STEPHEN MINISTRY

Stephen Ministers will never take the place of Holy Comforter Ministers, but will multiply the amount of caring ministry that goes on in our congregation and increase the level of participation by lay people in the nurturing ministry of Jesus Christ. They will provide one-to-one Christian care to parishioners going through tough times.

Our Parish Mission Statement is “To worship God, revealed to us as Creator, as Jesus the Christ, and as the Holy Spirit, and experience God’s presence within the church family, nurturing each other through a comprehensive parish program while affirming each other’s individual ministries and responding to Jesus’ continuing call to minister to others.”

Stephen Ministers will never take the place of Holy Comforter Ministers, but will multiply the amount of caring ministry that goes on in our congregation and increase the level of participation by lay people in the nurturing ministry of Jesus Christ. They will provide one-to-one Christian care to parishioners going through tough times. In 1 Peter 4:10 we read, “Whatever gift each of you may have received, use it in service to one another, like good stewards dispensing the grace of God in its varied forms.”

In 1 Peter 4:10 we read,

“Whatever gift each of you may have received, use it in service to one another, like good stewards dispensing the grace of God in its varied forms.”

People often ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?” One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the After People.

Stephen Ministers are there:
• after the phone call you hoped you’d never get.
• after the divorce papers are served and the bottom falls out of your life.
• after the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you.
• after the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing more we can do.”
• after the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, “Welcome to your new home.”
• after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away—and the house suddenly seems empty.
• after the gavel goes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away.
• after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible.
• after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck.
• after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.

Stephen Ministers are the “After People.” They are ready to come alongside you—or your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives—and provide comfort and support for as long after as needed. www.stephenministries.org.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen Ministries St. Louis, Missouri.
Stephen Ministers will serve for two years and visit their assigned Care Receiver in person and sometimes by phone about one hour weekly for a few months or a year. Having been trained as a Stephen Minister Leader, Rene Burgess will provide training and lead monthly Stephen Minister Group Meetings for on-going support and continuing education.

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The Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter

320 East Davis Street | PO Box 1336 (27216)
Burlington 27215, US

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