Welcoming ARMS Ministry

Allen Chapel

Our History The church needed a Grief Ministry to help people who are hurting and grieving due the death of a loved only; therefore in September 2009 this ministry was formed and we began our first series of sessions in January 2010. Many bear a grief that is so heavy that it may become a health problem and often does. This ministry was established to provide a way for people to come together who share a common loss. The grief ministry was given the name “Welcoming ARMS Ministry” by its founder because it is our desire to provide the following to all who come:

Assistance – by helping the individual to cope with their loss and give comfort. – Ps 33:20-22 (NKJV)

Reassurance – to the person that their pain will lessen in time. Ps 30: 5b, 11-12 (NKJV)

Motivation – suggesting avenues for the person to inspire them move forward. – 1 Sam 30:6 (KJV)

Support – giving ourselves openly to be good listeners and providing encouragement to continue. Acts 20:35 (NKJV)

Thus, we have the acronym ARMS.

Our mission is to offer services to those who are grieving. The five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance are addressed to aid those who come. We work within those parameters to help by using Christian-based GriefShare Ministry sessions. It is our desire to help individuals get back to living life free from the pain of losing a loved one and to move “from Mourning to Joy.”

The Purpose of this ministry is to help people who are grieving due to the loss of a loved one. The trained Facilitators will work with various groups in order to offer more individualized assistance when needed.

Our Vision is “Using our relationship with Christ to help those who have endured losses to heal.”

Facilitator Roster:

Rev. Carole Ecton – Leader
Doreathea Brown – (Co-Leader)
Rev. Carolyn Scales – (Co-Leader)
Lorraine Beavers
Denise Bivins
Elizabeth Jordan-Johnson
Desiree Monroe
Dr. Charlena Middleton
Mitzi Jamison-Thomas
Tracie Walls

We meet: Monthly on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays, 9AM to 11AM.