As long as I can remember, I have been a helper. In school, I helped the teacher pass out papers. In sixth grade, I was a Bus Patrol who helped the bus driver keep active school children behaving well and staying safe. In college, I helped form an Al-anon support group and the Feminist Caucus. These and other experiences led me to become a Head Resident in one of the residence halls the year after I graduated at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. It would be easy to assume that I have a natural ability to see a need and fill it. Actually, it is so much more than that.
To whom much is given, much is expected is a value that solidified during my college years. Service is gratitude in action. I have been so blessed throughout my life and I want to pay it forward as much as I can and when I can. This is one of the reasons that I agreed to be the Ministry Area Coordinator (MAC) for the CARE Team at Lord of Life.
What is the CARE Team? First of all, what does CARE stand for? Until recently, the acronym did not have any meaning! It now stands for Care And Recovery for Everyone (CARE)!
The CARE Team is responsible for a variety of ministry efforts to care for our members and those in the community:
Helping Hands Ministry is a list of volunteers who are willing to provide a meal, a specific food dish for a church event, or to drive someone to an appointment. Usually, a CARE team member will send out a Sign-Up Genius or email to share current CARE requests. Helping Hands members may or may not be able to help on each request and that is okay.
Recovery Groups are included under the CARE team and currently include AA, Al-Anon, and the Big Book support groups. If you are interested in starting a new support group, please contact
Stephen Ministry is a one-to-one Christian-centered care ministry for adults who are going through a difficult time such as grief, divorce, job loss, or other major life transitions. A Stephen Minister meets once a week for one hour to listen to and support the person having a difficult time. No one need suffer alone. Stephen Ministers are here to walk with you through the valleys in life.
Funeral Lunch Team is a group of folks who assist the grieving family by supplying a luncheon after the funeral at our church. This is a sacred time that provides grieving family and friends an opportunity to tell stories and comfort each other in a safe space. The Helping Hands Ministry is asked to supply side dishes and desserts for the luncheon.
CARE bags for folks in need contain non-perishable foods and toiletry items. The CARE bags are used by the LOL staff when folks in need are asking for help. Cara and Pastor Lowell passed out three bags this week!
Mini CARE bags are being assembled currently for members to take with them in their cars and to hand out to folks in need. A smaller amount of perishable foods and toiletry items are in a gallon-sized bag and can easily be handed out a car window.
Are you ready to jump in and be part of the Care team? Please contact Ava at
Yours in Christ,
Ava Fiebig