Congregational Care

Join the many servant hearts who show up to provide support to grieving families. They provide a meal to the home of the bereaved, coordinate a light reception here at the church, and ease the burden of so many details surrounding a loss. To get involved in this ministry, please contact Marti Evans (803.730.9536) or Vicki Williamson (803.957.5068).

Many times after a loss it seems that the whole work has moved on and no one cares or remembers. These vital ministry team members call on individuals who have experienced the death of a close family member. Team members also provide follow up over the next year by mailing a series of grief support books to these suffering individuals. This ministry is a great way to serve, give, and minister to those experiencing the pain of loss. To get involved in this ministry, please contact Marceil Mangum (803.356.5714).

The Caring Connections is a Seniors' ministry here at Saxe Gotha.  This compassionate group specializes in outreach to members who are no longer able to leave their homes unattended. This group communicates closely with family of these members in order to reach out when they need to help. Caring Connections volunteers may just make a phone call to say "hello" to someone who is not able to have visitors. Yet their work is God's work and it's extremely important to those who they serve. If you'd like to learn more about this ministry, you can contact:
Bonnie Minier (803.359.1322) or Mary Ann Wray (803.358.9151).

This group was formed by four of our church members to provide fellowship and grief support for widowers or men who have lost a close family member. The group meets every Tuesday at 12:00 noon at the Flight Deck Restaurant here in Lexington (109-A Old Chapin Rd.) and it continues to grow as new individuals learn about it. Members sometimes make Caring Connections visits after the lunch meeting, too. If you have been on your own unique grief journey and need support, this group can help. All men are welcome to attend! To learn more or ask questions, please contact Ted Lightle (803.359.9996).

In today's economy, many individuals are facing the difficult reality of finding a new position or alternative employment. This ministry assists individuals with writing a resume, improving interviewing skills, or providing support as one goes through this time of transition. The group meets each Monday morning from 9:00 - 11:00 am in the SGPC Library. Please enter the main SGPC Staff Offices entrance and our receptionist can direct you to the Library. All are welcome to attend! If you would like to assist with this ministry, please contact team members:

Jon Myers (803.727.0322)
Alysia Kehoe (408.504.8800)
Kathy Arrowsmith (803.238.6905)

Each week this ministry team follows up with each listed prayer concern with a handwritten note. Some notes are sent due to personal loss, medical condition, deployment or merely a praise for great news. This is a terrific way to serve and remind others of the love of Christ when they need it the most. To get involved in this minstry, please contact team member Judith Haile (803.920.6552).

This vital ministry provides a caring meal when perhaps it is needed the most. Such circumstances include the loss of a family member, the birth of a child, or a hospital stay. Every attempt is made to help members serve those neighbors who are in need. This ministry is a wonderful way for individuals or families to show care and concern to friends and neighbors! To get involved, please contact Marti Evans (803.730.9536).

Are you trying to find joy again after a painful divorce? Do you need help finding hope, or seeing God's plan for the next stages of your life, or the lives of your children? Divorce is one of the most stressful events anyone can experience. It often results in withdrawal and a sense of isolation, as well as feelings of abandonment by everyone, including God. If you are experiencing divorce, know that this ministry can help you. Saxe Gotha holds a Divorce Recovery Class for those who are in need.

Please contact Jennifer Dever via email or call (803.359.7770 ext. 63) for more information on Divorce Care classes (usually held in the fall).

GriefShare is a Biblically-based program for people who are grieving the death of someone close. It's a journey of faith, hope and healing. Each year our church holds a 13-week GriefShare class that begins on the first Sunday of each New Year. It's open to anyone and is led by a caring individual who will walk alongside you through one of life's most difficult experiences. You don't have to go through the grieving process alone.

Be sure to see our 2017 GriefShare brochure for a list of local programs in addition to the GriefShare sessions at Saxe Gotha.  You can also visit GriefShare.com for more information.

Our 13-week GriefShare class for 2017 begins in January  and will last through April. Specific dates to be announced.  We will meet every Sunday from 2-4 PM in the Fellowship Hall (Welcome Center). Anyone is welcome - members and non-members of Saxe Gotha. To register for the GriefShare program, please contact the church office at (803.359.7770). *Please note that there is a $15 charge for your own personal workbook that will be used in class. To get involved as Griefshare volunteer, please contact Marti Evans (803.730.9536).

Come be a part of this vital ministry that multiplies the layers of care here at SGPC. Spend a few moments visiting with those individuals in the hospital and deliver one of the cheerful yellow care bags that will hopefully make their stays in the hospital a little brighter! We provide a short training course and a supportive team behind you as you serve! For more information, please contact Susan Herndon (803.359.2973) or Tanya Hudson (803.359.5482).

Do you have a secret burden on your heart? The Intercessory Prayer Ministry is a group of trained lay people who pray for confidential prayer requests. They respond to prayer requests that are submitted to our prayer request boxes or listed on our service attendance cards. This ministry truly does God's work in praying for those who are suffering. For more information about this ministry or to email a private prayer request, please email our Intercessory Prayer Team.

Our partnership with both Crossroads Counseling Center and Pastoral Counseling Center of Palmetto Health Baptist provides a Christian-based counseling experience. When life's challenges become too heavy to carry alone, SGPC provides five FREE sessions with a licensed, professional counselor for our members. Please know that this is a confidential program. All counselors are licensed and hold a masters degree or higher educational experiences.

*Please note that it is a service available to only active church members and staff members.  Church members and staff members may call Crossroads Counseling or Palmetto Health Baptist confidentially to schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor. Please identify yourself as a member/staff member of Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church when you call. 

COUNSELING CENTERS

CROSSROADS COUNSELING CENTER
130A Whiteford Way
Lexington, SC 29072
803.808.1800

PALMETTO HEALTH BAPTIST               OR               PALMETTO HEALTH BAPTIST   
1501 Sumter Street                                                       9 Medical Park Drive, Suite 440
Columbia, SC 29201                                                     Columbia, SC 29203
803.296.5879                                                                 803.434.2767     

Compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting have been combined into a prayer ministry that reaches out to individuals in need of comfort or solace. Many blessings are prayed into every shawl that's created. The shawl maker begins with prayers for the unknown recipient and the intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way.

If you like to knit, or would like to learn to knit, then this ministry needs you. The group meets on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month (during the school year) in the Main Building, Room 154 from 10-11:30 am. This ministry is for beginners and advanced knitters, as instruction is provided for those who are new to this craft and ministry. Newcomers only need to bring needles. To get involved in this ministry, please contact Polly Askew (803.359.7263).

Facing the holidays after the loss of a loved one can be difficult. Receive encouragement and support in this special worship service in which we remember our lost loved ones.

People of all ages and in different phases of grief are able to commune in fellowship and even light a candle in memory of a loved one. It's a time to gather with others who may be in need of fellowship and comfort as they face the holidays. No registration is required. Please mark your calendar and join us for a special service of hope and healing. 

Our 2017 Remembrance & Hope service will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 3:00 pm in the sanctuary. *Please know that this is an annual event that happens in November. Please contact the church office at (803.359.7770) if you have any questions regarding this special service.

Stephen Ministry is our congregation's one-to-one caregiving ministry. These volunteers are lay members who provide a listening ear to those in need during a difficult time in their lives. These connections are confidential and matched up by gender. God works through Stephen Ministers to plant a seed of hope and healing in a person whose life seems barren and forlorn because of crisis or tragedy.

What do Stephen Ministers do? These individuals listen to people in need; explore feelings; pray; share Christ's love; maintain confidentiality; and attend to the care-giving process, while leaving the results to God.

How do you become a Stephen Minister? SGPC uses the Team Ministry's Spiritual Gifts Inventory (SGI) to help identify members' spiritual gifts and how and where to use them, such as with the Stephen Ministry program. See the page under Service regarding the SGI if you have not taken this self-assessment. Such ministers are Christian, caring people who are willing to learn, grow and serve.

Stephen Ministers have big hearts. If you are feeling unloved or need a friend, contact Jon Myers (803.727.0322), referral coordinator for men, or Carol Perrin (803.917.6690), the referral coordinator for women. Please know that your identity and requests are kept confidential.

Experiencing the loss of a loved one can be especially difficult during the holiday season. This video-driven curriculum will allow participants to acknowledge their hopes and fears during the holidays and explore meaningful ways to cope.

The 2017 Surviving the Holidays seminar will be held on Sunday, November 19, 2017. *Please know that this is an annual event that happens in November. 

Be a hero to a hero who selflessly gives to protect our country! You can provide care packages, correspondence, special holiday cards, Girl Scout cookies and other items throughout the year to brighten the days of our service men and women abroad. This is a wonderful ministry for individuals and families. To get involved in the United Heroes ministry, please contact Milton Wilmesherr (803.359.4003).

As a ministry to newborns and their families, you will be among the first to welcome these little ones to our church family by delivering a caring gift. This is a great ministry to encourage parents of newborns in their journey. To get involved, please contact Trudi Greene (803.957.8472).

This extra wonderful group of ladies get together monthly to provide support and share with each other in their unique journey of being a widow. Gathering to share a meal at a local restaurant every second Saturday of the month, they provide each other with vital fellowship, friendship and support, and have a lot of fun a along the way! All widows are welcome no matter the age! Co-Chairs are Jan Harrison and Carol Harden. For more information, please contact Jan Harrison (803.520.6640) or Carol Harden (217.652.2768).