Care & Support Ministry

Care and Support at First Pres

The Congregational Care Committee provides compassionate, caring concern through personal service to members of our church family and community who live with special needs. If you are interested in participating in or receiving care from one of the various areas of service below, please contact Parish Associate for Pastoral Care, Rev. Ashley Drake Mertz, 817.335.1231, ext. 264. In addition, you may also obtain reviews by church members of assisted living/care options in the Fort Worth community.

STEPHEN MINISTRY & SUSTAINING CARE

For nearly forty years, First Presbyterian Church's Stephen Ministers have provided one-on-one care and support to those in need during difficult times — such as divorce, anxiety, death of a loved one or chronic illness. More recently, Sustaining Caregivers have begun to journey alongside those who simply need companionship and someone with whom to share their stories and struggles. Stephen Ministers and Sustaining Caregivers receive extensive specialized training, supervision, and continuing education.

CARE TEAMS

Organized to coordinate temporary care of those who are hospitalized, chronically ill, or bereaved by providing meals, transportation, errand-running and other services. 

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Offered periodically throughout the year, these groups support those experiencing or recovering from grief, facilitated by ordained pastors and/or trained professionals. 

CARD MINISTRY

Volunteers write to all new members, confirmands, and parents of the newly baptized, welcoming them into the church family. Others maintain regular contact with homebound members who live out of the area and cannot be visited.  

HOUSE SITTING MINISTRY

Volunteers stay in the home of a bereaved family during memorial/funeral services to answer the phone, receive gifts of flowers and food, and provide a presence at a vulnerable time.

FLOWER MINISTRY

Members deliver flowers from Sunday worship services to those who are hospitalized or homebound.

MEN'S VISITATION TEAM

Volunteers visit men of the church who can no longer attend worship, keeping them connected to their church family.

MUFFIN TLC MINISTRY

Once a month, volunteers package muffins and other special items, delivering them to families and individuals in special need of a tangible gift of love.

PRAYER LINE MINISTRY

Dedicated "prayers" pray for the church and its members daily. Many volunteers are homebound or unable physically to participate in more active ministries. 

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

Volunteers create shawls and other knitted items to be delivered to those in need of comfort and solace as they pray for the person who is to receive it.

SHUTTLE MINISTRY

Volunteers drive a golf cart shuttle between Trinity Terrace, the church parking lots, and the church entrance to enable elderly members to continue to attend worship services.