Caregivers come in many different shapes, sizes and from a wide variety of experiences. Maybe you are walking with a loved one as they battle a life-threatening illness. Some caregivers continue to walk alongside a spouse as they slowly slip into the depths of dementia. There are still others who are working to manage family, in-laws, illness and find they are the one who everyone turns to for “answers”.
No matter the journey one truth rings true — being a Caregiver is hard work.
Our Caregiver Support Group is a place where caregivers from many different experiences can come together and draw support from one another.
At First Baptist Church we rejoice in the truth that as we call out to God from the Depths of our hearts God is there to meet us. Our belief is that true peace and comfort come only as we listen and respond to the Depth of God calling out to the Depth of who we are.
Psalm 42:7
Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
Ultimate understanding, peace, and strength begin as we learn to see God at work in our “everyday lives.” In prayer we are quiet and listen for the “still small voice of God.” We may hear God’s voice from within the scriptures. God may use someone to speak truth to power within our lives. Something from within nature or art may stir our soul and help us understand our reality in a deeper way. We may simply be overcome with a sense of peace, urgency, or comfort in the midst of working to discern our future.
Caregiver Support Group
Meets on second Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. at Two Stones Pub
Meets on fourth Wednesdays from 9-10 a.m. at Hank’s Place
What to expect at a Caregiver Support Group meeting.
- Expect to be welcomed and invited in to the group.
- Expect a safe place to share as little or as much as you want.
- Expect a time where nobody wants anything from you and you can replenish yourself for the difficult work of caring for others.
- Expect the meeting to begin and end on time.
SUPPORT GROUP MEETING SCHEDULE
6:30 GATHERING
7:00 GATHERING
READING OF A PSALM
REVIEW GROUP NORMS
LIGHT CHRIST CANDLE
PRAYER
7:10 sharing our experience (Questions of Examen)
Our support groups make use of the Ignatian spiritual exercise of examen. St. Ignatius designed this spiritual practice to create a deeper awareness of God, self and a practice of discernment.
We have adapted the five questions of examen to speak more clearly to each specific support group. Our prayer is that God will use these exercises to help bring peace, comfort, and healing in your life.
7:50 “WHAT COMMON THEMES DID WE HEAR DURING OUR MEETING?”
8:00 PRAYER TO CLOSE THE MEETING
8:05 Fellowship (feel free to stay, talk, share, or leave as you desire)
GROUP NORMS
At each meeting we expect those who participate to share the following norms. We have found that by respecting and listening to each other God uses our time together to speak Grace and Mercy into our lives.
- Speak only for yourself about beliefs, feelings and responses.
- Respect and receive what others offer, even if you disagree.
- Listening is more important than talking. Avoid cross-talk, interrupting, speaking for others, or trying to “fix” another person’s problems.
- Honor the different ways God works in individuals.
- Do not be afraid of silence. Use it to listen to the Spirit in your midst.
- Maintain confidentiality. What is shared in the group stays in the group.
- Recognize that all group members have permission to share only what and when they are ready to share.
