For information on any of the following small group ministries, contact Rev. Suzanne Dornsmith.
 
Stephen Ministry is a complete system of training and organizing lay people for caring ministry. UUMC's Stephen Ministry is in its 12th year. Currently 22 trained, active Stephen Ministers have completed more than 50 hours of instruction in Christian caregiving skills. These Stephen Ministers provide one-on-one caring in times of need or crisis. Persons who seek or accept the support of a Stephen Minister are assured that all communications are strictly confidential. If you are
interested in being partnered with a Stephen Minister or becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact Rev. Suzanne Dornsmith.

BOOST (Building Our Own Story Together) is an annual pre-marital preparation weekend, which takes place each spring to help couples communicate more effectively, understand their relationships more comprehensively and address problems successfully. This program is done in partnership with the psychology department at UNC and University Presbyterian Church. UUMC asks all couples planning to marry in the church to consider taking part in BOOST.
 
Health Ministry supports and promotes the spiritual, mental and physical health of the church and family community. It offers free monthly blood-pressure screenings, supports the monthly Healing Service, writes educational articles for the Chapel Chimes, and offers various workshops addressing the church's unique health needs. The church has a significant influence over daily lives and values, and healing is central to Jesus' ministry on earth. While serious illness raises questions of faith, a sense of meaning and purpose is a powerful force for healing and faith. Also, a strong support system boosts immunity to disease. A congregational health line has been established at 929-7191, ext. 14. You are welcome to leave a message regarding health care questions or concerns and someone from the Health Ministry will be in touch to assist you. Through this ministry, the church endeavors to reclaim its ancient mission of caring for the body as well as the mind and the spirit.
 
Quiet Care Ministry responds to church families in acute times of need, including illness, family deaths or crisis situations as well as in times of joy and celebration such as the birth of a baby. Quiet Care Ministers serve as shepherds to one another, especially to those restricted to their homes or nursing homes, through personal visits, calls, prayers, cards, food preparation and more. 
 
Project Compassion teams attend to people living with either acute or terminal health conditions. Team members help with transportation to medical appointments, run errands, do light housekeeping and help prepare meals. Team members are trained and work in groups of 6-10.
 
Grief and Loss Support Group is offered to those who may be having difficulty dealing with the death of a loved one.  Contact Rev. Dornsmith for information.
 
DivorceCare is a Christ-centered weekly seminar and support groups for people who are separated or divorced. Here is a place where you can be around people who understand what you are feeling and learn valuable information about ways to heal from the hurt of divorce. The next 16-week session begins September 7 and meets weekly in the West Parlor on Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Topics include Loneliness, The Bible and Divorce, New Relationships and others. To watch videos on the DivorceCare program, follow the link and type DivorceCare.org in the Search Field. Contact Rev. Dornsmith for more information or to register for the DivorceCare series.