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We provide a ministry of presence. Through trained lay people and staff, the Pastoral Care Ministry, under the direction of Dr. Alan Lobaugh, Senior Associate Minister, offers several opportunities to help people through life’s joys and sorrows.
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A Caring Place
The key element in our Pastoral Care Ministry is communication. If you know of someone who could benefit from these ministries, or if you would like to give your time and energy by becoming a trained volunteer in one or more of these areas, please call 817.926.6631 or email Jennifer Cricchio, the Pastoral Care Ministry Assistant.
Parish Nurses
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The Parish Nursing Ministry consists of a group of registered nurses whose purpose is to encourage every member of our congregation to live a more healthy lifestyle physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. They offer weekly blood pressure screenings, two blood drives yearly, a flu shot clinic, and health counseling. They provide workshops, lectures, and health fairs which provide information, health assessments, and suggestions for weight and disease prevention. Making appropriate choices can promote a wholeness of body, mind, and spirit. Please call the Pastoral Care Office 817.926.6631 or you may email the Parish Nurses at Nurses@uccftw.com.
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Stephen Ministry
There are times when the journey through life is difficult at best. At those times it is often helpful for a Christian friend to make that journey with you. |
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It could be a significant loss like the death of a loved one, a change in vocation, a youngster leaving for college, a divorce, the onset of an illness.
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A trained Stephen Minister is available upon request. This person will meet with you often during the course of your situation, to help you through the difficult time. If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, we offer an eight week course once a year to train individuals in listening, referral and other skills necessary to help those in need. The volunteer is required to give a commitment of two years to this program.
 More information regarding the Stephen Ministry
Church Friends |
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If you are or one of your loved ones is limited in mobility and interaction with the church family been affected, the Church Friends of UCC are eager to reach out in loving, caring ways.
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Church Friends make contact with these homebound and home centered people at least once a month and provide some connection with the church family. Contact the Pastoral Care Office to make us aware of your situation.
Grief, Divorce and other Support Groups
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 We also offer support groups for individuals who find themselves in transitions due to divorce, loss of a loved one, job changes and other factors. In our journey through life, things can happen that change our course – sometimes suddenly, sometimes over a period of time. When we have been expecting the pathway to be straight, a jog, right turn or complete turn-around can be difficult to adjust to. If you have experienced the death of a loved one, a divorce, loss of a job, or any other life-changing event, check the calendar for upcoming group sessions with Alan Lobaugh or call the Pastoral Care office for more information.
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Hospitalization
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There are times in almost everyone's life when a trip to the hospital occurs. Our staff of hospital callers, both lay and clergy, are poised to be supportive of your hospital stay in any way we can. Because hospital stays are very brief these days, it is important to let us know immediately if a loved one or friend is hospitalized.
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After the Hospital Stay is Over
A member who has been hospitalized for several days has received a great deal of attention from the church. But there are still needs once an individual returns home. The Post Hospital Calling Committee makes contact via telephone "visits" to persons recently dismissed from the hospital, inquiring about any further assistance the church can provide, such as referrals to a Parish Nurse if additional care is needed. If you have an interest in becoming a part of this important telephone committee, please contact the Pastoral Care Office.
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When a Loved One Dies |
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Our ministerial staff is available to provide assistance during your time of loss. You may call the church, day or night. If after business hours, follow the prompts to leave a message and thus inform us of your situation. A minister will return your call promptly when paged in this manner.
The church is available for funerals and memorial services. We will work with you to honor your loved one and walk with you through this process. You are welcome to make your funeral wishes known to us ahead of time. There are forms in the Pastoral Care Office to fill out with hymn and scripture selections as well as other choices you would like to make.
The church has an outdoor garden for the spreading of ashes, and a columbarium near the chapel for an indoor space to place the remains of a loved one.
If you would like more information on the options University Christian Church offers for funerals and memorial services, please contact Jennifer Cricchio, in the Pastoral Care Office.
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The Pastoral Care Office is open
Monday-Thursday,
8:30a.m. to 5 p.m.;
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Emergency Care
When the office is closed, you may call the church at 817.926.6631, and follow the instructions (press one and at the prompt, leave a message) to leave a message for our ministers on call. They will be paged and respond to your need.
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