Stephen Ministry
Barbara Day -- Larry Curcio

If you have a spirit of servanthood and gifts for helping, then you have a heart for Stephen Ministry. You will grow spiritually and in deep and lasting friendship.

Quotes from Stephen Ministers:

“I remember the visit when I was late and she cried when I got there. She thought I had forgotten.”

“I remember our weekly visits when he told me about his family, his beloved wife and their two sons who lived away.”

“I remember sharing his pain and the knowledge that his illness was terminal and the pain would only get worse.”

“I remember sharing our faith. She loved her Lord and graciously accepted where He led her. She taught me so much.”

“I remember the day when she could no longer speak and I stood by her bed, holding her hand and singing her favorite hymns she loved so much.”

“I remember the doctor coming in and saying, 'she can't hear you anymore.'”

Stephen Ministers are commissioned to “proclaim through word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ by nurturing, edifying, educating, and equipping the whole people of God who are called, gifted, and sent to be more effective servants who care for the needs of the whole person.” Stephen Ministers fulfill this mission in more that 5,000 congregations of many denominations nationally by providing one-on-one lay ministry to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge.  Stephen Ministers at the Chapel of the Cross are trained to assist our clergy in responding to the many pastoral needs of the parish.

During the past year the Stephen Ministry Program worked cooperatively with Project Compassion and Cornucopia House in sponsoring continuing education on the theme:  “Understanding And Supporting Those Who Suffer From Cancer.” These sessions were open to parish members. This venture was successful and will lead the Stephen Ministry Program to, again in the coming year, offer in cooperation with our Social Ministries Committee additional open sessions on the following theme. “Life Challenges: Helping Those in Need.”  Members of various community agencies have been invited to serve as resource persons.

Additionally, Stephen Ministers regularly call members of the parish who are listed on our Sunday morning prayer list, offering support, concern, and care as needed; this ministry has brought the program more fully to the attention of our parishioners who then may seek interest in our continuing education programs on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. during the academic year.

Seeking to respond in many ways to parishioners in need, the Stephen Ministry Program is working with the Rev. Victoria Jamieson-Drake, our valued clergy member, in establishing Care Teams in our parish. Some have received the Care Team Training Program offered through Project Compassion in Chapel Hill. This challenge was reinforced in Bishop Curry's message, “when we care for each other, we become closer to God.”  We are continuing to explore how Care Teams and Stephen Ministry can work together.

There are opportunities here for Stephen Ministers and Care Teams to work hand-in-hand emphasizing, for Stephen Ministers, the consistent listening to persons going through difficult times while Care Teams use the many skills available among its members in meeting many needs. The mission is to bring the comfort of Christ's love and healing to those who suffer in our church and community.