First Congregational United Church of Christ Appleton, Wisconsin Ministries

Pastoral Care

We, at First Congregational, seek to build caring, Christ-centered relationships within the congregation. We are especially concerned that people feel cared for and have someone to journey with them in faith, particularly during times of life transition and crises. We seek to provide active caregiving programs led by church members and clergy to help respond to the personal and spiritual needs of the congregation.

We welcome your participation in our church and are most open to being of service to you or having you be of service to others.

Jesus said, "Lord, when did we minister unto you?" He replied, "As you have done it unto the least of these, so have you done it unto me." We are the body of Christ, the arms and hands of God, called to do the work of God in the world.

Friends in Christ

The Friends in Christ visitation team visits with our elderly and homebound on a regular basis. We currently have a need for more people to serve in this capacity. We meet at least once a quarter to gain wisdom from one another's experiences without violating confidentiality and to learn more about how we can be more helpful to our Friends in Christ.

If you would like to be a part of this important ministry, please contact Reverend Jane Anderson.

Stephen Ministry

This is a one-to-one caregiving ministry. All of us experience times of transition and crises in our lives. In being the Body of Christ, we are called to journey with one another in faith. How helpful it is to have someone from the community of faith who is equipped with special skills to journey with us in a caring, Christ-centered relationship! Stephen Ministry seeks to do just that by matching a trained caregiver with a care receiver and building a confidential loving relationship during a particular time of need. Stephen Ministry trains lay people and equips them with skills needed to journey with others in the community of faith during times of life transition or crises.

If you are experiencing a time of crises or are going through a life-changing time, please do not hesitate to contact Reverend Jane Anderson to see if having a Stephen Minister is right for you. There is always a need for trained Stephen Ministers, and we will offer to train more ministers in the future. Please contact Reverend Anderson to learn more about this Christian caregiving ministry and to see if Stephen Ministry is a place for you to make the most of your gifts and talents in the church.

Parish Nurse Program

Our Parish Nurse is Kerry Schmitt, RN. Kerry graduated cum laude from UW-Milwaukee with a BSN in 1992. She has experience as a cardiac nurse, care facilitator and nursing educator. She currently works as a Care RM manager with ThedaCare in Appleton and has been a member of First Congregational UCC for over ten years.

What does the Parish Nurse do?

The Parish Nurse works in consultation with the pastors, lay leaders and staff of First Congregational United Church of Christ to assist the health needs of the congregation by encouraging whole health promotion and disease prevention with an emphasis on spiritual care.

In addition to the care offered by our pastors, Kerry and a team of health professional volunteers will provide additional resources and referrals for our elderly, homebound, hospitalized, ill or recovering members of our church community. Monthly blood pressure screening events will be held at the church between services, along with other health education events. It is our hope that the Parish Nurse program will provide increased opportunities for integrating spirituality, health and wholeness within our community so that we may all live life with more abundance.

EVENTS: Beginning August 1, 2010 the Parish Nurse will offer free blood pressure screenings the first Sunday of every month in her office that is located across from Pastor Jane's office.