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Caring that Changes Lives
Stephen Ministry at St.
Stephen the Martyr
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Stephen
Ministry – New Training Class Beginning Soon
When was the last time someone really listened to you? We
are talking about that undistracted, full attention kind of listening. This is
one of the ways Stephen Ministers care for others. We need more Stephen
Ministers to care for those who are making a long journey through the valley of
a life crisis. Will you consider serving in this way? A new training class
will begin soon. For more information, contact Sister Clarice Faltus at
861-4508 or c.faltus@stephen.org.
What is
Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is a program that is grounded in Jesus’
command to love one another. It equips people to provide one-to-one caring
relationships to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and
circumstances.
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Is life more than you can handle alone right now?
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Are your health, your attitude, or your relationships
suffering?
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Are you adjusting to a new job, a change in marital status, a
serious illness, the death of a loved one, a recent move?
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Would you like to have someone in your life who really cares?
Everyone goes through difficult times.
Having someone to care, to listen, to share God’s love
with you can help you get through the confusion, stress, or
or loneliness you may be experiencing.

Stephen Ministry Meets The Needs of People....
There are times when each of us needs the care of
another person. These needs include, but are not
limited to, facing life transitions, new members of the parish, looking for a spiritual companion, hospitalized,
bereaved, serious illness, job crisis,
disabled, lonely or aging.
How Does the Referrals Process
Work?
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A person --- you, a relative, or
a friend --- is hurting and/or in need of Christian care.
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The Stephen Ministry Leader learns about this need for care—from
you, the pastor, or a friend, always
with the person’s permission.
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The Stephen Leader meets
with the person to talk about the Stephen Ministry.
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With the person’s permission, the
Stephen Leader assigns a Stephen Minister who will contact the person and
arrange for a meeting.
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The Stephen Minister continues to
provide distinctively Christian care for the person in strict confidentiality.
Their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.
Only one Stephen Leader, the Stephen Minister, and the person receiving care are
aware of the caring relationship.
Referral Form
Please complete below information and submit.
A Stephen Leader will contact you within a week.
What is a Stephen Minister?
A Stephen
Minister is.....
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a caring Christian friend who
really listens,
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someone who expresses God’s care
to others through their lives,
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a lay person who has received 50
hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care,
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a lay person who is committed to preserving the
confidential nature of the caring relationship.
A Stephen
Minister is not....
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a counselor or therapist,
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a problem-solver,
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a casual visitor,
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a spiritual director.
How Can You
Support Our Congregation’s Stephen Ministry?
- Pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as
they provide Christian care to others.
- Pray for all who are receiving confidential care through
the Stephen Ministry.
- Tell Stephen Leaders about those who might benefit from
the care of a Stephen Minister—be sure to get that person’s permission first.
- Tell others in or outside of our community about the
availability of our Stephen Ministry and the care it can provide.
- Receive Stephen Ministry when you are in need of
supportive Christian care.
- Enroll in training to become a Stephen Minister.
Stephen Ministry is
Christ Caring for People
through People
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