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.

Support Group Ministries

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.

Divorce Care is a ministry that supports those who have been affected by the process of divorce. This is not a group that assists with divorce, but rather a group that will support you as you work through the feelings of divorce. This group meets in room F11 on Tuesday evenings at 7pm.Ther is no fee unless you purchase a workbook (optional).

Fibromyalgia Support Group is a monthly support group for those dealing with the physical conditions of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and related conditions. This group meets without a fee to participants in room F10 the second Tuesday of each month at 3pm.

Perinatal Support Group was featured in the News Sentinel recently and hopefully each of you were able to read the stories shared. This group is a combined effort of SJUMC and Parkview Hospital to assist the mourning and grief of parents who have had a baby die prior to taking the child home from the hospital. Reasons for this type of loss vary and may come in the form of miscarriage, stillbirth or Neonatal Intensive Care losses. In the article Jennifer Boen of the Fort Wayne Newspapers interviews two families that have been involved in the group due to the passing of their children. You are invited to: read a copy of the article that is posted in the narthex, pray for the families involved in the group and invited those you might know who have recently had a baby die to participate in the group. The group meets the second and fourth Thursdays at 7pm at the Women’s Health Center at Parkview North.

PrayerCare Ministries

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 lmartin@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: lmartin@stjoemin.com, call 1-260-485-9681 x 11, or mail to Saint Joseph UMC, Care Of: Caring Ministries, 6004 Reed Road, Fort Wayne IN 46835.

Ministry to the Hospitalized

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 through lmartin@stjoemin.com, call 1-260-485-9681 x 11, or mail to Saint Joseph UMC, Care Of: Caring Ministriess, 6004 Reed Road, Fort Wayne IN 46835.