UBUNTU CARE

Union Temple UBUNTU CARE

 “Caring for God’s People – God’s Way!”

 There is a Zulu phrase that says: “Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu”

Which means: “A person is a person through other persons”

Ubuntu is the “essence of being human” (Bishop Desmond Tutu)

“He has showed you, O man (Union Temple), what is good.   And what does the LORD require of you (Union Temple?)  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.  Micah 6:8

WHAT IS UBUNTU? 

UBUNTU is an ancient South African (Zulu) word/concept that embodies the principles of harmony, caring, sharing, and hospitality, with others. UBUNTU speaks to the “heart of humanity” by indicating that our lives are inextricably bound to the lives of others. The Nine Principals of self development and our mission and purpose as a church represents UBUNTU in action. We are challenged at this point, to examine how we care for God’s people and how we improve those services.

 There was a need to reformulate and formalize the outreach to new members and to those who are sick and shut in, bereaved and those who are generally in need of pastoral care.  This new, consolidated effort is called Union Temple UBUNTU.

HOW DOES UBUNTU WORK?

A team of ministers, deacons, tribal members and trustees are assigned on a weekly basis, from Sunday to Saturday.  This team  responds to any ministry emergencies that might take place that week, including illness, deaths and other crisis situations. Team members take turns being available in the evenings during church activities and serve as a ministering presence in the building.

There are approximately 10 on call team members per week. Each team is comprised of a combination of deacons and ministers, trustees, members and tribal leaders who are available during the day and/or at night. Two persons  lead each team and are responsible for maintaining all records, coordinating schedules, notifying team members AND the pastors of urgent situations, insuring that everyone is well informed of the current needs of members.

The teams will be assigned a Sunday of each month to begin their week of on call service. The teams consistently serve each month on the same Sunday, i.e. first, second, third, fourth or fifth Sunday. The fifth Sunday team have the additional responsibility of caring for and distributing communion to all sick and shut in members.

Teams one through five are responsible for coverage on a weekly basis.  There are two additional teams that handle new members (team 6) and bereavement care, (Healing Hearts Ministry – team 7).

UBUNTU New Member Team 6

When new members/seekers are taken to the intake/prayer area, the on call team for the week will accompany them and the deacons will do the initial orientation and have prayer.

Team members will insure that each new member receives a call within 24 hours of their decision to become a member of Union Temple. Welcome cards will be sent and reminders will be made about New Member’s classes, baptism, welcome receptions and other events.

Team 7 – Healing Hearts Ministry Group

This ministry focuses on the needs of members who have suffered a loss and are in bereavement. There is a 13-month cycle that has been developed to support families in bereavement on a weekly basis by providing:  phone calls, visitation and cards.  Each month teams of (2) leaders provide in-reach support to bereaved families for the total cycle.  In addition to direct care of those who are in mourning, there are also group sessions to provide information on various topics such as wills, estate planning etc.