Have you ever asked, or been asked, "What is Stephen Ministry?" Word has come back to us that some of you don't understand what our Christian Caring is all about. Briefly, it is "one on one" caring in a uniquely Christian way, but there is so much more to our program.
Have you ever suffered a loss, wherein you were unable to express yourself fully to those closest to you? Very often, your nearest family and friends are suffering the same loss, which makes it difficult to express your feelings of anger and frustration, sorrow, or even hysteria. These are quite normal in the grieving process, and you need to get them out in the open and deal with them. This is where the Stephen Minister comes in. He or she will listen to those normal, but uncomfortable, feelings with an open mind and without judgment.
The Stephen Minister, initially, goes through 50 hours of classes on such subjects as Feelings, Listening, Assertiveness, Process vs. Results, Confidentiality, Telecare and specific situations such as Dealing with Grief, Depression, Suicidal (?) persons, Super-vision, Opening and Closing a caring relationship.
Once commissioned and assigned the Stephen Minister attends semi-monthly Supervision sessions and Continuing Education. These classes include Caring for the dying, their family & friends, Hospitalization (before, during and after), experience with losses related to aging, Divorce, Pregnancy & Childbirth.
There is always an element of Spiritual Care included in each of these classes, and in all things Confidentiality is strongly enforced. In each experience we are always cautioned that we are the care givers. God provides the cure.
We hope that we have answered some of your questions, but, in the event you have other areas that puzzle you, never hesitate to approach one of our Stephen Leaders, listed below. They will always be happy to give you answers/solutions.
Maryanne Ferraro Kris Kidder Wendie Kister Barbara Peltier Kathy Sporre
453-1360 453-1721 486-1721 854-4664 855-1704
