Stephen Ministry

 

God has blessed us all with unique gifts and talents.  With His help He can use your gifts of compassion, patience, faith, mercy, and encouragement to become a Stephen Minister.

 
 
 
What’s New About Stephen Ministry???
Over the past several years, many St. Peter’s
members have found comfort and Christian assurance
through the support of our Stephen Ministers. We are
now expanding our one-on-one support to also offer a
Visiting Team. Two of our members—Kim Hake
and Don Gillette—have expressed a desire and a need
to serve those in our congregation who may be hurting
in some way. They have attended training sessions
and are ready to serve together with a Stephen
Minister as part of a Visiting Team. Stephen Ministers,
along with our newly-trained visiting partners,
will be dedicated in all services this weekend. If you,
or someone you know, would like to receive caring
support from this confidential ministry, please contact
Pastor Haller or the church office.
 
 
 
 
 

What Is a Stephen Minister?  

 
People often ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?”

 

One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the 

After People.

 

Stephen Ministers are laypeople—Christian men and women—trained to provide one-to-one care to people experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, relocation, or separation due to military deployment

 

Stephen Ministers are there:

after 

the phone call you hoped you’d never get.
 

after 

the divorce papers are served and the bottom falls out of your life.
 

after 

the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you.
 

after 

the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing more we can do.”
 

after 

the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, “Welcome to your new home.”

 

after 

the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away—and the house suddenly seems empty.
 

after 

the gavel goes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away.
 

after 

the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible.
 

after 

you find a pink slip with your final paycheck.
 

after 

your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.

 

Stephen Ministers are the “After People.” They are ready to come alongside you—or

your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives and provide comfort and

support for as long as needed.

 

If you sense that God is touching your heart to serve as a Stephen Minister, the first step is to find out more about getting involved. 

Please contact the church office, 586-727-9693

Marjorie Rosenow or Carmen Neaton

 

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ 

(Galatians 6:2, NRSV).
Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in congregations that use the 

Stephen Series system.

Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.