Fundraising drive for Emanuel Lutheran

Communities throughout Adams County are largely without resources in many critical areas. With the exception of Othello, there is not a resident mental health office staff in the county.

The Emanuel Lutheran Church is committed to beginning a training program designed to meet the needs of the community with training, skills and compassion.

There are many elderly people who often lose their spouse and experience intense grief and loneliness. Many people have to make the difficult transition from their own home and independence to a residential facility or even skilled nursing care.

These people need someone who can help encourage that transition by visiting, listening, sharing and easing them into that transitional process.

There are those fighting cancer or other debilitating illnesses, who need someone who is not afraid and is trained to help them through the dying process. Help is needed for those who are homebound, convalescing or rehabilitating.

The church is enrolling in Stephen’s Ministry Program, which currently operates in 2,000 congregations across the United States. Each volunteer who is accepted and approved will receive over 55 hours of training in grief counseling, dealing with depression and many other areas of spiritual care.

The goal is to provide the communities of Lind, Washtucna, Benge and Ritzville with persons who would be willing to come along side and be a stabilizing presence after crisis, death, serious illness or one of many other conditions in which people find themselves.

The church’s goal is to be a friend who will visit, listen, and when asked, give appropriate spiritual counsel and support.

Emanuel Lutheran is sponsoring a fund raising drive to help offset the costs of a onetime membership fee, initial training from Feb. 1 to 5, in California and books and supplies needed for this program to get off the ground in our community.

Donations can be made directly to Emanuel Lutheran Church at 206 S. Division St. Ritzville, WA 99169.

Once established, the training program can include members from other religious congregations who wish to take the training, and work within their own areas and congregations.