Caring
St. James is a church where compassion is more than a feeling. Our clergy are available to talk and pray with you when you are experiencing grief, a difficult family situation, an illness, or when you are struggling with another challenging life event. In addition to our pastors, the church also equips and empowers lay caregivers—called Lay Chaplains—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. If you would like to talk to a pastor or our Director of Congregational Care, call the main church number at 501-217-6700 and we will get you in touch with a member of our clergy.
There are many phases of life during our time here and our needs change as the seasons do. We offer many ways of care and support through our programs and services here at St. James. If you find yourself in need of comfort, support and compassion, know that there is a place for you. Contact Jenny Smith, Director of Congregational Care to see what programs or services are right for you. Jenny can be reached at 501-217-6756 or jenny@stjameslr.org.
There are many phases of life during our time here and our needs change as the seasons do. We offer many ways of care and support through our programs and services here at St. James. If you find yourself in need of comfort, support and compassion, know that there is a place for you. Contact Jenny Smith, Director of Congregational Care to see what programs or services are right for you. Jenny can be reached at 501-217-6756 or jenny@stjameslr.org.
Congregational Care
The St. James model of congregational care is built on an active pastoral-staff-lay partnership. As a large church,
St. James follows the biblical model of congregational care giving, supports the ministry gifts of trained servant disciples. Our dedicated pastors, Congregational Care Director. Community of Hope Chaplains, staff and volunteers offer ministries to meet the spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational needs of our church family and community. From marriage, births, deaths and all of life's events in between, we are here to help meet your needs. Our trained staff can provide counseling, arrange hospital, nursing home, or home visitation, or simply support you in prayer. Jenny Smith, Director of Congregational Care, ensures that chaplain care giving and support groups are available to anyone in need, regardless of church affiliation. In addition to these groups, Jenny oversees various prayer groups and senior ministries. If you are interested in participating in care groups or in serving in the Congregational Care ministry, please contact Jenny Smith at 501-217-6756 or email her at jenny@stjameslr.org. Grief Support GroupThe second Wednesday of each month, 4:00-5:00pm
Perkins Conference Room This is a safe place where you can share and receive comfort knowing that you are not alone on your grief journey. Please contact Jenny Smith at 501 217-6756 or jenny@stjameslr.org Alcoholics AnonymousTAPROOT - Women’s AA
Meets every Monday and Friday in Peck Building, Room 101 at 5:45pm. Contact Sharon Brogden at 501-247-5090 STERLING - Men’s AA Meets every Thursday in Peck Building, Room 101. Contact Gary Fryer at 501-231-4913 or Andrew Stephens at 501-831-1811. |
Community of Hope Chaplains
Community of Hope Chaplains are trained lay volunteers who use their gifts and graces to be the ultimate partner in ministry with the clergy and staff. With this training they will be empowered to make hospital, home bound and nursing home visits, telephone persons in need of contact, meet one-on-one with persons in need of a listening ear for prayer and encouragement, offer support to grieving families and proactively seek to encourage and care for persons in need. The St. James model of congregational care is built on an active pastoral-staff-lay partnership. As a large church, St.James follows the biblical model of congregational care giving, supports the ministry gifts of trained servant disciples. To receive a hospital or home bound visit from a trained and commissioned Chaplain, please contact Director of Congregational Care Jenny Smith at 501-217-6756 or jenny@stjameslr.org.
For a full description of the curriculum, please visit www.cohinternational.org. To apply for the Community of Hope Ministry, contact Jenny Smith at 217-6756 or email her at jenny@stjameslr.org. Click here for the printed application form for Community of Hope. Caring Hands Prayer Shawl MinistryMondays, 1:00-3:00pm, Hamra Library
If you are interested in learning to knit, crochet or fringe you are invited to join this group. The yarn is blessed and the shawls are prayed over before they are to be given out. Many people have been comforted when receiving a shawl during difficult times. Also, scarves are being made to provide warmth this winter to the homeless through our Under the Bridge ministry. Contact Jenny Smith at 501-217-6756. Hi-Note Card MinistrySecond & Fourth Wednesday, 1:00pm, Hamra Library
Cards are sent to those in our congregation as a reminder that they are being thought of and that St. James cares about them. Anyone interested in becoming a part of this ministry please contact Susie Branon at 501-413-1767 or Jenny Smith at 501-217-6756 for more information. |