Congregational Care
The poet Rilke once said, “For one human being to love another; that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks, the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation.” On some level, we all know this profoundly human difficulty that is relationships.
Perhaps Jesus claims love of God and love of neighbor as the primary focus of human endeavors exactly for the very challenge that is love—for the very reason that it takes the whole of who we are in order to do it well. At its heart, congregational care is about these interwoven, tangible and not-so-tangible, spaces of practicing love of God and the persons with whom we interact daily, growing as individuals and as a community in becoming better and better lovers of God, of people, and of ourselves.
Pastoral Care
If you are in need of pastoral care, would like to request a visit, or would like to report a hospitalization, please call or email the church.
847-256-3010 | office@fpc-wilmette.org
To schedule a counseling appointment or to request consultation from any member of our pastoral staff, please feel free to contact the church office and your call will be transferred.
Deacons
At First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette, our Deacons attend to temporary and ongoing concerns within the life of the congregation so members are better able to participate in our worship life, fellowship, and ministry. Deacons are elected by the congregation and ordained to serve the church in practical and spiritual matters. Among their many acts of caring, deacons bring communion to the homebound and help members who need assistance joining us for Sunday services. Families with new babies and those who have recently moved; members who are ill, incapacitated, or hospitalized; the homebound; and members who have experienced recent losses are among those to whom Deacons lend a hand and hold dear in our hearts and prayers. If you know of a member who needs assistance, please call or e-mail the church.
847-256-3010 | office@fpc-wilmette.org
Deacon's Care Bookshelf
The Deacon’s Care Bookshelf in the church lounge offers a selection of helpful readings on a topics ranging from marriage, dealing with loss, birth, and illness. Members are welcome to take and keep any book from the shelf at no charge. Voluntary donations are accepted.
Stephen Ministers
The PBS "Religion and Ethics" news show aired an eight-minute feature on Stephen Ministry that vividly describes the life-changing ministry happening in thousands of congregations. Click on the arrow to watch the video below
and catch a glimpse of how God is working through Stephen Ministry to bring Christ's love and care to hurting people.
Everyone experiences challenges in life, times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian Friend. Stephen Ministers are ready to provide emotional and spiritual care to members facing a crisis or difficulty such as the loss of a loved one, hospitalization, divorce or separation, loneliness, unemployment, or spiritual crisis. Through our Stephen Ministry program, First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette offers confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.
A Stephen Minister reaches out with God’s love to one who is hurting. He or she has gifts for caretaking and was carefully selected to serve in this role. Each Stephen Minister has completed 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care, and is ready to serve as a caring, Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages.
If you or someone you know could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister, or if you are interested in learning about becoming a Stephen Minister yourself, talk with one of our Stephen Leaders. Contact the church office at 847-256-3010 or e-mail office@fpc-wilmette.org for more information.
Barnabus Prayer Shawl Ministry
Throughout the year, members lovingly and prayerfully knit beautiful prayer shawls as gifts for those who need our support. The Barnabus Prayer Shawl Ministry is a group of folks who dedicate time to knit a shawl for a person in physical, spiritual, or emotional need. The knitting is spiritual and contemplative work, an expression of concern for one in need of comfort. Each is made with love and prayerful intention for another. If you know of someone who would appreciate a shawl, or if you enjoy knitting and are interested in making a prayer shawl, contact the church office at 847-256-3010 or e-mail office@fpc-wilmette.org for more information.
Prayer Team
The Prayer Team meets weekly to pray through the cares and concerns in our weekly Common Life bulletin and other prayer requests. If you are interested in joining or have a prayer request, please contact the church office at 847-256-3010 or e-mail office@fpc-wilmette.org for more information.