St. Francis Cares Through STEPHEN MINISTRY

St. Francis Cares Through STEPHEN MINISTRY

On Sunday, June 3, 2012, at the 10:30am Mass, we are commissioning 8 newly trained Stephen Ministers:   Mary Lou Auchus, Janet Bourgon, Diane Davidson, Bryan Howay, Marilyn Jensen, Frank Meznarick, Gailann Smithseeley, Cathie Zmachinski.  

We ask the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance for them as they go out to bring Christ's care to hurting people. We also ask God's blessing on their ministry to their care receivers in the weeks, months, and years ahead. We thank God for their gifts, and we ask him to be present with them both in their times of joy and of sorrow as they bring God's care to those in need.  And we offer them our support and encouragement as our congregation celebrates the beginning of the caring ministry for our new ministers and the continuation for those who have ministered for several years now.

Just as Jesus commissioned his disciples to go out to minister to others in his name, we commission our Stephen Ministers to extend Christ's care on behalf of our congregation.  They have undertaken 50 hours of training that has provided them with the knowledge and skills to offer quality, distinctively Christian one-to-one care to people suffering from grief, loss, and other difficulties.

Our Stephen Ministers serve by meeting personally one-to-one for one-hour each week, as a good listener and companion for parish members who benefit from talking about their difficult journey.  This is a free ministry/service of our parish members. (This is not professional counseling, nor is this Spiritual Direction.)

Stephen Ministry at St. Francis began in August 2005. We are grateful for all of our 38 trained Stephen Ministers, especially these currently active: Mary Lou Auchus, Rich Badics, Janet Bourgon, Diane Davidson, Bob Ferris, Denise Fisher, Mark Gawronski, Donald Hobkirk, Bryan Howay, Marty Javornisky, Marilyn Jensen, Donna Johnston, Frank Meznarick, Sylvia Prather, John Shaheen, Karen Shellie, Pat Sherzer, Gailann Smithseeley, Nick Synko, Kathi Tobey, Scott Wright & Cathie Zmachinski.  

Stephen Ministers are "After People."   Stephen Ministers are there:

… after you've washed and returned the last casserole dish. 

… after the relationship has ended but the wounds are still bleeding and painful.

… after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away - and the house suddenly seems incredibly empty.

… after the divorce papers have been served and the bottom falls out of your life.

… after the doctors have said, "There's nothing more we can do."

… after the baby has arrived, putting more demands on you than you ever dreamed possible.

            Stephen Ministers are the "After People."  We are ready to come alongside you - or your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives - provide comfort and support for as long "after" as we are needed.

Become a trained Stephen Minister, a great listener & encourager or a Stephen Care Receiver.  If you are in need of confidential, one-to-one Christian care—or if you have a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative who might benefit from this kind of care contact the parish office: Scott Wright 821-2121 swright@stfrancisa2.org   Learn more at:   stfrancisa2.com/stephen/

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The Caregiver's Compass

Our Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders use this compass, with the Chi-Rho a symbol of Christ, as a guide for their ministry, always striving to provide Christ-like & Christ-centered care on behalf of our congregation.  The four points of the compass guide Stephen Ministers to be compassionate, full of faith, skilled, and trustworthy.