WORKSHOP - Saturday, May 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The half-day workshop consists of three sessions designed to enhance participants' caregiving skills and to help congregations explore ways to expand their caring ministry.  The workshop is sponsored by Stephen Ministries, a St. Louis-based Christian training organization that has been providing congregations with training and resources for Christian caregiving for more than 30 years.

Participants will learn about the grief process and how to minister to the grieving.  They will also be introduced to the Stephen Series training process and learn how to use resources such as prayer, blessings, and Scripture in caring for others.

When: Saturday, May 5, 2012 - 9 am to 1 pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church Social Hall
Cost: $15 per person, $50 per congregation (Free to First Pres members)

REGISTER: First Pres members contact Rev. Melissa Anne Rogers to register.

Visit www.stephenministry.org/workshop, Call Stephen Ministries at 314.428.2600

Download our new brochure about Stephen Ministry at First Presbyterian Church.

Congratulations to First Presbyterian Church for celebrating five years of Stephen Ministry!

Please note - the NEW PHONE EXTENSION for Stephen Ministry is 662-4466, ext. 388.

WHAT IS THIS MINISTRY?

Stephen Ministry is a model for caregiving ministry first developed in St. Louis by a minister and psychologist, Dr.Kenneth Haugk, PhD. Today there are more than 10,000 Stephen Ministry programs in the world. This model has been used at First Presbyterian Church since 2006.

The name Stephen comes from St. Stephen, the first layperson the Apostles commissioned in Acts 6 to provide caring ministries to those in need.

In this ministry of listening, a trained lay person becomes a caregiver to a care receiver, a person of the same sex, who is dealing with needs, concerns, or struggles that would be made easier with support and prayer.

WHY IS THIS MINISTRY NEEDED?

Pastors will always be available during times of crisis, but there are more needs for ongoing, personalized care than pastors can meet by themselves. Stephen Ministry is a biblical solution for equipping those specially gifted in our congregation for caregiving. Lay people are trained to support and extend the care that pastors continue to provide. Stephen Ministers reach out to those hurting, both within our church family and throughout the community.

WHO IS A STEPHEN MINISTER?

A Christian who walks beside a person who is hurting

A congregation member with gifts for care giving

A layperson carefully selected, who has received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care

A caring, Christian friend who listens, cares, makes no judgements, prays, supports, and encourages.

Someone who will meet faithfully with his or her care receiver, for about one hour each week, for as long as there is need.

A person who adheres to very clear guidelines on confidentiality.

HOW DO YOU BECOME A STEPHEN MINISTER?

A Stephen Leader or staff member can provide you with the information you need to get started. The process includes an application, a brief interview, and 50 hours of interactive training. Contact the Stephen Leader Training Coordinator at 734-662-4466, ext 388, for more information.

CAN A STEPHEN MINISTER HELP YOU?

Could you benefit from confidential, one-to-one care and support of a Stephen Minister? If you or someone you care about is interested, please contact us by callilg a pastor or Stephen Leader, calling the Stephen Ministry private voice mailbox at 662-4466. ext. 388, or emailing the Referrals Coordinator at sministry@firstpresbyterian.org.

WHEN IS IT NOT APPROPRIATE TO USE STEPHEN MINISTER?

People coping with emotional and physical burdens may be in need of professional care.

Stephen ministers are not therapists. Care receivers unter the care of a mental health professional must receive permission of that professional in order to be assigned a Stephen Minister.

Stephen Ministers do not run errands or provide meals. They are not problem solvers, but focus on a ministry of listening, help, and giving support.

Stephen Ministers are not service providers. They are care givers, not cure givers.

For an interview between two of our Stephen Ministers, and the local senior resource show, "Everything Elderly" click below: