The After People –

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."

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.

What is Stephen Ministry? Stephen Ministry is a caring ministry of New Song UMC. Through Stephen Ministry, our church provides high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people in our congregation and community who are experiencing life's challenges.

Who are Stephen Ministers?  They are members of our church who have completed 50 hours of training to provide one-on-one, Christ-centered care. Each Stephen Minister is paired with a person who is facing a difficult time in life – men are matched with men, women with women – and meets weekly for an hour with that person to listen, encourage, pray, and provide compassionate support.

I’m going through a rough patch in my life – can a Stephen Minister help me? Stephen Ministers walk alongside people experiencing a wide range of challenges -- grief and loss, divorce or separation, job loss or transition, loneliness, illness or hospitalization, caregiving responsibilities, major life changes and other personal struggles. You don’t have to face these challenges alone.

How can I connect with a Stephen Minister? To learn more or request a Stephen Minister, contact Pastor Misty or Chaplain Kathy. They will guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have. All requests and conversations are handled with care and confidentiality.

Interested in becoming a Stephen Minister? 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. For questions, contact a member of the Stephen Leader Team: Ken Riddlesworth, Chaplain Kathy Norris, Pastor Kathleen Puntar or Pastor Misty Howick.

Where can I find more information?  Visit the Stephen Ministry website to learn more about this caring ministry: stephenministries.org

Stephen Ministers are lay people of our congregation who are specially trained to listen, care, encourage, and support people who are going through tough times. After going through 50 hours of training -- learning how to listen well, have empathy, keep confidentiality, bring caregiving and more -- they give high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in our congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties.  Our Stephen Ministers have helped individuals experiencing challenges in life – loss of a loved one, divorce or separation, job crisis or unemployment, chronic illness or hospitalization, recovery after an illness or a disaster, a spiritual crisis, discouragement, loneliness, family changes or crisis, and other life challenges. They have made a real difference in the lives of people who are hurting, especially with connecting persons with Jesus’ healing love during some of the hardest times in their lives. This year, Stephen Ministries, based in St. Louis, Missouri, celebrated it’s 50th anniversary.  New Song UMC has had Stephen Ministry as a part of our church for over twenty years.

Interested in becoming a Stephen Minister? Training for new Stephen Ministers will begin this September – with weekly evening classes at our church. There is a sign-up sheet to express your interest or you can contact the church office.

Questions? Contact one of our Stephen Leader team – Ken Riddlesworth, Kathy Norris, Pastor Kathleen Puntar or Pastor Misty Howick.