The Caring Ministries of Saint Joseph United Methodist Church encompasses the very essence of life today. Our focus is on people. We want to assist each person in making life choices that will allow for the best life that can possibly be for everyone involved.

As a congregation, we strive to share the Heart of God through providing opportunities for meaningful self discovery and growth. We also seek ways to provide the sharing of one another’s joys and hardships and sorrows. We want to share Christ though caring.

The growth of our spirits most often comes in the struggles of our lives. No one ever needs to face the unknown alone. At Saint Joseph we offer Faith and Hope in God through Jesus. We offer an environment to build your life with the tools to shape your life into all that God intends it to be.

Good Grief Support Group meets each Tuesday evening to provide a “safe“ place to share feelings concerning the death of someone you love. The meeting is held at 6:30pm in room F10..

PrayerLink is an email prayer chain which allows those who want to pray for others to receive up to the minute information about prayer requests. PrayerLinks are sent to those who have pre-registered their email address by sending an email with "PrayerLink" in the subject area, to the Caring Ministries Office at prayers@stjoemin.com.

The Memorial Prayer Chapel is open to the public daily. With colors of earth and sky, and a glass altar, stained glass window and textured glass panel door, this small private room is perfect for private meditation and prayer.

Want to be remembered in prayer or have a prayer concern? Send your prayer request by email to: prayers@stjoemin.com, call 1-260-485-9681, or mail to Saint Joseph UMC, Care Of: Caring Ministries, 6004 Reed Road, Fort Wayne IN 46835. There are also “Prayer Boxes” in four locations throughout the church. Simply compete a prayer card and put it in the prayer box.

Dozens of trained volunteers provide encouragement and prayer as they visit those who are ill in area hospitals.

If you are in need of a visit, or wish to participant in the next hospital visitation training event so that you may volunteer to make visits, please contact the Caring Ministries at 1-260-485-9681, or mail to Saint Joseph UMC, Care Of: Caring Ministriess, 6004 Reed Road, Fort Wayne IN 46835.

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministers are the “After People”. They are there:
…after the phone call you hoped you’d never get.
…after the divorce papers are served and the bottom falls out of your life.
…after the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you.
…after the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing more we can do.”
…after the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, “Welcome to your new home.”
…after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away – and the house suddenly seems empty.
…after the gavel goes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away.
…after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible.
…after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck.
…after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.

These caring lay people provide confidential one-to-one Christian care to individuals who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. They are ready to come alongside you or your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives and provide comfort and support for as long after as needed. Each Stephen Minister receives more than 50 hours of training in care giving, and each is carefully and prayerfully selected. We praise God for all that He is doing through these compassionate ministers. If you want to find out more about the program or process, contact Colleen Zurcher-McGauran at 485-5466 or Brad Foster at 485-9681 x 13, bfoster@stjoemin.com.