Shepherding Program

Bobby McClure Shepherding Ministry 

 Ministry Statement:  As the Holy Shepherd cares for us, so must we also care for each other.

Goals:

1.      To share God’s love with others

Jesus said, “If you love me, feed my sheep.”

2.   To use our God –given abilities to help others.

1 Peter says, “God has granted each of you some special abilities.”

3.   To offer comfort, support, and friendship in Christ’s name, to others

The Bobby McClure Shepherding Ministry is first and foremost an opportunity to respond to God’s commandment to “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.”  It is an opportunity to obey Jesus’ directive to “Feed my Sheep.” It is one of the ways we live out the vows of church membership—the promise to serve as Christ’s representatives in the world and to participate in the church’s   ministries by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service.

            The Shepherding Ministry is a team of volunteer church members who are reaching out to every member of our congregation with Christ-like love and compassion.  This is our way of showing that God loves them, the church loves them, and we are here for them if they ever have a need.

            Part of the mission in the Shepherding Ministry is to ensure that no one is missed either in their presence in worship each week or in their absence from worship.  The shepherds maintain contact either by phone or in person, keep their lambs in their daily prayers and basically be a loving Christian brother or sister.  Shepherds send get well cards, anniversary cards, etc. 

            When a family joins the church they are assigned a shepherd whose goal is to orient them into the church’s organization, activities, and facilities. The goal is to have new members achieve a more fulfilling church life experience by becoming aware of the variety of opportunities and connecting with those activities that match their interest. In doing so, they become more involved and participating members of the church family.

If you would like to be a part of the Shepherding Ministry or want more information, contact Daisy McClure (dlmcclure@earthlink.net) or Kathy Edge (jedge@knology.net).

 There are many ministries that fall  under the

Shepherding umbrella.

 Butterflies Grief Support meets the second Thursday of each month at the church at 6:00 p.m.  Butterflies is a grief support group for anyone struggling with the loss of a loved one.  They meet for approximately one hour each month and anyone is invited to attend.  The ministry is led by Lynn Johnson (Lynn6@charter.net) and Ida Bell.

 Telephone Ministry, under the leadership of Lorena DeLoach, contacts the shut ins of our church once a week to make sure they are doing well and if any help is needed.  Contact the church office (334-756-2221) for more information.

 Prayer Shawl Ministry is a worldwide movement of small groups who gather to create shawls and lap robes for individuals who would benefit from this outreach of love and compassion.  Often these are people burdened with illness or sorrow, but the shawls and lap robes can also be a gift to celebrate a marriage or a new baby.  The purpose is to provide a garment that will allow these individuals to encounter God’s love and presence in a tangible way – a feeling of comfort and warmth beyond what the woven threads alone would be able to provide. As each shawl or lap robe is made, each creator prays for the individual who will receive this gift.   Contact the church office (334-756-2221) for more information.

 The Nursing Home and Assisted Living Ministry visits both nursing homes and assisted living homes once a week to sing, dance, and share a good time with the patients.  They spread the love of God to each individual.  For more information contact Chuck and Ruth Otto (csotto@knology.net)

Caregivers, also under the direction of Chuck and Ruth Otto, contacts the elderly and shut ins and takes them to doctor’s appointments or to the store or wherever they may need to go.

 Advanced Prayer Team meets every Sunday morning at 8:15 a.m. to pray. The teams moves throughout the church praying for the services an dactivities that will happen that day.  The main focus is to saturate our church with prayer before anyone arrives. To become a part of this team, contact Faye Crowder (fcrowder@charter.net).

 School Ministry – Our church is Partners in Education with LaFayette Lanier Elementary School.  The volunteers of this ministry help at the school in any capacity needed from reading to the children, doing music, or helping with their Fall Festival.  To become a part of this team, contact Suzanne Provence (provence@bellsouth.net).

 Hospital and Critical Care – This team of volunteers visit the hospital and critically ill people within the congregation to help assist them with their needs. Contact Yvonne Wright or  the church office for more information (334-756-2221).

Card Ministry – Annette Elliott sends cards to people in the congregation who may be in the hospital, experiencing good or bad moments in their lives, or just a reminder that God loves them as well as the church.  If you know of someone who needs a card, contact Annette (elliotta@mindspring.com)

 Operation Help-A-Child - This ministry provides breakfast, snacks, and chaperones for needy children of the Valley area.  The children are taken to Wal-Mart to buy school supplies and clothes for themselves in July and December.  This is done through donations that are matched by Wal-Mart. Contact Carol Dickens (dickens103@charter.net) for more information.

 Christian Support Group for Infant Loss and Miscarriage – meets on an as needed basis.  If you or someone needs this group, please contact the church office (334-756-2221)

 Military Support Ministry – This ministry to the military consists of two separate programs.  One is the support for military families, this group meets on an as needed basis. The other part of the ministry is actually “shepherding” some service members.  They maintain contact with service members whose names are turned in by family members or other service members.  They correspond with them periodically to let them know they are thought of and that God’s people at Langdale United Methodist Church are available to support and help them as needed. For more information, contact Ronnie and Bonnie Bonner (ronnieb1red95@charter.net) or the church office (334-756-2221).

Shepherding Training – is done on an as needed basis.  For more information contact Nancy Calhoun (program@lumchurch.com).

             The Bobby McClure Shepherding Ministry is made up of men and women of Langdale United Methodist Church gifted by the Holy Spirit to offer Shepherding car to others.  If you are interested in becoming a part of this ministry, please contact Daisy McClure (dlmcclure@earthlink.net) or Kathy Edge (jedge@knology.net).