Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share with each other their experiences, their strengths and their hopes so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership. The program is self-supporting through our own contributions. Although meeting space is provided by Big Canoe Chapel, AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, political group, organization or institution. It does not engage in controversial issues, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. AA meets every Saturday morning at the Broyles Community Center in the sub-level meeting room also known as the Teen Room from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Come to a meeting!
The only requirement is that you have a relative or friend with a drinking problem. Your anonymity is protected. There are no fees for membership – we are self-supporting through voluntary contributions.
Stephen Minister
A Stephen Minister is a congregation member who is recruited, selected, trained, commissioned, and supervised by Stephen Leaders to provide one-to-one Christian care on behalf of the congregation to persons in need. The Stephen Ministry is 41 years old with ministries in more than 12,000 congregations.
In the summer of 2009, four members of the Big Canoe Chapel went to Dallas, Texas and Orlando, Florida for Stephen Leader training. Those four people returned and recruited 19 others to be trained as Stephen Ministers. In May 2010, those Stephen Ministers were commissioned by Big Canoe Chapel to serve the Chapel membership and the whole of Big Canoe. In May 2012 six more Stephen Ministers were commissioned by the Chapel and currently, there are 15 active ministers.
Stephen Ministers are available to anyone in Big Canoe. Stephen Ministers typically are assigned to one care receiver at a time and meet with that person for one hour each week. A care receiver is a person experiencing a life crisis or challenge who wishes to receive the caring ministry of a Stephen Minister. The needs of care receivers include divorce, loss of a loved one, hospitalization, terminal illness, loneliness, relocation, unemployment, retirement, empty nest, and other life transitions. One of the main ingredients of the Stephen Ministry is confidentiality. At no time and under no circumstances will a Stephen Minister reveal either the name of his/her care receiver or any information discussed by the one receiving care. The welfare of the care receiver is of paramount concern in all instances and female ministers will assist female care receivers and male ministers will assist male care receivers.
If you, or someone you know, may be in need of a care giver, please contact Big Canoe Chapel (470.273.6768) or Stephen Leaders Randy Case, Maureen Clay, Dennis Dean, Randy Grogan, Jim Pollner or Millann Funk.
More Information
Blanket Ministry
The Blanket Ministry at Big Canoe Chapel began in 2012. The purpose of the blankets is to bring joy to those who are sick, in Hospice, undergoing medical treatments, grieving, lonely, or just in need of a hug. A patch is lovingly stitched on each blanket that says, “This blanket is an expression of God’s love for you and we pray that it will bring you comfort. When life gets tough, wrap yourself in it and remember that you are loved.”
Anyone may pick up a blanket to give or send to someone they know who is hurting. The blankets are available in a cabinet in room 103 on the lower level of the Chapel. Please sign the clipboard in the cabinet to be sure that there are no duplications.
This ministry is a labor of love and there is no charge for the blankets, however, donations are always appreciated and checks may be made out to the Chapel with “Blanket Ministry” in the memo space.
If you would like to participate in the making of the blankets, meet with us on the third Monday of every month (except November and December) at 9:00 a.m. in McCormick Hall.