CARE + SUPPORT
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Congregational Care
Support Groups
Stephen Ministry
Pastoral Care
Spiritual Counseling
Mental Health
Congregational Care
Support Through Hardship
We offer support in daily living and at times of crisis. It is our hope that we can be helpful in walking with you through the difficult task of making sense of life’s challenges and finding a way forward.
Hospital Visits
When you or a loved one are at your most vulnerable, we want to be a place where you can turn for support. Whether you are already in the hospital or if you know in advance about an upcoming procedure, we want to help.
Spiritual Guidance
When you need help on your spiritual journey, we're here for you. Every journey worth taking will have questions and doubt. We welcome skeptics, outcasts, and the excluded. All are welcome and have a home here.
Referrals
While we desire to be there for you during all parts of your life, sometimes other professionals might be better equipped to meet your needs. We have a trusted network of providers and will do our best to connect you with the appropriate services.
Support Groups
Alzheimer's Care
The Alzheimer's Association is sponsoring in-person sessions for caregivers who are caring for someone in the early stages of the Alzheimer's disease as well as individuals with the disease. There are separate meetings with trained facilitators for caregivers and individuals with the disease. For more information, please call the Alzheimer's Association at 210-822-6449.
National Alliance for Mental Illness
| LEADER: | Ed & Jackie Dickey |
| DAY: | 3rd Thursdays |
| TIME: | 9 a.m. & 7 p.m. |
| LOCATION: | W105 |
This group is for those who are dealing with loved ones with mental illness. Members learn how to advocate for those with mental illness as well as to care for themselves. No cost. For 9 a.m. ZOOM information and questions, call 210-602-2483.
YOPD Support Group
| LEADER: | Diane Renz |
| DAY: | 3rd Saturdays |
| TIME: | 10 a.m. |
| LOCATION: | W100 / 101 |
Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease occurs in people age 50 or younger and affects less than ten percent of the one million people with Parkinson’s in the U.S. Our group meets the third Saturday of each month in room the Seminar Room W100/101. Guest speakers are invited to share information about how to live healthier and more active lives on our journey with Parkinson’s. If you are interested in learning more, please join us.
Grief Support Group for Men
| LEADER: | Molly O'Phelan |
| DAY: | Mondays |
| TIME: | 1 - 2:30 p.m. |
| LOCATION: | W100 / 101 |
Facilitated by Porter Loring Bereavement Coordinator Molly O'Phelan PhD, RN, LMFT, this group of men 65 and older, invite you to join them for support and fellowship as you grieve the loss of your wife. This ongoing group will focus on the different characteristics grieving men share, including, coping with loneliness. It is a place to honor your wife while moving towards a renewed and meaningful life. For more information, call 210-227-8221.
Grief Support Group for Women
| LEADER: | Molly O'Phelan |
| DAY: | Mondays |
| TIME: | 10 - 11:30 a.m. |
| LOCATION: | W100 / 101 |
Facilitated by Porter Loring Bereavement Coordinator Molly O'Phelan PhD, RN, LMFT, this group is open to women 60 and older who have lost a husband and would like to join with other women in a journey of sharing, comfort and healing. “Women in Grief” will provide you a safe place to explore the roots of your grief, learn ways to express and cope with it, and move on to a more refreshed and renewed life when you are ready. For more information, call 210-227-8221.
Forever Loved Grief Support
| LEADER: | Molly O'Phelan |
| DAY: | Tuesdays |
| TIME: | 7 - 8:30 p.m. |
| LOCATION: | S107 |
A very special group for parents who have lost a child of any age (child or adult). Facilitated by Porter Loring Bereavement Coordinator Molly O'Phelan PhD, RN, LMFT, this open group welcomes any parent seeking support through this tender and powerful time. Members of the group work hard to honor their sorrow, and at the same time, discover hope and meaning in their lives. For more information, call 210-227-8221.
Code You: Spiritual Care for Healthcare Providers
| LEADERS: | Phyllis Morton, Tamara Ramirez |
| DAY: | varies |
| TIME: | varies |
| LOCATION: | varies |
The wholistic leadership course provides education, tools, and support needed for empowering nursing leaders to resuscitate and strengthen the heart and soul of their teams from the inside out. The course utilizes Spiritual Practices for soul care. This is a six week course that will also provide 15 hours of continuing education necessary for RN license renewal. For more information, contact us or visit codeyou.info.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is a support ministry for people who are hurting.
Meet with a Stephen Minister
If you would like to meet with a Stephen Minister, please call 210-826-3215 or complete this form and a referral coordinator will contact you to match you with a Stephen Minister.
Stephen Ministers are extensively trained lay people that provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people going through difficult times.
Stephen Ministers are not counselors or therapists. They are sometimes referred to as “AFTER" people.
AFTER friends have heard your story one too many times
AFTER divorce papers are served
AFTER a doctor says, “There’s nothing more we can do.”
Pastoral Care
Our pastors are here to help you through difficult times by providing holistic care and an ear to listen.
Click on any pastor below to contact us.
Spiritual Counseling
John and Priscilla MacDougall have decades of experience in spiritual counseling. Both John and Priscilla are graduates of Princeton Theological Seminary and retired United Methodist Ministers.
Priscilla received her master's degree from the Alfred Adler Graduate School, was licensed as a Marriage and Family Counselor, and had a private practice.
John received a doctorate from Drew Theological School in a program of Family Therapy. John was later trained as a chemical dependency counselor and served as the Director of Spiritual Care in two recovery facilities.
The MacDougall’s volunteer their services for Spiritual Counseling to our community. With their wealth of experience in church ministry and in counseling settings, they are a tremendous gift to our church.
Mental Health
AHUMC Family Mental Health support group meets every third Thursday of the month from 9-11 a.m. in W105. No pre-registration is necessary and there is no cost to attend.
Members learn how to manage and better advocate for their friend or family member and to care for themselves. Information about local services is also provided.
Topics discussed relate to adult services as well as support for children whose families may be struggling.
LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP
I give you a new command:
Love each other deeply and fully.
Remember the ways that I have loved you,
and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways.
John 13:34
THE NEW HAPPY on "Connection"
One of the leading researchers in loneliness, John Cacioppo, argued that loneliness is like an emotional hunger cue:
Our stomachs growl with hunger when they need food.
Our hearts growl with loneliness when they need connection.
There are a lot of myths about loneliness. We tend to associate it with things like being shy, isolated, elderly, or single. But studies have found that these do not cause loneliness.
Loneliness arises in tandem with real-life difficult situations: you're significantly more likely to be lonely if you're dealing with tough challenges like medical issues, depression, or unemployment. We all need to feel like there are people 'in it' with us. When we don't, our hearts growl for connection, love and support.
If your heart is growling, there's one surprising tool that can make a big difference: reach out and help someone else. Think about another person in your life who is dealing with a big challenge. Can you reach out and try to connect with them? In doing so, you can not only alleviate your loneliness, but theirs, too.