First UMC Offers Help with Pains, Addictions

Mayfield First United Methodist Church, (Mayfield FUMC), is a facilitator in Graves County for Celebrate Recovery, a Christian-centered, 12-step program/ministry for people dealing with pains, issues and addictions. 

These "hurts, habits and hang-ups" can range from addictions to drugs, alcohol, gambling, and pornography, to relationship and anger issues and eating disorders.

Celebrate Recovery weekly sessions are held Tuesdays at the church, locate at 214 South 8th Street, in Mayfield. Celebrate Recovery begins with a 5:30 p.m. meal followed by large and small group discussions at 6:15 p.m. An informal discussion time is then held at 7:50 p.m. Group discussions are gender-specific.

Childcare for infants up to children 12 years of age is also provided.

Mayfield FUMC has ministered through Celebrate Recovery since 2015. The initial program began 27 years ago at California's Saddleback Church, pastored by "A Purpose-Driven Life" author Rick Warren. What began at Saddleback with groups addressing chemical dependency and codependency now has 35,000 Celebrate Recovery-partnering churches around the world and programs in prisons, on college campuses and communities within Native American reservations.

The Mayfield FUMC Celebrate Recovery program averages 20-25 people per week and is a Christ-based safe place for discussion that is “free from guilt,” according to ministry volunteer Vanessa Lawson. 

"Celebrate Recovery is about having a safe place to fall," she said.

The Rev. Joey Reed, pastor at Mayfield FUMC, is the ministry leader who shares the Christian lessons at the heart of the program.

"Celebrate Recovery offers our congregation and the people of Graves County a chance to share and experience the freeing forgiveness of God's generous grace. Celebrate Recovery offers a safe place to deal with those hurts, habits, and hang-ups among folks who understand.," Rev. Reed said.

For additional information, contact Mayfield First United Methodist Church's office at 270-247-5678, via email at mayfieldfirst@gmail.com or go online to www.celebraterecovery.com.