Care

Faith communities are called to offer love, just like Jesus did. At St. Luke’s, we have ministries of care that offer support during times of physical, mental and spiritual need. We are seeking to be a place that brings wholeness to everyone we serve. We offer many support groups and one-on-one Christian care-giving.

I NEED CARE

Upcoming Care & Contemplation Support

Introduction to Contemplative Practices - Mondays, starting October 20th | North Indy

Are you longing for a breath of peace in a busy and broken world? This four-week series offers gentle space to slow down, rest, and be renewed in God’s compassionate love. Together, we’ll explore contemplative practices that open our hearts to healing and hope—Taizé worship, labyrinth walking, sacred scripture reading, prayer journaling, and quiet meditation.

This groups for those who are weary and carrying heavy burdens. For those grieving the loss of a loved one or the pain of our world. For parents, young adults, and seekers longing for stillness and peace. This will be a space of gentle guidance into contemplative practices — whether you’re new or experienced, you’ll find space to explore and deepen your connection with God. Come as you are — no preparation needed, only an openness to pause, breathe, and be held in divine love. This will be a safe and compassionate community — journey alongside others seeking rest and renewal.

Schedule:

  • First Gathering: Monday, October 20 at 5:30 p.m. in Luke’s Lodge (beginning with the monthly Taizé worship)
  • Following Weeks: Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the Spiritual Life Room

Come as you are. No pressure, no performance—just a sacred invitation to rest in the presence of the God who draws near to the brokenhearted.

GriefShare - Thursdays, Starting October 30th | Midtown

Have you experienced the loss of a loved one that has turned your world upside down? Are you walking through grief and the many emotions and struggles that come with it—feeling like your mind is in a fog or unsure how to move forward?

You don’t have to face grief alone. GriefShare is a 13-week support group that offers comfort, understanding, and hope as you navigate life after loss. Join a caring community of people who truly understand what you’re going through.

This group will begin on October 20th at 6:30 at our Midtown campus. There is no cost to attend. Workbooks are available at the meetings for a one-time cost of $20 (scholarships available).

Register Here for GriefShare Register Here for Contemplation

We are here to care for you. If you or someone you know is hospitalized, homebound, or in need of Care, please let us know.

Need Care? Submit a Prayer Request

Receive Care

There are many ministries at St. Luke's that were created to care for your needs. 

We want to care for you through prayers and visits. If you or someone you know is hospitalized, currently living in a healthcare center, assisted living or confined to their home, we are here for you. If you are in need of a Care Team member either in response to a death or a tragic event, please call (317) 846-3404 and follow the prompts (after office hours, press x4 to talk with the pastor on call). If you're in need of any other Care, please click the button to get connected to us.

I Have A Care Need

At St. Luke's we believe in prayer and seek to pray for those in need when asked. Whether you are in need of prayer or are gifted in praying for others, we welcome your heart-felt voice so as a praying team and/or pastor, we might pray for you and join others who pray for you. If you would like to submit a prayer request, click here.

Submit a Prayer Request Prayer Wall

St. Luke's hosts several Health Ministries including; caring cars (car ride ministry), lending closet (mobility aids), several yoga groups, healing partners (prayer ministry), & Stephen Ministry.

St. Luke's also frequently hosts Blood Drives, Blood Pressure Screenings, and other health-related events.

Contact our Care Team if you would like to learn more about any of these ministries.

Get Care Now

Need a ride to and from doctor's appointments or to church? We are here to help get where you need to go! Contact Jessica.gormong@stlukesumc.com to give us details of your ride request including date, time of your appointment or event at St Luke’s, address of the appointment, your address, and your contact information. Someone will contact you to confirm the details.

Be a volunteer driver to help others. You must use your own car and have a driver's license and insurance. You can accept to drive when you are available with no required time commitment. Sign up here to volunteer.

Contact Caring Cars Volunteer Signup

If you're in need of gently used mobility aids, St. Luke's has established a Lending Closet. These items are available for anyone (you do not have to attend St. Luke's to "borrow" from this closet). If you'd like to setup a time to "shop" for a mobility aid, please contact Tina Voelker or the Care Ministry Dept.

If you are looking to donate gently used, but still in good condition, mobility aids, e.g., clean, gently used standard walkers, rolling walkers, rollators, single tip walking canes, quad canes, crutches, shower chairs/benches, you can donate them to the St. Luke’s “Lending Closet.” Drop off hours are M-F 9AM-4PM at the main office of the North Indy campus.

For more information on how to donate or borrow a mobility aid, contact our care team.

Learn More

Healing Partners Ministry utilizes the unique Pilgrimage Integrative Healing Process – a combination of relaxation, gentle touch and prayer – to promote wholeness of body, mind and spirit.

Click here for more information

Our Tablet Ministry's goal is to provide tablets so people can connect to online services. While Care Ministry continues to navigate new ways to minister to people, there is one word that continues to be expressed: Disconnected. One gentleman was in tears when he said, “Church feels like a distant memory”. Some people can't get to church and have no access to technology. Many live in retirement homes that have WIFI, but they personally do not own a device. Our volunteer technology team will help set up devices, and coach people through using those devices. One device, set up and ready for easy access to our online services, costs $89.00. To donate to a scholarship fund where we can provide for our people in need or to volunteer, contact the Care Ministry. Whatever donation that you are able to make will be very helpful in providing church for those who are not able to be at St. Luke’s. 

Contact Care

Stephen Ministry offers one-on-one listening sessions for anyone going through a difficult time. All conversations are confidential. You meet privately with a trained Stephen Minister according to your schedule. To get connected with a Stephen Minister, please click the button below.

I Need A Stephen Minister

Support Groups

We host support groups and classes for a variety of needs including health support and grief support.

Mondays, starting September 8th from 6:30-8:30PM (6 Weeks) | North Indy  

While divorce is always hard, many are facing additional obstacles that make this season of life even more difficult. St. Luke's wants you to know that you are not alone. We welcome you to our DivorceCare class meeting on Monday evenings starting September 9, 2024. The class runs for a total of 13 weeks. We offer DivorceCare with no registration fee for the group. You must have workbook for the class and workbooks will be available at the first class. The fee for your purchase of the workbook is $20. We do offer scholarships for the workbook, so please reach out if there is a need. Also, you can contact our pastoral care team through our emotional health hotline at (317) 643-2293.

Sign-Up Here

St. Luke's offers many programs to support those who are grieving a loss. These groups include Griefshare, H.U.G.S Spousal Loss, Hope Pregnancy Loss, and Brooke's Place for grieving children. If you need to arrange a meeting with a pastor, contact our Care Ministry.

Find A Grief Group

Gather with an encouraging group of caregivers and patients who give hope and support. Church and community members welcome. Contact Tom for information pertaining to the group as well as meeting times. You are not alone!

Learn More Here

First Tuesday of the Month at 6 PM | Luke's Lodge

This support group serves caregivers of those affected by memory loss, including Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Members of the church and community are welcome to gather to find loving support, share resources, and encouragement along their journey. Individuals attending the Caregivers Support Group may care for loved ones in any capacity (whether at home, in care facility, or from a distance).

Both facilitators of this support group are church members and have been trained by the Alzheimer's Association. Visit the Alzheimer's Association website for more information.

The Dementia Caregivers Support Group meets the first Tuesday of the month.

Learn More Here

Whether you are experiencing chronic pain, addiction, or illness, St. Luke's has a place for you. Our health support groups include Chronic Pain Support, Cancer Support, and various outside groups.

Click here to find a health support group.

Find A Health Support Group

We welcome outside groups who need a safe place to meet. Groups we host include:

Contact the Care Team for more information about these groups and when they meet.

Contact Us

Get Involved

If you're looking for a truly rewarding way to serve our church and community, we invite you to say "YES!” to any one of our Care Team serving roles. Visit our serve page for details.  

Connect here

We seek to meet each individual where they are and with whatever they are going through.

St Luke's offers several ministry groups including; Military Ministry, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Crochet Guild, Signed Sealed Delivered (card writing ministry), Elderberry, & Mindfulness Monday.

Find a Ministry Groups Here

Taize worship is based on the tradition developed in Taize, France after WWII when a group of men came together to pray for peace. A Taize service invites you into a time of contemplation using simple chanting, prayers, scripture and 10 minutes of silence. Please join the chant choir Rev Janet Tiebert and Betty Brandt and the Chant Choir in re-establishing this contemplative tradition at St. Luke's on the third Monday of each month.

Click here to learn more

5th Monday of each month from 6-7pm

Join us for a peaceful walk on the Prism Labyrinth as we take time to reflect and renew. This guided walk offers a moment to nurture your spiritual well-being in a serene setting. Weather permitting, we will walk outdoors, but if needed, we will move inside.

Mark your calendars and join us for this meaningful time of contemplation!

Click here to learn more

We invite you to slow down and reconnect—with nature and one another—on our monthly Nature Walks, held every third Sunday at 2 PM, May through October.

2025 Walk Schedule & Locations:

July 20 & October 19 - Holliday Park – 6363 Spring Mill Rd., Meet in front of the Nature Center at 2 PM

August 17 - Eagle Creek Park – 71st Street Entrance: 7100 N. Eagle Creek Parkway, Meet at the main trailhead behind the entrance gatehouse at 2 PM

(Note: There is an entrance fee for Eagle Creek Park)

September 21 - Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve – 10410 Hague Rd., Meet at the picnic tables near the parking area at 2 PM

Click here to learn more

Funerals

When a death is imminent, our pastors and Care Team are honored to come and pray with you. Please call the church and ask for Care Ministries - we’ll make every effort to have someone come to you.

If your need is after office hours, the pastor on-call will return your message as soon as possible. Once a death has occurred, our pastors and staff would be honored to provide the service for your loved one here at the church, at the funeral home, or graveside, depending on the family’s decision.

Funeral Guide   Plan A Funeral

The death of a loved one is a difficult experience. We grieve the loss of one who has been close, but as Christians, we do not sorrow without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). During this time, St. Luke's is here to support to your family. It is our hope that as friends and family gather to remember their loved ones, they will be reminded of the hope and assurance we have in Jesus. Below you can see those who we remember and find their funeral/celebration of life service information. 

Sarah Knapp and the Ellis family on the death of Sheryn Ellis, who passed away on September 14th. Memorial services are pending for October 17th at St. Luke's UMC. 

The Reiman family on the death of Tim Reiman, who passed away on September 18th. Memorial service will take place on October 4th with visitation from 9-11 AM and service at 11 AM at St. Luke's UMC.

Dee Benton on the death of her mother, Ellowen Benton, who passed away recently. 

Reagan Green & Bernard Reed on the death of Kamya Reed, who passed away September 22th. Services took place on September 28th at Flanner Buchannan- Oaklawn Memorial Gardens and September 29th at St. Luke's UMC.

The Combs family on the death of Charles Combs, who passed away on September 25th. Memorial services will take place on October 11th with visitation at 10am at St. Luke's UMC.

The Mernitz family on the death of Roland (R.B.) Mernitz, who passed away on September 5th. No memorial service will be held. 

Chris Bean on the death of his mother, Penney Joan Huntsman who passed away on September 27th. Services took place on October 2nd at Norman Funeral Home. 

Jean Faulconer and Phyllis Montgomery on the death of Joni Lynn Whittridge who passed away on September 27th. 

The Blom family on the death of Michael Donald Blom who passed away on September 28th. Memorial services will take place on October 12th at 3pm with visitation following the service at Gray Methodist Church.

WATCH ONLINE

Care Staff

Serve With Care

If you're looking for a truly rewarding way to serve our church and community, we invite you to say "YES!” to any one of our Care Team serving roles. Visit our serve page for details.  

Learn More