Nurture
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Nurture
"Nurture" refers to those activities and opportunities which support the care and growth of our members and friends. This includes all of our learning ministries, and the variety of ways we welcome people into the congregation and support them through good times and bad.
When we celebrate great events in our lives, or the life of the congregation, that is nurture. When we deepen our faith through Bible study, classes, various spiritual growth activities, or fellowship that is nurture. When we walk beside those in pain or sorrow that is nurture. In many ways, this even overlaps those activities particularly labeled Outreach or Witness, for Nurture deals with our whole lives presented before our Lord.
In this part of our web site you will find information about a number of the programs which occur at Vidor Methodist Church in the various education areas, and in care for the congregation.
Adult Ministries
The Adult Ministries area has many small group opportunities to grow in our relationship with the Lord through Bible and spiritual enrichment studies, through fellowship and relational experiences, and in service activities.
There are many small groups from which to choose. You are invited to explore them and find your place in the community.
Adult Sunday School classes are an important component of finding a place to connect with others in our congregation. Our congregation offers a variety of classes, and while anyone is welcome to attend any of the classes, many people desire to form a small group with others in similar life circumstances. With that concept in mind, we have grouped the classes by categories to help you determine which classes you might like to visit.
Classes meet at 9:00 am on Sundays.
Bible Studies and Other Spiritual Growth Classes
A variety of short term bible studies and classes will be offered throughout the year for those seeking to make a connection with God and other believers. The classes vary widely in their topics, formats, and time commitments.
Walk to Emmaus
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and walked with them. -Luke 24:15
The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The program's approach seriously considers the model of Christ's servanthood and encourages Christ's disciples to act in ways appropriate to being "a servant of all."
The Walk to Emmaus experience begins with a 72-hour short course in Christianity, comprised of fifteen talks by lay and clergy on the themes of God's grace, disciplines of Christian discipleship, and what it means to be the church. The course is wrapped in prayer and meditation, special times of worship and daily celebration of Holy Communion. The "Emmaus community," made up of those who have attended an Emmaus weekend, support the 72-hour experience with a prayer vigil, by preparing and serving meals, and other acts of love and self-giving. The Emmaus Walk typically begins Thursday evening and concludes Sunday evening. Men and women attend separate weekends.
Congregational Care
Congregational Care at Vidor Methodist Church is always a concern. We want to be able to lend our support and encouragement to all our members, in whatever ways we can. This means we are always listening for the needs expressed by our members and friends, and asking them to share needs with us when they are aware of them.
We have several programs which are currently seeking to meet a variety of needs.
Our Hospital Ministry is a team of persons who visit those hospitalized for extended periods. We visit all the local hospitals, and solicit input on who might be hospitalized. For those in more distant hospitals, we try to arrange visits from pastors.
We are developing a team of Visitors to Shut-Ins who will visit or contact those who are not able to be regularly involved in the life of the church or who live in nursing or assisted living facilities. Our pastor regularly contacts and visits our shut ins.
We also have a group whose mission is a Meals Ministry for families attending funerals at the church, or who have just come home from the hospital or have other needs for a few meals.
For details about participating in these ministries, or communicating needs of our members and friends, please contact the church office at 409-769-2878.