Serving Others

Missions

Jesus told us, his disciples, to make disciples of all nations. One of the most important values of Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church is our mission to the world. It begins in our own community, and spreads overseas to every nation. DVLC members are involved in a variety of ministries such as Stephen Ministry, Health Ministry, yearly fundraisers for local charities, Lutheran World Relief and Compassion International.

 

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry is a one-to-one ministry by trained, caring lay ministers. Through one-to-one caring and confidential relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them through particularly challenging times.

A Stephen Minister serves those who are:

  • Facing hospitalization, disability or the unknown
  • Bereaved, lonely or depressed
  • Experiencing a personal, family or job crisis
  • Terminally ill
  • In need of a listening friend

A Stephen Minister is not:

  • A counselor or a therapist
  • A problem-solver
  • A casual visitor

People are Renewed Spiritually

The Stephen Ministry invites change in human hearts. This ministry is a demonstration of how God comes to us through other people, and how God comes to other people through us.

How do I request a Stephen Minister?

Please contact Pastor Jack Anderson or another Stephen Ministry leader through the church. You may discuss with them the need for a Stephen Minister for yourself or for someone you know. A Stephen Minister will only be assigned with the permission of the person in need, and under conditions of strictest confidence.  This ministry is available to members of our church as well as non-members in the community.

 

Health Ministry

Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church has developed a Parish Ministry Team (PMT) which includes the Pastor, Stephen Ministers, Parish Nurse, and the Ministry Response Coordinator. The PMT meets weekly to ensure the needs of the congregation and others of concern are met.  All information is handled with confidentiality.  The PMT also administers the Agape’ Fund which provides funds for members that may have temporary financial needs.  The funds are raised through a free-will offering by individuals and the church.  One of the most meaningful and powerful things that PMT does each week is to pray for everyone in the congregation by name and for anyone who wants and needs their prayers.

Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one caring relationship designed to meet a person’s concerns through confidential listening. This program requires 50 hours of initial training and monthly follow-on training.

The Parish Nurse role is to:

  • Minister to the personal health needs and promote whole person health to congregants, parish staff, and community members.
  • Promotes understanding of the relationship between lifestyles, attitudes, faith and well-being through such activities as classes, seminars, health fairs and educational materials.
  • Serves as a resource to congregational and community services and agencies to make referrals.
  • Serves as liaison between parishioners and community agencies.
  • Provides visitation to homes, hospitals and nursing homes.
  • Identifies congregational health needs and wholeness of body, mind and spirit.
  • Enables people to wellness and prevent illness.
  • Provide regular health screenings and monitoring.
  • A Parish Nurse is not a substitute for the parishioner’s pastor or physician.  The Parish Nurse will work to form, strengthen and maintain relationships among parishioners, their pastoral team, and their physicians.

Ushers

The usher team at DVLC fills an important role. They are involved in directing attendees to their seats, ensuring the safety of the building during services, guiding traffic, helping visitors, answering questions, providing direction, unlocking doors, locking doors, and generally ensuring that the service can proceed problem-free. The usher team is a servant-hearted group of men and women whose ministry is integral to church life.


Prayer Warriors 

Prayer cannot be overestimated. Prayer moves the hand of God. DVLC is a body of believers dependent upon prayer, and committed to God’s sovereignty. Throughout the week, as prayer requests are called into the church office, the requests are sent out via e-mail to our Prayer Chain.

 

Sunday School Teachers

In order to give our children the best Bible teaching possible, DVLC emphasises the importance of Christian Education in our children and youth. Sunday School gives kids more opportunity for interaction and learning in a context and manner are suited to their age and learning styles.

 

Worship and Music

The mission statement of the Worship and Music Committee is “To share the Good News of God’s love in worship in keeping with our Lutheran tradition to help make worship meaningful to a broad spectrum of God’s people.”  The committee meets monthly throughout the year. A primary focus is the unfolding of the Church Year through varied seasons.  During each of the seasons from Advent to Pentecost our liturgy and music is varied in order to facilitate and enhance the uniqueness of each season.

The worship and music program at Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church would not be possible without the outstanding work of all the people who make worship happen, including production of the bulletins, the choir, special music, Altar Guild, and other member’s work on all the other things that need to be done to make worship a meaningful and spiritual time in our lives each week.