Springfield United Methodist Church

STEPHEN MINISTRY The following poem comes from Bill Nagle, a Stephen Minister at MacPherson Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Sometimes love comes knocking at the door; Not to judge, but to just be there through the thin times; Not to heal, but to allow God to heal; Not to be the answer, but to be a conduit; Not to have the words, when God fills the silent room; Sometimes love comes through and from a Stephen Minister. Are you being called? Stephen Ministry training starts in January. It will equip you and our congregation will support you so that you can show God's mercy, care and compassion to another who is hurting. Please speak to one of the pastors if you are interested in the Stephen ministry program in our church. We are a Stephen Ministry Congregation

Stephen Ministry is...
a program of our congregation that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one to one, same gender care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both in our congregation and community.

Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who...

• express God's care through their lives to others;
• receive 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts;
• are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their initial training;
• visit another person regularly and dependably and offer Christian support and care;
• participate in regular support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders;
• are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship;
• receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service.

Stephen Ministers meet the needs of people. There are times when each of us needs the care of another person, a Christian friend, a Stephen minister!
These needs include but are not limited to...

• the terminally ill and their families
• people who move into or out of our community
• those grieving a death or serious loss
• the homebound and institutionalized
• those with a job loss or crisis transition
• the aging and elderly
• those with disabilities and their families
• those needing the support of a Christian friend
• those facing life transitions
• the separated or divorced
• households experiencing birth or adoption
• those in spiritual crisis

Stephen Ministry is confidential ministry: those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.

About the Leaders of Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry...

Stephen Leaders are trained lay persons who have completed a seven-day Stephen Series Leader's Training Course and are commissioned to lead the Stephen Ministry of our congregation.

Our congregation's Stephen Leaders can....

• help you or someone you know receive care from a Stephen Minister;
• tell you how to become a Stephen Minister;
• tell you about Stephen Ministry training and our next training class;
• answer other questions about our congregation's Stephen Ministry program.

Are you in need or know someone in need? Then contact  our Senior Pastor, Larry Craddock 703-451-2375.

To find out more about this world-wide caring ministry, visit the Stephen Ministry website.