may be done alone or with a partner.  The visits are much appreciated and are mutually beneficial.  Information on the current month's restaurant may be found in the current Words of Grace and the bulletin.

We Care Groups -- Every member of Grace is a part of a We Care group.  Presently, there are 16 groups made up of individuals who live in close proximity to one another.  The purpose of each group is to extend a helping hand to others in times of need.  Living geographically close to each other makes it easier to lend assistance.  A list of your group will be provided.  It will enable you to familiarize yourself with the others in your group.  Reach out to others in your group in good times as well as bad times with a card or a phone call.

Touchable Prayers -- A Prayer Shawl Ministry is offered at Grace for those in need of comfort and solace.   The ministry is all about providing "touchable" prayers for anyone in need.  The shawls may be knitted or crocheted or in the form of a fleece blanket.  Any member may request a shawl for a family member or friend who is undergoing health problems, personal difficulties or any kind of traumatic experience.  The potential recipient must be receptive to this.  Interested church members gather on the second Saturday of the month to review requests and work on the shawls.  All are welcome to participate.  When work on the shawls is completed, they are displayed on the chancel rail in the sanctuary for one to two weeks so that everyone has an opportunity to offer a prayer for the recipients.  The requestor then presents the shawl to the recipient.

Peace after Divorce Workshop -- This eight-week workshop, based on the book, Peace after Divorce: Choosing Concrete Actions Rooted in Faith, will be held at Grace two to three times during the year.  The next workshop will be held on Tuesdays, from January 8 to February 26..  The book blends real-life strategies for reducing the negative influence of divorce in a person's life with the power of God's love, promises, and forgiveness.  Attendees will apply what they read to their personal situations as they ponder and answer the questions in the workshop book.  Scriptures offer encouragement and support.  Small group discussions offer peer support and insight in a non-judgmental Christian environment.  After Divorce Ministries, LLC, the organization presenting the workshop, is an independent ministry dedicated to helping divorced and divorcing people blend the power of God's love with real-life strategies for moving beyond the impact of divorce.  For more information or to register, please contact Rebecca Rink at twospinningfeathers@yahoo.com and/or Renee Ettline at After Divorce Ministries (renee@afterdivorceministries.com).