Sunday, June 19, 2011 Covenant's group of six Stephen Ministers were rededicated for another year of ministry. They are also celebrating three years of providing one-to-one pastoral caring for people inside and outside our congregation. Six Stephen Ministers have devoted hundreds of hours in weekly meetings with care receivers who have invited them to walk alongside them during a difficult or challenging period in their lives.
Marita has found joy in being part of this ministry: "It is a privilege to be useful to someone during a challenging time by listening and being a friend." If you are interested in learning more about this ministry, contact a
Stephen Leader: Barb Keish or Susan Tarr, or just ask anyone with a blue Stephen Ministry name tag.
Click here for a short PBS Program on Stephen Ministry
How can vulnerability be strength?
If you like to think of yourself as a strongly independent soul, ponder this thought from Sarah Parsons’
A Clearing Season: Reflections for Lent: THE CAPACITY TO EXPRESS vulnerability is a great human strength. We sometimes wish our vulnerabilities would disappear so we wouldn’t have to worry about hiding them. Without these pesky vulnerabilities, we could convince the world that we have it all together, that we have no unsatisfied needs, that we can care constantly for others and never need care ourselves… It is hard to let people see our vulnerable parts-our fears, and insecurities, our sadness and shame. To express vulnerability requires courage. Only in exercising this courage, in bravely showing our ‘weakness’ to another, do we achieve a form of real power-the power to ask for help when needed.
You might reflect on this message whenever you are feeling low and someone offers a helping hand-like making your dinner, running some errands, or just offering the ministry of “presence.” Show your strength and accept the offer! Or muster up your courage and ask for that helping hand. There are Stephen Ministers trained and ready to walk with you as you try to follow the path that life has set before you. Contact Pastor Beth or one of our Stephen Leaders if you want to talk about whether Stephen Ministry could offer the help-you or someone you know might need right now.
Covenant has been a Stephen Ministry church for three years now.
There are four trained Stephen Ministers and two Leaders at Covenant who have studied the Stephen Ministry method of Christian care giving. The ministry is totally confidential and if you meet with a Stephen Minister you are secure in knowing that everything you discuss is confidential. You are matched with a Stephen Minister of your own gender and the two of you arrange a schedule of meetings at your home or another place. Meetings are usually held once a week for about an hour. The relationship can go on for as long as needed. We encourage you to call Pastor Beth to put you in touch with a Stephen Ministry Leader who will further describe the ministry.
A favorite prayer of Stephen Ministers
“Do not look forward to what
may happen tomorrow, the
same everlasting Father who
cares for you today will take
care of you tomorrow and every
day. Either He shields you from
suffering or He will give
you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace then, and put aside
all anxious thoughts and
imaginings.”
St. Francis de Sales
Prayer
On Feb.
8 the Stephen
Ministry team plus about six more Covenant members braved the snow to attend the program on"Beating the Winter
Blahs."
Rev. Rick
Hudock of Professional
Healthcare Resources and his partner Cam gave us useful information about causes and help for winter blues. Reduced light, inability to get out, poor food habits, too many meds and lack of exercise topped the list of causes. Interaction with friends, family and church members provide the best way to start getting better. A phone call from a friend or church member is often enough to make the person feel "not so alone". Being present is a large part of care giving.
Rick talked about the need to watch for definite signs of true depression when professional care is needed. Involving the Pastor is often a good way to get help with this question.
Rev. Hudock preached at
Covenant last fall.
Blue Christmas and Stephen Ministry
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