Aldersgate Church has been a part of the nationwide Stephen Ministry program for the past eight years. 
At this time we have five trained Stephen Ministers who stand ready to use their skills in compassionate caring for those experiencing a time of difficulty such as serious illness, loss of employment, new parenthood, retirement, depression, relocation, or grief over the loss of a loved one. A Stephen Minister is able to be especially helpful because he/she has an objectivity that close friends and family of the distressed person cannot have. It has been my observation, during the almost twenty years I’ve been associated with the program, that God’s love shines through the Stephen Minister to the one in need. 

Our church will hopefully join this fall with Heritage United Methodist Church in offering the training required of Stephen Ministers. It consists of fifty hours, which may seem daunting, until one realizes that it enables you to have confidence in your caring skills, while at the same time being useful in your personal life. As Christians, we have a mandate from Jesus to assist the least, last, and lost in whatever ways we possibly can. 

The church’s current Stephen Ministers are Glenda Fish, Gloria Echalier, Kathy Goudelock, Ruth and Roger Rucker, and Jeff Smith. Please feel free to ask any of them or Pastor Shelly about the program. If you would like a Stephen Minister assigned to you or to a loved one, contact Pastor Shelly or Glenda Fish.

STEPHEN MINISTRY

...when you or someone you know is in need of care...

 

What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus' command to "love one another." (John 13:34). Through one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them.

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 loneliness you may be experiencing.

A Stephen Minister is...

A child of God who walks beside a hurting person.

A caring Christian friend who really listens.

A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care.

 

A Stephen Minister is NOT...

A counselor or therapist.

A problem solver.

A casual visitor.

 

 

Glenda Fish serves as Aldersgate's referrals coordinator. If you or someone you know could use the resources of this "quiet caring ministry," please contact Glenda or the church office for a referral.