Stephen Ministry

STEPHEN MINISTRY
Christ Caring for People Through People

Are you hurting? Are you struggling? Are you discouraged? Are you stressed?
Are you confused? Are you broken?

We all face challenges in life – times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty, such as –

• Loss of a spouse, family member, or friend
• Hospitalization
• Separation or divorce
• Loneliness or discouragement
• Spiritual crises
• Unemployment or job crisis
• Retirement changes
• A terminal illness
• Aging
• Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility
• A chronic illness
• Relocation
• Recovery after an accident or disaster
• Any other concern

Our church’s Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.

The CUMC Library has a section devoted to the The Stephen Ministry. It has many books to check out dealing with:

Christian Living, Devotion & Prayer, Comfort & Care, Grief & Loss, Suicide, Drugs & Alcohol, Fears, Stress & Depression, Healing, Aging, Aids

A Stephen Minister Is …

• A congregation member with gifts for caregiving who has received one year of training in providing emotional and spiritual care to those in need
• A caring, Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages
• Someone who will “be there” for someone who is hurting, meeting faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there is a need

Do you know someone else – perhaps a friend, neighbor, coworker or relative who could benefit from a Stephen Minister?

Are you interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister?

For more information, contact Rev. Reed Swanson, Associate Pastor, at rswanson@clarkstonumc.org or in the church office at (248) 625-1611, ext. 224.