Stephen ministers usually serve at least two years after an initial 50 hours of training provided by Stephen leaders and pastors. Stephen Ministries of St. Louis provides the curriculum and training for the ministry, which now provides care in more than 12,000 congregations worldwide. (See stephenministries. org for more information.)


Confidentiality is a cornerstone of this distinctly Christian caregiving. “In fact, the only people who will know that a caring relationship even exists are the care receiver, the Stephen minister, the Stephen leader who made the assignment, and possibly a referring pastor,” says Sarah Mosser, Stephen leader referrals coordinator. After assignment, a Stephen Minister generally meets with his/her care receiver once a week for about one hour, continuing to meet until the crisis is over.


NEW STEPHEN MINISTERS


COMMISSIONED Class of 2019 features equal number of men and women BY BOB MARTIN, STEPHEN LEADER


When eight men and women were commissioned as Stephen Ministers on May 18, they joined 34 other members of our congregation who have been trained to provide one-on-one, confidential Christian care and support to people in our congregation and the Lehigh Valley community who are facing illness, sadness, grief, hospitalization, divorce, or other difficulties such as fear, pain, or loneliness.


Four men joined four women to make up the 2019 class. Te addition of the four men will allow FPCA to provide care for an increasing number of prospective male care receivers. Our new Stephen ministers are Andy Baranek, Estela DeRosa, Dennis Dries, Sue Farnelli, Don Jacobs, John R. Lucas, Andrea Olmsted, and Ashley Santo.


Since its inception at FPCA, our Stephen Ministry has


provided confidential Christian care to more than 75 people in the congregation.


“Te most significant thing we learn as Stephen ministers is the power of caring and listening,” says Becky Tacca, Stephen leader team coordinator. “Our role isn’t to solve problems for people but to help them through prayer, trust, and support—to find strength and courage.” When people speak their concerns. they no longer shoulder that burden alone.


10


FPCA’s active Stephen Ministers participate in twice monthly peer supervision and continuing education sessions supervised by current Stephen ministers Pam Derverics, Dorrie Graul, and Beth Moore, guided by Sarah. Pastor Stephen Emick recently completed Stephen leader training in Pittsburgh, and has joined the leadership team as staff coordinator and Stephen leader.


One care receiver has expressed her relationship with her Stephen Minister this way: “It’s nice to know that that you can count on someone like a Stephen minister who will be there for you, who takes the time to listen, and wants to help you. I know that my Stephen minister is listening to me when, at the end of every session, she summarizes what I said in a prayer and asks God for guidance and support. It amazes me every time! Tere is a sense of comfort and confidence knowing that you can talk about whatever is on your mind. I am so thankful for Stephen Ministry.”


If you could benefit from the care of a Stephen minister, please contact Stephen Emick at 610-395-3781, talk with a Stephen leader such as Becky, Sarah, or Bob Martin, or another one of our pastors.


way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” — GALATIANS 6:2


Above, from left, front: Andrea Olmsted, Ashley Santo, Estela DeRosa, Sue Farnelli. Back: John R. Lucas, Dennis Dries, Andy Baranek, Don Jacobs.


“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12