Congregational Care

In our Pastoral Care program, we offer Visitation and Counseling services.

Visitation: If you or a loved one needs a personal visit, Michelle Stephenson can coordinate a visit at the hospital, convalescent care, or your home for prayer and ministry.

Counseling: All of our pastors are equipped to provide pastoral care, counseling, and spiritual guidance. You can reach out to any pastor for support. Each pastor is ready to listen to your needs and can help coordinate care or connect you with professional counselors and therapists as necessary. To schedule an appointment with a specific pastor, please contact their administrative assistant.

To notify the church of hospitalizations and/or other pastoral care needs, contact Michelle Stephenson, Administrative Assistant for Congregational Care, 210-226-0215, ext. 260.

Note: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) helps protect patient confidentiality. We comply with HIPAA Federal regulations that require this protection.

Deacons seek to ensure an expression of Christian compassion for all our members. They are specifically charged with caring for and ministering to those who are sick, in need, friendless or in distress. The Office of Deacon is a Call to Personal Ministry focused on providing Spiritual Care to individual church members in need. Deacons build relationships through visits, calls, and letters, offering support by praying together, listening, helping to express feelings, and maintaining boundaries and confidentiality.

Deacons provide Spiritual Care through various activities:

• Conducting home visits, sending notes, and making monthly visits
• Offering support to those grieving the loss of a loved one
• Visiting church members in hospitals or rehabilitation facilities
• Praying with members after worship services
• Delivering seasonal flowers to members
• Participating in a calling ministry to check in on church families
• Praying for Care Recipients and the church's needs

Deacons may also provide care to the congregation by:

• Serving communion during worship
• Providing home communion 
• Serving as a worship liturgist
• Praying with ministers before worship
• Taking available plants and prayer shawls to offer comfort and support

View Deacon Leadership

Carrie Everson recently led the Deacons in an inspiring training session focused on praying with others. They are eager to incorporate these teachings into their ministry; engaging in heartfelt prayers with the ministers and after worship prayer, during home visits, and in every aspect of church life. The Deacons know that prayer is a vital aspect and blessing of life in the Christian community, and would love to pray alongside you. If you have specific prayer requests, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let them know. You can share prayer requests with Tom Benke or join a Deacon during after-worship prayer.

Danielle Couch
Tom Benke
Board of Deacons
First Presbyterian Church

Care and Concern is an email list within our congregation that provides personalized information for congregational care and prayer. To join this email list, please contact Michelle Stephenson at 210-226-0215 ext. 260 to request subscription. Please note that the Care Ministry staff and pastors may edit or remove details to maintain privacy and respect for those sharing prayer requests. Join us in supporting and praying for one another in our church community through Care and Concern.

Stephen Ministry is a Christian ministry rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is named after Stephen, the first Christian martyr who followed Christ's command to spread the Gospel.

How It Works: Stephen Ministry has been a vital part of our church community for years. A volunteer caregiver is matched with a church member seeking support for various needs, such as companionship, prayer during illness, or guidance through tough life situations like loss or divorce. Stephen Ministers provide care based on gender, with women ministers assisting women and men ministers helping men. The ministry is confidential, focusing on listening, supporting, and connecting care receivers with resources. Stephen Ministers typically meet with their care receiver once a week.

Get Involved: The Stephen Leaders of First Presbyterian Church welcome anyone interested in serving as a Stephen Minister to consider this important opportunity. It can be a meaningful way to serve the teachings of Christ. Please contact Michelle Stephenson at 210-271-2760 for more information.