August Stephen Ministry Article
The After People –
Stephen Ministers Bring Help, Hope and Healing
Life often changes in an instant. The difficult part isn't only the crisis itself — it's all the days that come after.
That's where Stephen Ministers serve.
Stephen Ministers are trained lay caregivers who provide confidential emotional and spiritual support to people experiencing life's challenges. At New Song UMC, they walk alongside people in our church and community, offering Christian care, help, hope, and healing during life's many "afters."
That's where Stephen Ministers serve.
Stephen Ministers are trained lay caregivers who provide confidential emotional and spiritual support to people experiencing life's challenges. At New Song UMC, they walk alongside people in our church and community, offering Christian care, help, hope, and healing during life's many "afters."
STEPHEN MINISTERS ARE THERE
. . . . after the phone call in the middle of the night that changes life forever.
. . . . after the baby comes home, demanding more of her than she ever imagined possible.
. . . . after the funeral, when everyone has left and his emotions held at bay come crashing in.
. . . . after the email announcing a new round of layoffs suddenly appears in her inbox.
. . . . after the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing else we can do.”
. . . . after the youngest child pulls out of the hug and heads into the dorm — followed by a long drive back to an empty house.
. . . . after the retirement community director says, “Welcome to your new home.”
. . . . after the divorce papers are served and she wonders if she’ll ever trust anyone again.
. . . . after the gavel goes down, the handcuffs go on, and his loved one is led away.
. . . . after the fire, when rebuilding a home feels impossible.
. . . . after family and friends have heard the story one too many times, but he still needs someone who will listen.
Could God be calling you to walk alongside someone through life's difficult "afters"?
Training for new Stephen Ministers begins this September and includes weekly evening classes at the church. If you feel called to provide compassionate care to others, we invite you to learn more.
To express your interest, sign up on the interest sheet or contact the church office. Your caring presence could make a lasting difference in someone's life.
Questions? Contact the Stephen Leader Team: Ken Riddlesworth, Chaplain Kathy Norris, Pastor Kathleen Puntar or Pastor Misty Howick.
. . . . after the phone call in the middle of the night that changes life forever.
. . . . after the baby comes home, demanding more of her than she ever imagined possible.
. . . . after the funeral, when everyone has left and his emotions held at bay come crashing in.
. . . . after the email announcing a new round of layoffs suddenly appears in her inbox.
. . . . after the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing else we can do.”
. . . . after the youngest child pulls out of the hug and heads into the dorm — followed by a long drive back to an empty house.
. . . . after the retirement community director says, “Welcome to your new home.”
. . . . after the divorce papers are served and she wonders if she’ll ever trust anyone again.
. . . . after the gavel goes down, the handcuffs go on, and his loved one is led away.
. . . . after the fire, when rebuilding a home feels impossible.
. . . . after family and friends have heard the story one too many times, but he still needs someone who will listen.
Could God be calling you to walk alongside someone through life's difficult "afters"?
Training for new Stephen Ministers begins this September and includes weekly evening classes at the church. If you feel called to provide compassionate care to others, we invite you to learn more.
To express your interest, sign up on the interest sheet or contact the church office. Your caring presence could make a lasting difference in someone's life.
Questions? Contact the Stephen Leader Team: Ken Riddlesworth, Chaplain Kathy Norris, Pastor Kathleen Puntar or Pastor Misty Howick.
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