There are times when everyone needs help, hope and direction.  Cuyahoga Valley Church is a place where you can find God’s love in tangible ways.

Care Group Interest Form

Care Ministry Vision: Our team will point people toward passionately loving God and help them to love one another like Jesus did, especially through care giving and mentoring relationships. 

Spiritual Care from CVC Staff - People have all kinds of spiritual, emotional, and relational problems throughout life.  Our staff is committed to point people to God and to use biblical wisdom as the guide.  If you would like to speak with a staff personal regarding a difficulty you are facing, please email the care and prayer staff directly through our Contact Us page and select the Care and Prayer ministry.  You may also phone the church and ask for assistance.

The Care Ministry supports your needs by offering services in the following areas:

 

Benevolence and Financial Coaching: Financial problems can be discouraging and caused by multiple factors.  We want to help you move from financial bondage to freedom through one to one or couples financial coaching.  Coaching is typically required part of receiving benevolence funds from CVC.  We may provide limited financial assistance for people who are members or long time attendees at our church.  We typically assist with rent, mortgage, vehicle repairs, or utilities.  To receive help, just request a Benevolence Form from the front desk.

Food Pantry: Our congregation and ministry reams support the “Oak Cupboard” food pantry on the bottom floor at CVC.  Any staff has access to the pantry and will gladly help you with a variety of fresh groceries. 

Hospital Visitation:   Illness can lead to hospitalization and spiritual care can be an important part of your healing process.  The Care team coordinates church staff to make hospital visits.  If you prefer not to receive visits, the church staff will be in prayer for you or your loved one in the hospital.

Referrals to local Christian Counselors and Psychologists:   CVC is a place where you can find great spiritual care and community.  We primarily provide care through our community groups and entire church staff.  We do not provide any professional counseling services, but do provide referrals to local counselors and psychologists.  They have agreed to provide reasonably priced services which are covered by most medical insurance plans.  You may contact the Care team to coordinate these services, or contact North Coast Family Foundation directly. 

Funeral staff and grief counseling: When death occurs the CVC staff wants to bring you hope and strength from God.  Having a personalized and well planned funeral can help people begin to face the burial, which can be arranged with the pastor of your choosing.  Please let us know how we can best serve you throughout your time of loss.  If you are in need of grief counseling, please contact our partner, Cornerstone of Hope.

Wedding:    When a couple desires to marry it can be an exciting task.  We want to help make each wedding personal and glorifying to God!  Three things are required to secure a wedding date at CVC. 
1) Complete an application for a wedding ceremony
2) Attend “Before I Do” classes held twice a year
3) Ask a pastor to officiate your ceremony
The Care team can coordinate these items for you and help make your wedding memorable. 

Prayer and Elder’s Ministry:   We desire to be a house of prayer as our Lord commanded.  Our church has prayer teams available at the end of each worship service.  We also have a CVC prayer gathering on Wednesday evenings.  You are welcome to come join this group as we seek God.  Should you need “Elder Prayer”, please contact the Care and Prayer team. 

Spiritual Care and Mentoring Workshops:   We want to help you learn how to care or mentor with the gifts that God has given you.  Be a part of a discussion on how to meaningfully connect with people and point them towards hope in Christ.  These classes will be open, honest, and confidence building for the novice and veteran caregiver (or mentor) alike.  We provide these workshops on various topics throughout the year.  The details will be listed in our weekly ministry program and on our website.  Contact the Care team to register and receive reminders regarding upcoming classes. 

Whatever your spiritual need is, the Care and Prayer team can provide you with the necessary resources, and the support to find peace.

Care Groups are Community Groups with a specialized focus.  We want to help people Love God, Love One Another and Love the World as they address specific problems and concerns in their lives.  The groups typically meet for a limited time and are facilitated by caring church leaders.  These groups are not professional counseling or mental health services, but peer led, Christ centered, supportive communities.  Some group facilitators may have licensing and specialized training- but in their roles as Care Group leaders they are not functioning in their professional capacity.  We are prayerfully moving toward the development of other Care Groups on the topics of grief, sexual purity, homosexuality, and eating disorders.  If you are interested in one of these groups or the ones listed below, please contact our Care Team Assistant- Greta Smith at 440.746.0404 ext. 267. 

Christ Centered Addiction and Recovery: Participate in a ground breaking program to learn how to deal with emptiness and addictions from a Christian perspective.  It is open for anyone, especially people who have addictions, think they might have an addiction, or struggling to love someone with an addiction.  Dr. Walt Broadbent, psychologist and addiction specialist, will be leading this ministry.

Domestic Violence and Abusive Relationships: If you are a woman struggling with domestic violence or are dealing with abusive relationships- we have ways for you to get free, safe, care and guidance through Abigail Ministry.  CVC has a close relationship with this local organization that helps women get connected to local groups.  It is an extremely private and confidential ministry, sensitive to the issues that women face in abusive relationships.  You can reach the ministry directly at www.abigail-ministries.org or 440.281.7136.

Abortion Healing and Training:  If you are dealing with the decision to have an abortion or have made this decision in the past, we would like to help you heal and receive group support through the Cleveland Pregnancy Center.  This organization cares and trains group leaders through their “HEART program.”  You may contact them directly at 216.631.0964.  This is a private and confidential ministry that meets off the church premises.

Divorce Care:  Participate in a caring group of people who help each other to move on and follow God despite going through a divorce.  This group is for people dealing with divorce at any stage:  currently, recently, or a long time ago.  It meets at CVC on Thursday evenings from 7-9 PM.  The group restarts several times a year.  Look up www.divorcecare.com  for more information.

Sexual Abuse Recovery:  Another ground breaking time limited program to learn how to deal with a history of sexual abuse from a Christian perspective.  Group participation is by invitation only, as the issues to be addressed are highly confidential and sensitive in nature.  We anticipate Caroline Stanczak, a counselor from North Coast Family Foundation, to lead this group.  To express interest through Greta Smith, please request a meeting with Pastor Ryan Edlind or Caroline Stanczak