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STEPHEN
MINISTRY
What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is a lay ministry of our congregation in
which members are
trained to provide care through one-to-one relationships to those who are
facing life challenges
or difficulties.
What is a Stephen Minister?
- A caring Christian who really listens and offers support
in time of need
- A trained Christian who has received 50 hours of
training in how to provide distinctively Christian care
- A dedicated Christian committed to preserving the
confidentiality of the caring relationship
How can a Stephen Minister be
helpful?
Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus' command to love one another. Everyone
goes through difficulties. Having someone to care, to listen, to share God's
love with you, can help you get through your confusion, stress, or loneliness.
Consider allowing a Stephen Minister to walk with you on your journey to
wholeness. Stephen Ministers help meet the needs of individuals who are
experiencing:
- grievous loss
- separation or divorce
- job or financial difficulty
- spiritual challenge
- life-changing
situation
A Stephen Minister is NOT a:
- counselor or therapist
- problem solver
- casual visitor
How does one request the help
of a Stephen Minister or find out more about Stephen Ministry?
Please contact the
Referrals Coordinators: Joy Walker jdwalker35@verizon.net or Annabelle Hargreaves if a person-either you, a relative, or a friend-- is experiencing a difficult
time and in need of Christian care. The person will be contacted to explore how
Stephen Ministry might be helpful.
If
appropriate, and with the person's permission, the Referrals Coordinator
arranges for a Stephen Minister with similar life experiences to meet with the
person.
The Stephen Minister
continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person, normally
through weekly visits, until there is mutual agreement to close the formal
relationship.
History of
Stephen Ministry at Highland
- Since the beginning of Stephen Ministry at Highland
in 1994, over 3,500 hours of caring have been provided for more than 250
members and
friends
- Highland participates in a
Stephen Ministry network with 30 other churches in Lancaster County.
- Highland Stephen Ministers go
on to serve as Elders, Deacons, Parish Nurses, and caring servants throughout
their congregation and community.
- More than 90 members have been trained as Stephen Ministers.
Testimonial letters of
Highland members who have had a Stephen Minister
My husband had been sick for several months and I knew he
was terminally ill. I thought I was prepared for his death, but after he died,
I slipped into a depression that lasted four months. Gradually, I began to
realize that I could go on without him. However, I wondered why I didn't ask
for and accept the gift of a Stephen Minister that Highland offers. Was it that
I believed the friends who told me what a strong woman I was? Was it that I had
been a caregiver and therefore couldn't ask for help? Like many experiences, a
lesson I learned was an understanding of how difficult it is to admit that I
couldn't quite make it alone.
I would encourage anyone who could use confidential, caring
support for a month, several months, a year, or however long it takes to get
back on their feet to accept the gift of a Stephen Minister.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by what life can throw at you
sometimes? Ever wish you had help through the hard times?
After moving to Lancaster from out of state, our first days
here changed from joy to sadness when my spouse became ill very suddenly. I was
left to deal with the move, with doctor's visits, hospitalization, making new
friends, finding the "right" Church for me, locating appropriate craftsmen and
all the details that went with both situations.
Within a week, my spouse was placed in assisted living, and
I didn't know where to turn. I decided to call Highland Church. Very shortly a
Stephen Minister was assigned to me. A wave of relief washed over me as we met
week after week and I came to rely on her caring concern for me.
We continued our contact for a year. My Stephen Minister
brought God's love to me every time I needed her. Every time she walked through
my door, we said a prayer of thanks together. All I needed to do was ask for
help.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Since moving to Lancaster over 10 years ago, I have had
several traumatic events in my life and Highland's Stephen Ministry has been a
real blessing for me. The friendship, kindness, caring and help which Stephen
Ministers gave, I shall always remember. The Highland Pastors were also very
kind and caring. The Stephen Ministers provided an excellent source of
additional Christian and confidential support including inspiring Bible reading
and prayers. I have found the friendships developed during those stressful
times continue to grow. I would highly recommend this ministry. |