{"id":21751,"date":"2019-08-05T10:25:29","date_gmt":"2019-08-05T14:25:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=21751"},"modified":"2019-08-06T16:54:55","modified_gmt":"2019-08-06T20:54:55","slug":"help","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=21751","title":{"rendered":"Help!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sometimes life closes in and we don’t see a way out.\u00a0 Sometimes we’re trapped as a victim, or grieving survivor, or we’re just overwhelmed by the things we need to do.\u00a0 Living this human life isn’t easy!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

When we’re in these dark valleys, our faith may weaken and it may be hard to believe the promise of God (as recorded in Jeremiah 29:11):<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t
\n\t\t\tFor I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div> <\/span><\/p>\n

A plan?!?\u00a0 Does what’s going on in my life now have a purpose?\u00a0 Is it possible that it could turn out for good?!?\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

When we’re burdened down by an overwhelming\u00a0 crisis in our life, God is promising a way out; a path to healing and peace.\u00a0 But just like a battlefield, confusion, smoke, and fog shroud us, and we can’t see these pathways.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

God does want to help us, and He does so through His people.\u00a0 People who love what is right.\u00a0 People who want to use their abilities to help others discover a pathway to healing.\u00a0 This page presents some of those people and programs who want to help you in this crisis.\u00a0 There are many tools available; search the Internet or ask a friend.\u00a0 But the following opportunities (some of which are connected with our church) are available to you…<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Immediate Help<\/span><\/h2>\n

In the heat of a crisis, you may need help right away.\u00a0 Here are some of the “hotline” services that are available:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It’s Useless: There’s No Way Out!<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you’ve hit such a low point of despair in your life that you’re considering ending it, realize that there IS a future with Hope.\u00a0 There IS a pathway, an off ramp, that leads to healing, peace, and resolution.\u00a0 Here are some resources that can help you begin the process of discovering that pathway:<\/p>\n

Suicide prevention hotlines:<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n

800-SUICIDE<\/span>
\n800-273-TALK<\/span> (8255)<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Crisis Text help line:<\/span> <\/em><\/h4>\n

The Crisis Text Line is free, 24\/7 support for those in crisis, connecting people in crisis to trained Crisis Counselors.\u00a0\u00a0Our first priority is helping people move from a hot moment to a cool calm, guiding you to create a plan to stay safe and healthy. YOU = our priority.<\/em><\/p>\n

Text CONNECT to 741741<\/span><\/h3>\n

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<\/em><\/p>\n

More information is available at the following websites:<\/span><\/p>\n

Thinking about Suicide?:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 \n\u00a0http:\/\/www.suicide.org\/if-you-are-suicidal.html<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Suicide.org:<\/strong>\u00a0\n\u00a0http:\/\/www.suicide.org\/hotlines\/new-jersey-suicide-hotlines.html\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

NJ Institute of Technology:<\/strong>\u00a0\n\u00a0https:\/\/www.njit.edu\/counseling\/gethelp\/crisis.php<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“Suicide is never the answer.\u00a0 Getting help is the answer.”<\/em><\/span><\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

My Spouse Just Hit Me!<\/span><\/h3>\n

Domestic violence and sexual assault are crimes that attack real people every day.\u00a0 It can be unexpected and incomprehensible when a loved one turns on you.\u00a0 SERV (Services Empowering thr Rights of Victims) is an organization that uses our church to train volunteers who can stand with survivors of domestic violence and help them through the emotional crisis and the difficult legal roads that must be traveled.\u00a0 For immediate help, you can call their hotline:<\/p>\n

1-866-295-SERV<\/span> (7378) <\/strong><\/h3>\n

For more information on SERV, read this post:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 SERV<\/span><\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

I Can’t Feed My Children!<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pitman Food Pantry<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 If finances are tight and you’re having trouble feeding your family, organizations such as the Pitman Food Pantry are ready to help.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pitman Food Pantry\u00a0 Pantry<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n

Food Bank of South Jersey<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 The Pitman Food Pantry is open to residents of any town, but you can contact the Food Bank of South Jersey to find the pantry that’s closest to you.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Food Bank of SJ:\u00a0 856-662-4884, FoodBankSJ.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Philabundance<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 offers a “Fresh for All” produce market every week, and the market is open throughout the entire year.\u00a0\u00a0 Bring your own bag and fill it up with fruits and vegetables.\u00a0 It is all free of charge with no “needs testing qualification” or other red tape that would affect other benefits.\u00a0 In the Pitman area, “Fresh for All” is located in the Rowan Univ. Parking lot at the corner of Heston Road and Carpenter St. in Glassboro. It is open on Fridays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. \u00a0 Check out the Philabundance website for updates and other locations:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Philabundance:\u00a0 215-220-1920, philabundance.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Other organizations that we support can be found under the “GO: Beyond Our Walls” \/ “Local and Regional Missions” menu.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Is Anyone Out There?!?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Sometimes we’re lonely; we just need somebody to talk to.\u00a0 If you’re in need of immediate help, consider speaking to someone on the CONTACT Community Helpline.\u00a0 CONTACT is not a ministry of our church, but they provide trained volunteers who can help you through a difficult moment of crisis.\u00a0 To reach CONTACT, call the helpline at:<\/p>\n

856-234-8888<\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Something Else is Going On<\/span><\/h3>\n

211 Hotline<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 If none of the above applies to your specific situation and you don’t know who to turn to, note that the NJ Division of Emergency Management operates a 24\/7 hotline (nj211.org<\/span>).<\/a>\u00a0 Call this line for help in locating services near you who can help you with your specific problem.\u00a0 Every state operates a similar 211 hotline (and they are also available in other countries):<\/p>\n

211<\/span><\/h3>\n

Gloucester County NJ Resources<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Resources available in our county are listed on the Gloucester County website:<\/p>\n

www.co.gloucester.nj.us<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Emergency!<\/span>\u00a0 I Need Help Now!<\/span><\/h3>\n

It might be an obvious reminder, but our communitys’ first responders are available 24×7.\u00a0 If you’re in need of immediate help, don’t hesitate to contact them:<\/p>\n

911<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Help for the Long Haul<\/span><\/h2>\n

Healing, and discovering your own pathway to hope can take a long time.\u00a0 But once the immediate crisis situation cools down, you’re not alone.\u00a0 Other pathways of support are available.\u00a0 The following are connected with our church.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stephen Ministry- “The After People”<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Stephen Ministers in our church are trained listeners.\u00a0 They aren’t professional counselors, but they are “regular people” who come alongside you and to listen and support you as you struggle to find healing.\u00a0 In the aftermath of a crisis, police, hospitals, and even friends leave the scene when they feel that their work is finished.\u00a0 But the road to recovery is different for each person, and the time required to travel down that road also varies.\u00a0 Stephen Ministers stick around for the long haul.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information:\u00a0 Stephen Ministry<\/span><\/a> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Support Groups<\/span><\/h3>\n

Our church hosts a variety of support groups by providing them meeting space.\u00a0 If you’re battling addictions, if your spouse just died, or if you are a parent or living with a loved one who has special emotional needs, it helps to build relationships with others who are traveling the same road.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

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If you need immediate assistance, note that some of these organizations operate a 24×7 hotline.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

Here’s a summary of the Support Groups currently meeting in our church:\u00a0 Support Groups<\/span><\/a> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sometimes life closes in and we don’t see a way out.\u00a0 Sometimes we’re trapped as a victim, or grieving survivor, or we’re just overwhelmed by the things we need to do.\u00a0 Living this human life isn’t easy!\u00a0\u00a0 When we’re in these dark valleys, our faith may weaken and it may be hard to believe the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":31,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-21751","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21751"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21751\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21872,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21751\/revisions\/21872"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}