A good church is there when you need church. We love one another, and so we show kindness and offer hospitality. Whether facing a serious illness, the grief of losing a loved one, the joy of a new baby, the challenges of aging, or the stresses of daily living, caring for each other at these times is what the Congregational Care Ministries is all about.

Second Church provides a variety of resources for members in need. Our programs include personal visits, addressing immediate care needs, providing emotional support and counseling when needed, and uplifting members in prayer. But the "care" is not in the program. It is through the people who do the caring.

Rev. Doug Slagle coordinates all of our caring ministries. If you would like to talk to a pastor, call the church at 895-3483, and ask for Doug or David.

You can make a prayer request to a pastor, prayer team, or for the congregational care prayer list. Just click here .

Care Teams

Stephen Ministry - We have over 100 trained Stephen Ministers in our congregation dedicated to providing one-on-one in depth caring for those individuals who request help. The Stephen Ministers are not professional counselors but trained friends in a time of need. They provide supporting, trusting personal relationships and all in the context of complete confidentiality. For more information about this program or to request a Stephen Minister, please contact Laurie Dieboldat 897-9147 or Doug Slagle at 895-3843.

Immediate Care Team - This team oversees such needs as providing food to members just home from the hospital, providing transportation for those who can no longer drive, delivering flowers to members whoare hospitalized or in nursing homes, sending cards of encouragementand support, and addressing any other immediate needs that arise.

Second Friends - Some of our most dedicated members can nolonger participate in worship and other activities due to age and physical limitations. Through Second Friends, we bring the church to them! This team regularly visits our members who are homebound or innursing homes. They, together with the Presbyterian Women, providecompanionship, caring, and connection with the church.

Prayer Chain - The prayer chain performs a quiet but powerful ministry at Second Church. A group of individuals pray daily for thosemembers of our church family who we know have a particular concern orare facing a difficult time. Once the church staff knows about aspecific situation, they contact the coordinator of the Prayer Chainand this dedicated group goes into action uplifting the concerns to Godin prayer.

Health Ministries - This team promotes wholeness. They providehealth screenings for our members such as blood pressure checks andglaucoma screenings, educate the congregation on health-related issues,and advocate healthy life style choices. The Health Ministries team also has formed partnerships in the community and has sponsored suchprograms as "Second Shots" that enabled inner city children to be screened for health problems and immunized - many for the first time. Additionally, this team is networking with other health organizationsand denominations to expand the services offered within ourcongregation and other faith communities.