Caring Ministries

Zionsville UMC offers several support ministries to provide care and encouragement during difficult times:

  • Stephen Ministry: Trained lay caregivers offer confidential, one-on-one Christian support for those facing challenges like grief, illness, or job loss.

  • Caregiver Support Group: A space for caregivers to share experiences and receive support, shaped by participant feedback.

  • NAMI Support Group: A monthly meeting for parents and guardians of children with behavioral and mental health challenges.

  • GriefShare: A 13-week faith-based grief support program that helps individuals navigate the loss of a loved one.

Stephen Ministry

What Is Stephen Ministry? 

Stephen Ministers are there to care as you are going through a difficult time—physically, emotionally, spiritually, or relationally. Stephen Ministers are trained caregivers, ready to listen and encourage you, pray with and for you, and provide confidential one-to-one Christian care. Stephen Ministers provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care and support to people experiencing grief, divorce, cancer, job loss, loneliness, disability, relocation, and other difficult life circumstances.

ZUMC is one of more than 13,000 congregations from more than 180 Christian denominations that now have Stephen Ministry. Over 600,000 people have been trained as Stephen Ministers, a number that grows by tens of thousands each year. More than one-and-a-half million people across the United States, Canada, and the world have been touched by God’s love through a Stephen Minister. Through all these people—including our own 22 Stephen Ministers and their care receivers—the story of Stephen Ministry continues.

Important Notes

  1. Stephen Ministers are not counselors. They are trained to be lay Christian caregivers. Their role is to listen and care, not to counsel or advise.

  2. Stephen Ministry is a supervised ministry. Stephen Ministers engage in twice-monthly supervision, led by their Stephen Leaders, to ensure that they are providing the best Christian care they can.

  3. Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry. What a care receiver tells a Stephen Minister stays between the two of them. Even in supervision, the names of care receivers and specific details are never discussed.

If you think you might be interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, or feel you would benefit from having a Stephen Minister, please contact Kim King at kking@zumc.org.

Additional information about Stephen Ministry is available at stephenministries.org

Caregiver Support Group

Caring for a loved one can be both a meaningful and challenging journey, and we recognize the importance of having a supportive community along the way. To ensure that our caregiver support groups truly reflect the real needs and lived experiences of those providing care, we invite you to participate in a brief survey. Your insights will help shape the structure, topics, and resources offered in these groups, ensuring they provide meaningful support and encouragement. Whether you are currently a caregiver or have been in the past, your voice matters. Please take a few moments to share your thoughts and needs with us—we want to walk this journey with you.

Take the Survey

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

The National Alliance on Mental Illness and ZUMC are teaming up to provide a monthly support group at the church. Please use Entrance Door #2. This group meets every third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm. Facilitators: Anne Foster, Marilynn Berry-Stamm RN, BSW. The NAMI Parent Support Group is a free, confidential, and safe group for parents, caregivers, and guardians of minor children living with behavioral difficulties and mental health challenges. This group is open to all over 18 years of age. For questions, call or text Marilynn at 317-432-6332 or email hapycmprmg@aol.com

Leader: Marilyn Berry-Stamm
When: 6:30pm
Where: Church

GriefShare

What is GriefShare?

GriefShare is a support group program that offers a safe and confidential environment for individuals who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The program is based on a 13-week video series featuring grief recovery experts and real-life stories of people who have experienced loss. Each session includes a video presentation, group discussion, and personal study and reflection.

Who can attend GriefShare?
GriefShare is open to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one, regardless of their religious beliefs or affiliations. The program is designed for individuals who are grieving the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or other close relative or friend.

How does GriefShare help with grief recovery?
GriefShare provides a structured program that helps individuals understand the grief process and move through it in a healthy way. The program focuses on providing emotional support, education, and spiritual guidance to help individuals cope with their loss. Participants learn practical strategies for dealing with grief, such as journaling, prayer, and meditation, and have the opportunity to share their experiences and feelings with others who are going through similar struggles.

How is GriefShare different from other grief support groups?
GriefShare is unique in its faith-based approach to grief recovery. The program is grounded in Christian principles and teaches that God can provide comfort and healing during times of grief. However, the program is open to people of all faiths, and participants are encouraged to share their own beliefs and experiences.

Zionsville UMC’s Next GriefShare Group

Zionsville UMC will host a GriefShare group beginning March 19 - June 11 (weekly) from 6:30-8:00pm here at the church. Join the Group

Other GriefShare Groups

You can find a GriefShare group near you by visiting the organization's website (www.griefshare.org) and entering your zip code in the Find a Group search bar. The website will provide a list of nearby groups, including the meeting times, locations, and contact information. 

Questions? Please email griefshare@zumc.org.