This ministry offers a one-to-one caring ministry by lay people to persons experiencing difficulties in their life journeys. A Stephen Minister assists a care reciever whose particular needs seem compatible with the Stephen Minister's particular gifts. The caring relationship is reviewed twice monthly in peer supervision meetings in which confidentiality is strictly observed. No names are used and details are kept to a minimum. These meetings are also the occasion for continuing education in listening and caring skills. Anyone wishing a Stephen Minister for himself or herself or wishing to have one offered to someone else should contact one of the clergy or one of the Stephen leaders. When asking for someone else, please obtain that person's permission, espacially if one's knowledge of the person's need is private knowledge. One does not have to be a parishoner to have a Stephen Minister. Those interseted in becoming Stephen Ministers should contact one of the clergy or a Stephen leader.
The Stephen Ministry is a one-to-one ministry by trained, caring laypersons in which one person reaches out to another in a time of need.
The Stephen Ministers are trained to listen, support, and encourage in a caring relationship. Meetings usually take place once a week. Listening is a powerful component of the healing process.
Stephen Ministers offer care to people in a variety of life situations. The kinds of needs include crisis care (grief, terminal illness, divorce), follow-up care (recovery from hospitalization), chronic care for the disabled and preventative care for those experiencing a life transition (job change, empty nest, retirement).
To whom do we minister? Stephen Ministry is a part of both pastoral care and outreach at Emmanuel. This form of caring can extend beyond the walls of Emmanuel and be a form of outreach to the community.
Stephen Ministers help those who are experiencing:
A Stephen Minister is not a professional counselor, a social worker who problem-solves, a drop-in visitor who touches base only now and then, or an expert in church doctrine.
How does the Stephen Ministry referral process work?
A person in need contacts the church office, the clergy, or a Stephen Ministry Leader directly
OR
A caring friend or relative makes a referral with the knowledge and permission of the person in need.
A Stephen Minister Leader then assigns a Stephen Minister and contacts the care-receiver. The Stephen Minister will meet with the care-receiver on a weekly basis for as long as necessary.
Stephen Ministers provide Christian care for care-receivers with strict confidentiality.
CONSIDER ALLOWING A STEPHEN MINISTER TO WALK WITH YOU.
8/25/06