Support Groups
Supporting People with Specific Needs (Please scroll down for a listing of all of our support groups)
Fear not for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. Isaiah 41:10
Care Ministry is part of our Deacon's Ministry. This ministry provides a ring of supportive love and care around around an individual who finds him/herself in a time of crisis, challenge, and/or heartache.
All Care Group Leaders and Stephen Ministers have received extensive and on-going training. The leader of each Care Ministry has walked through the specific crisis in which s/he serves, and having found Christ's love, compassion and direction out of his/her pain, to grow into serving others through His grace and guidance.
While the Care Group Leaders and Stephen Ministers have had training, all care giving is non-professional, thus we do not counsel nor offer any type of professional guidance. Our purpose is solely to care, not to cure, with strict confidentiality, and in a distinctively Christian foundation.
In Care Ministry, the groups are small:
* One-to-one in Stephen Ministry , Spiritual Direction and Healing & Help for Abused Women
* Three-to-ten in Care Groups
In all Care Ministry Groups, the participants make a covenant to confidentiality, purpose, and participation. The Care Groups listed below represent those that have been requested thus far. If you would like to see a new Care Group established -- or if you are called to facilitate a Care Group -- contact the church office at 343-1484.
As we go through difficult life experiences, it is important to not journey alone.
Celebrate Recovery®
A 12 step recovery program based on 8 principles from the Beatitudes. Support for alcoholism, divorce, sexual abuse, codependency, domestic violence, drug addiction, sexual addiction, food addiction, gambling addiction, anger, financial issues. The purpose of Celebrate Recovery is to encourage fellowship and to celebrate God's healing power in our lives as we work our way along the road to recovery. We are changed as we share our experiences, strengths, and hopes with one another. In addition, we become willing to accept God's grace and forgiveness in solving our life's problems.
We meet every Sunday, 5:00-7:00 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall (bottom floor) at Bidwell Presbyterian Church, 208 W. 1st Street. Registration is not required. Drop in any time.
Grief Share®
Talking with others is a healing ingredient in the journey of grief. If you or a friend are experiencing an unusual struggle with a loss that is six months old or more, consider attending this Christian based class. A 13 week series is offered at Bidwell Presbyterian Church twice each year: fall and spring. Classes are held on Monday evenings @ 6:30 p.m. Winter Session dates: February 20-May 21, 2012.
Each meeting will center around a professionally produced DVD, group discussion, and workbook assignments and notes. There is $18 fee for the workbook. Please call ahead to register. Contact Valerie Bowlby for further information, or if you need immediate one-on-one support.
"A Season of Grief" Daily Emails: When a loved one or friend dies, grieving that loss can take a long time, but you are not alone. GriefShare now offers daily emails that provide encouragement and reminders of the recovery process. Interested? To sign up visit www.griefshare.org/dailyemails/
Valerie Bowlby, vbowlby@digitalpath.net Home: 891-0706
DivorceCare ®
DivorceCare is a 13 week course that meets at Bidwell Presbyterian church on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm through November 16, 2011. The winter term will begin Wednesday, January 11, 2012. This Christian-based program (small care group of 5-15 participants) is open to any person who has experienced or is experiencing divorce or separation. This is a confidential, grace-filled environment for individuals who wish to find help. Discover hope and experience support and tools for growing through this difficult journey. Drop in at any point. There is a $18 fee for the DivorceCare workbook. Free childcare will be provided.
Larry & Karen Wasson, kthurn@yahoo.com
DivorceCare4Kids ™
"Divorce Care for Kids is a special group to help children heal from the hurt caused by the separation or divorce of their parents. At our weekly CD4K group, kids make friends with other kids who understand how they feel . Sessions include games, activities, role playing, discussion times and activity handouts that help children process the divorce and move forward in their lives.. Best of all, children will learn how God’s love can strengthen them and help turn tears to hope and joy! Designed for children ages 5-12. Be watching this site for future dates for this workshop. There is an $18 fee for the DivorceCare4Kids workbook material. To register, or learn more about this program, please contact our church office, 343-1484, ext. 113.
Stephen Ministry ®
Are you going through a difficult situation? Regardless of the issue: illness, divorce, grief, loss of job, discouragement in faith--a Stephen Minister can walk alongside you, in a completely confidential, distinctively Christian relationship. Stephen Ministers are nonprofessional lay ministers who have received 50 hours of training. This care ministry relationship can last from one meeting, to however long you determine the need.
Lizanne Leach, lleach@csuchico.edu Home: 345-4240
Parent's Loving Memories
Meet with other parents who've experienced one of life's greatest losses, the death of a child (of any age, from any cause). Share with others who mourn their child's passing, who want to continue healing and eventually journey towards a "new normal" as their world begins to be recreated and ever so slowly expanded. Death ends life on earth, but a parent's love continues always, living fiercely on throughout eternity. Explore together some positive, healthy ways to express this forever love.
Pam Wear at 342-8744 or Mary Dalton at 893-3958
The Journey with Aging: Spouses or Parents
Suddenly, we find that we have become the parent of our parent: making critical decisions and dealing with their care giving. Or, the spouse we grew through life with is no longer the same person...Alzheimer's, another form of dementia, or another debilitating disease has stolen his/her personality. Either situation is demanding, uncertain and often requires care giving 24 hours, seven days a week.
To explore resources and find ways to cope during this difficult journey, Journey With Aging are two separate ongoing small care groups, meeting/once a month. Journey with Aging Parent meets every second Tuesday, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at BPC in Room 112. For the Journey With Aging Spouse group meeting day/time, please contact Cindy Young.
Cindy Young, rhsyoung@comcast.net Home: 876-1482
Serving Communion to Homebound Friends
On Communion Sundays, we bring communion to those who can no longer come to the church building for worship services but wish to celebrate this holy sacrament.
Herman & Bea Gray, akugray@saber.net Home: 893-9714