Congregational Care

We are here to walk beside you through life transitions, moments of grief, or any difficult situation you may be experiencing and have many ministries available to meet you where you are in life. We would love to support you.

Prayer Requests

Prayer is an important part of ministry at Bethlehem. If you are hurting or in need of prayer (or know someone who is), please submit a prayer request by emailing [email protected] or calling 612-312-3400.

If you submit a prayer on behalf of someone else, please try to get their permission. Without their permission, the prayer request needs to be vague in order to respect their privacy. Prayer requests remain private to the prayer chain. If you would like to request confidentiality and only direct your request to the pastoral staff, please communicate that in your email or phone call.

Submit Prayer Request

Ministries

Parish Visitors

Parish Visitors receive training to provide compassionate listening through frequent visits and phone calls to people in the Bethlehem community who are struggling with a life transition, health issue or other circumstances, which often limit their participation in worship.

Parish Visitors are a witness to God’s unending love in their faithful presence, listening ear and words of compassion.

If you know someone who would benefit from being visited or would like to volunteer to be a Parish Visitor, please contact:

Minneapolis Campus – Diane Waarvik, Director Congregational Care (612-312-3375)
Minnetonka Campus – Heidi Peterson, Faith Community Nurse (612-990-0427)

Communion

Bethlehem trains volunteers to bring communion to those who cannot attend worship or communion services due to health or other circumstances. Those served might be in their own homes, in care facilities or in hospitals.

If you have a loved one that would like to receive communion, or if you would like to volunteer to be a Home Communion Minister, please contact:

Minneapolis Campus – Kris Tostengard Michel, Pastor of Congregational Care & Adult Ministry (612-312-3410)
Minnetonka Campus – Heidi Peterson, Faith Community Nurse (612-990-0427)

Grief

The grief ministry team recognizes the difficulties that come with the death of a loved one and work to reach out to provide support to those who are dealing with a recent loss.

If you or someone you know is struggling following the loss of a loved one, or if you are interested in joining the Grief Ministry Committee, please contact: Diane Waarvik, Director Congregational Care (612-312-3375)

More Info

Healing Touch

Healing Touch is a relaxing, nurturing energy therapy that can affect positive change in one’s health and well-being. It is a complementary therapy and works well with Western medicine. The practitioner uses gentle touch either on or off the body to assist in restoring harmony and balance in the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the self.

Although there is no charge for Healing Touch, donations are welcome and encouraged.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact
the Healing Touch Team, (612-312-3375).

Schedule Appointment

Prayer Shawls

Bethlehem’s Prayer Shawl Ministry creates beautiful shawls made by members of BLCTC as a gift of love to the recipient. The shawl is meant to symbolize the love and embrace of God. Each shawl has been lovingly made and prayed over, and those who receive the shawls continue to be held in prayer.

If you know someone who could benefit from a prayer shawl, or if you would like to partner with us and volunteer to make prayer shawls, contact:

Minneapolis Campus – Diane Waarvik, Director Congregational Care (612-312-3375)
Minnetonka Campus – Heidi Peterson, Faith Community Nurse (612-990-0427)

More Info

Staff Contact

Director of Health & Wellness

Diane Waarvik

Phone: 612-312-3375

Minnetonka Faith Community Nurse

Heidi Peterson

Phone: 952-935-3419 ext. 215