Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is named for
St. Stephen, the first layperson commissioned by the
Apostles to provide caring ministry to those in need.
Stephen Ministers undergo extensive hours of training in
how to provide care and minister to people
when they are experiencing any number of life's
difficult circumstances such as terminal illness,
job crisis, divorce, grief, etc.. They are also trained
to recognize when to refer someone to a
professional. Stephen Ministry is a confidential
ministry: those receiving care can be sure that their
identity and what goes on in the caring relationship
will remain private.
www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/tag/stephen-ministry
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The Stephen Ministries
logo shows the path
from brokenness
to
greater wholeness
through Jesus Christ
and Christ's
people.
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"By
joining hands with Jesus Christ and with one another and extending
ourselves
into the community, we embrace and share God's love." |
How to Contact a Stephen Minister:
You
can receive additional information about the UMC Stephen
Ministry Program by speaking to our pastor or
you may call any of the Stephen Leaders, Bill
Jensen, Kim Jensen, or Wally Farrar, thru the church office at
(815)725-7632. All conversations concerning Stephen
Ministry are strictly confidential.
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Hug A Bear
The Stephen Ministers of Grace UMC have a new extension of their
ministry. Bears! The kind you love to hug. If you are
sitting near a bear in church, give it a hug and hold it for a while
or during the whole church service. The purpose of the bears is that
they soak up the love, hugs and prayers and may then be given to
someone in the hospital, nursing home or just at home who you feel
needs some of those love, hugs and prayers. If you would like
to give a bear to someone, sign your name, date, and the name of the
person to whom you give the bear on the sign-out sheet in the
narthex. This will help eliminate repeats and make it possible for
more people to receive a bear hug.
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"Bear one
another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians
6:2
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