An Invitation to Living Faith ENCOURAGE

My little children, let's not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth. (1 John 3:18)

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry is a distinctively Christian caring ministry in which pastors and lay persons work together to provide quality one-to-one care to meet the needs of people experiencing a wide range of life crises or circumstances. Those served will be members of the congregation and persons of the community.

Stephen Ministers are accepted by application and given 50 hours of training by a Leader Team from First United Methodist and Memorial Lutheran. Classes are held on Tuesday evenings, Sept. 12 - Nov. 14, and January 9 - March 20, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.

All Memorial Members are a part of Stephen Ministry as they encourage family members and friends to seek the distinctively Christian care of a Stephen Minister whenever they are experiencing a life situation of some stress: hospitalization, parents with children leaving home, job crisis, birth/adoption, bereavement, etc.

Pastoral Care

Pre-Marital Counseling

Two tracks of pre-marital counseling are available to couples as they prepare not just for the wedding - but for a marriage! One track, called "Walking with Christ," is a spiritual formation model designed to help couples ground their marriage in Scripture and prayer together. The other track, called "Prepare" is a relationship inventory with skill-building exercises for healthy relationships. Pastor Herzberg and Pastor Burling request that pre-marital counseling begin six months prior to the wedding date.

Conversations with Chaplain Burling

Pastor David Burling, chaplain of Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames, and Memorial member, offers one-hour appointments for pastoral conversation on Wednesday afternoons and early evenings. You may schedule a confidential conversation by calling secretary Sherri Beaty at the church office, 382-6509.

Holiday Grief, Holy Day Hope

For those who have experienced the death of a loved one, Pastor Herzberg and Pastor Burling offer a program of pastoral conversation and prayer before the holidays. Thursday, December 13, at 10 a.m. , repeated at 7 p.m.

Women

Women of the ELCA

A very active WELCA program is offered at Memorial for all women. A wide range of Bible study, service and mission events take place throughout the year. Current leaders are: Jan Bairey, President; Jane Heintz, Vice-President; Judy Allen, Secretary; and Shirley Klonglan, Treasurer.

Memorial's WELCA is organized in four circles:

Esther Circle meets the First Tuesday each month at 2:00 p.m. with Georgia Rasmussen, chairperson.
Martha Circle meets the First Tuesday evening each month at 7:30 p.m. with Judi Blair, chairperson.
Mary Circle meets the First Wednesday morning each month at 9:30 a.m. with Sandy Christian, chairperson.
Ruth Circle meets the First Friday morning each month at 9:30 a.m. with Donna Shepherd, chairperson.

Seniors

Visitation Pastor

Pastor John Carlson offers pastoral conversation and Holy Communion to seniors and shut-in persons upon their request. Pastor Carlson also regularly visits Long Term Care, Rolling Green, and the Meadows in Nevada. Usually Pastor Carlson makes hi home visits on Tuesday mornings. To arrange a pastoral call, please contact Sherri Beaty in the church office.

Holy Communion at Long Term Care, Rolling Green, and The Meadows

Pastor Herzberg and Pastor Burling offer a full Service of Holy Communion to these residences each month. The services are offered the second Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at The Meadows; the third Tuesday at Long Term Care at 1:30 p.m.; and the fourth Wednesday at Rolling Green at 2:15 p.m.

Mentoring

Tenth Graders meet with adult Christian mentors six times in the fall to prepare for adult Christian commitment and Confirmation. The classes, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, begin with prayer and large group presentation, then 45 minutes of one-to-one conversation. A confirmation dinner with families and mentors Sunday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. celebrates this milestone. Confirmation Sunday is Oct. 29 at 11:00 a.m.

Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts

Memorial sponsors Boy Scout Troop #130, a troop recognized for its activity and long history. The congregation hosts a Cub Scout pack as well. There are many long-term and short-term opportunities for mentoring young people in the scouting programs. For information contact scoutmaster Dale Sloan in Cambridge at 383-4570.

Care Groups

Care Group Ministry

Care Groups are at the heart of our Christian family at Memorial. Every household is assigned to a Care Group. According to their preference, they are either part of the Care Group which serves the Sunday morning fellowship coffees, or they are part of the Care Group which is "on call" to help with funeral luncheons. From time to time, Care Groups provide special fellowship meals.

Lenten Simple Suppers

We gather as a family on Wednesday evenings in Lent for simple meals before Lenten worship. Serving is from 6:00 - 6:45 p.m., Wednesdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, and April 4.