Interact with other men who understand. This ongoing group is designed to be a safe, confidential setting where men can share what it’s like to go through divorce. The class will include educational presentations and group discussion. Topics covered include loss and grief, stages of divorce, coping with anger, basic rights and needs, healthy relationships, effects on children, exploring forgiveness, negotiating the holidays and moving forward with confidence as we allow God to heal us.

Email Terry Smith for Zoom meeting information.

We offer two ongoing support groups for those affected by cancer. Both groups meet via Zoom at this time.

CANCER SUPPORT FOR MEN

1st Thursdays | Feb. 4 - May 6 | 5:30-7 pm | online

The Men's Cancer Support Group is a monthly ministry for men in all stages of cancer treatment, offering emotional and spiritual support. This group is led by Congregational Care Minister David Contag and meets online.

Please register here.

CANCER SUPPORT FOR WOMEN

4th Thursdays | 6:30

The Women's Cancer Prayer Support Group, or Glow Girls (God Loving Optimistic Women), is a monthly ministry for women who are currently experiencing cancer treatment or learning to adjust to life after treatment. The ministry offers women of all ages prayerful comfort, encouragement, support and the compassion of new friendships. God walks with us as we journey through cancer and we feel this presence as we travel through both dark valleys and bright meadows. This group is led by Congregational Care Minister Sharon Lovell.

For more information, email Denise.Mersmann@cor.org.

About Rez ReEntry

Rez ReEntry is working to establish both a coordinated in-prison program and a reentry hub that graciously receives people back into the community after incarceration.

Ministry with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals is a richly rewarding experience where you get a front row seat to watch God change people’s lives. You can serve one-on-one or as part of a group of volunteers who seek to offer access to the physical, emotional and spiritual resources necessary to live the life that God intends for all of us.

Why focus on incarcerated individuals?

According to the Kansas Correctional Association newsletter, “most prisoners come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Many have not completed high school. Many can barely read. Roughly one-third were unemployed before imprisonment. Another third had annual income of less than $5,000. Children of incarcerated parents have an increased risk of anxiety, depression, aggression, truancy, attention disorders and poor scholastic performance. African Americans are 7.8 times more likely to be imprisoned than whites, when convicted of the same crime.” (KCA Eagle, January 2008).

Releasing people, who were already disadvantaged and now have a "criminal record", back into the community with little or no resources is simply unacceptable. The lack of coordinated reentry helps fuel the crisis of mass incarceration. Within three years of release, about two-thirds of released prisoners are rearrested.

By the numbers:

• 4,000 people annually return to the KC Metro area from incarceration
• 80% of women who are experiencing incarceration are moms
• Roughly two-thirds of women in prison are women of color
• Nearly 20% of children entering the child welfare system have a parent incarcerated
• Approximately 75% of the children of offender parents will be offenders themselves

How you can get involved

• The Road to ReEntry: A Simulation-Sept 13th or 17th to learn more about this experiential learning opportunity click HERE

• Alpha in Prison: Help facilitate Alpha with inmates in correctional facilities in Kansas. No previous Alpha participation is required, and you can explore this serving opportunity without any commitment or training. Learn more...

• Ministry to Incarcerated Families: Through the United Methodist Women, the Ministry to Incarcerated Families provides women in the Topeka correctional facility with parenting classes and retreats where they can engage with their kids and grandkids in constructive ways. Learn more...

• Special donation opportunity: Women returning to community from incarceration basically have one set of clothes and no hygiene products. We partner with organizations in the Metro who offer support to women as they return home and collect items that they request. For more information or to have the items picked up, contact Pat Bayless - pbayless@kc.rr.com and Debbie Hedenkamp - dhedenkamp@gmail.com

• Mentoring Opportunities: Provide one-on-one mentoring to inmates in correctional facilities in Kansas. Mentors should have a deeply grounded personal faith, a willingness to be fully present to another person and an openness for personal growth. A 12 month commitment is required and training is provided. Learn more...

Rez ReEntry Volunteer Opportunities

"I was in prison and you came to visit me... Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:36c, 40b)