{"id":179,"date":"2014-01-16T16:23:44","date_gmt":"2014-01-16T20:23:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=179"},"modified":"2019-08-07T09:30:19","modified_gmt":"2019-08-07T13:30:19","slug":"stephen-ministry","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=179","title":{"rendered":"Stephen Ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stephen Ministry of Caregiving<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"StephenMinistryBanner_2018\"<\/a>All of us go through rough spots in life.\u00a0 Sometimes we need expert counseling or advice, but more often we just need someone to listen to us; a friend who can offer support.<\/p>\n

Our Stephen ministers are ready to support you.\u00a0 You’re not alone!\u00a0 Our congregation includes a core of trained “Stephen Ministers” who want to listen and share your burdens.\u00a0 They seek to offer care and encouragement, and meet with you in complete confidence.<\/p>\n

Check out the stories of people who have been helped through a crisis with the support of a Stephen Minister (click here<\/span><\/a><\/span>).\u00a0 The Stephen Ministries website also contains information about other resources that can help you through specific problems.<\/p>\n

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What is Stephen Ministry?<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Click here to learn more<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Stephen Ministry<\/strong><\/span> is a one-on-one ministry to someone who is hurting (e.g., Care Receiver).\u00a0It is quiet, confidential, compassionate, and provides a listening witness to the caring presence of Christ and His community.<\/p>\n

Stephen Ministers<\/strong><\/span> are lay Christians selected, trained and supervised to provide effective Christian Care. After an initial 50 hours of training, Stephen Ministers are assigned a Care Receiver with whom they meet once a week for about an hour.\u00a0Stephen Ministers also meet twice per month (2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month) for supervision, support and continuing education.\u00a0This is done in an environment of complete confidentiality. The names of Care Receivers are never mentioned. Stephen Ministers make a two-year commitment to the program.<\/p>\n

Motivation (Call to Action) for this Ministry<\/span>:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u201cBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God,\u00a0 For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 II Corinthians 1:3-5<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

Who can Stephens Ministers Help?<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Click here to learn more<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t