Our Devotion to God's Ministry of service to the saints of the church is a blessing to others, but most definately a blessing to us as individuals. A Caring Heart is a sensitive heart to the needs of others, a loving heart to bring cheer and a brighter day to the ones we visit, and a happy heart to share a smile with the ones in our care.

Shut-In and Nursing Home care is a ministry of Weddington Church to offer Christ's love, nurture and support to those who are unable to be active participants in the congregation due to incapacities of old age or other infirmaties that confine them to their homes and Nursing/Adult Care facilities.

Persons involved in the ministry of care should endeavor to:

• Make weekly phone calls.
• Make monthly home visits, more if your time permits.
• Give prayer support.
• Attend special events (birthdays, anniversaries, etc., if available).
• Follow up with Caring Heart families after the death of a Caring Heart as needed. A six month period is suggested.
• Invite Reverend Ed Briggs to serve communion or meet special needs if desired or contact your team leader to make this request.
• Promptly report to Reverend Ed Briggs any special needs, illness, hospitalizations, or deaths.
• Please be prepared to report the number of visits you've made to your team leader quarterly.
• Enjoy serving the Lord in this ministry. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

• Pray for God's leadership and guidance before you visit.
• Come to each visit with an open agenda. If possible, allow the person to guide the conversation.
• Be cheerful and positive. You may encounter smells and sounds, expecially in nursing homes, that are unpleasant. Keep smiling.
• Assess the situation and stay an appropriate length of time. If the person is not feeling well share you sympathy, offer prayer, and thank them for the opportunity to visit with them.
• If the conversation falters, ask them about their history stories. (How long have you been a member of WUMC? How long were you married? Children? etc.)
• Remember, older persons tire quickly. When you sense it's time to leave, thank them for the opportunity to visit, offer prayer and say goodbye.