|
When you or someone you know is in
need of care...
Stephen Ministry is one of
the ways we care
here at the Portland United Methodist Church.
| Who is a Stephen
Minister?
A Stephen Minister is:
- A child of God who lends
comfort and support to someone facing difficulties;
- A caring Christian friend who really listens;
- A lay person who has 50 hours of training i how to provide
distinctively Christian care.
Everyone goes through difficult
times. Having someone to care, to listen, and to share God's love
with you can help you get through the confusion, stress, or
loneliness you may be experiencing.
|
| Who is helped by
Stephen Ministry?
People who are:
- Needing someone to talk to
- Discouraged, anxious, lonely
- Grieving
- Dying or dealing with loved ones who are terminally ill
- Going through transition
- New to our congregation or community
- Homebound |
| How does the
referrals process work?
1. A person - either you, a relative or a
friend - is hurting and in need of Christian care.
2. The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator
is informed of this need for care only after the person in need has
granted permission.
3. The Referrals Coordinator meets with the
person to talk about Stephen Ministry.
4. With the person's permission, the
referrals coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly
basis with that person.
5. The Stephen Minister provides
distinctively Christian and confidential care.
During the time of the early
church, the apostles decided to choose among their faithful
disciples those who would be sent into the community to minister to
the needs of the people. "And they chose Stephen, a man full of
faith and the Holy Spirit..." Acts 6:5 |
| Stephen Ministers
are called to be Caregivers.
Bear one another's burdens, and in
this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 |
| God is the Curegiver.
Cast your burdens on the Lord, and
he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22a
Come to me, all you that are weary
and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 |
|
Consider allowing a
Stephen Minister to
walk with you on your journey to wholeness.
To Love is to Listen
Beloved, since God
loved us so much, we ought to love one another. No one has ever
seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is
perfected in us. 1 John
4:11-12 |
|
Call on someone who
cares.
Stephen Ministry of
Portland United Methodist Church
Footprints in the Sand |
| For more information, please
contact:
Kim
Duffield
Stephen Ministry Leader
(517) 566-7193 or
PUMC Church Office, (517) 647-4649 |
|
The space on
this web site has been provided courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministries, The
United Methodist Church, 475 Riverside Drive, NY, NY 10115. The content of
these home pages is the
responsibility of Lynn Bailey.
