Mental Health

Stephen Ministers from First United Methodist Church of Haddonfield, N.J., discuss how to share and use information gained during a celebration and learning event for the ecumenical ministry Sept. 26. While the church has 17 active Stephen Ministers and two supervisory Stephen Leaders, it hopes to recruit more to meet growing needs in its community. From left are Dan Gendron, Michael Persons, Betty Jo Zeno, Bud DelCamp and Stephen Ministry Co-Leader Lou Schopfer. Gendron joined the ministry after appreciating the care his late wife received from a Stephen Minister. Photo by John W. Coleman, UM News.

Stephen Ministries marks 50 years of training caregivers

The ecumenical ministry is hosting nationwide training events to equip church members, including United Methodists, to provide one-on-one support to people facing life’s challenges.

Church Leadership

Religious trauma affects clergy too

Pastors can experience trauma in local church settings as well as in the larger denominational system.

Global Health

Doug Yetter (left), director of music at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach, Del., accompanies the Parkinson’s Education and Support Group of Sussex County Choir during its performance April 10 at the church. Keeping active though singing and other physical activity can hold off progression of the disease. Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News.

Joy of singing aids people with Parkinson’s

At Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, there’s a new choir in town. It offers people with Parkinson’s disease tools to cope, including music and community.

Global Health

Tim’s Place offers a safe, welcoming space for persons with memory loss and trained volunteers to build community together. Photo by Tim's Place, courtesy of the Pacific Northwest Conference.

Church helps families dealing with dementia

Trinity United Methodist Church started Tim’s Place to provide support for individuals with memory loss and time for their caregivers to recharge. The ministry was “a dream to help overwhelmed caregivers have some respite from their daily duties,” said program director Rhonda Heyn. Patrick Scriven has the story.

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