First Church is a Stephen Ministry congregation, which means that we have available lay caregivers called Stephen Ministers to provide one-to-one Christian care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it.
At First United Methodist Church, we have 8 trained Stephen Ministers available to assist you when you are facing a life-challenge or crisis. These "distinctively Christian care-givers" have received 50 hours of initial training, on-going continuing education through regular supervision sessions, and are commissioned by FUMC to serve the congregation and the community in this ministry.
Who Benefits from Stephen Ministry?
People Who Need Care . . .
- Receive confidential care for their hurts and needs
- Find hope, healing, and a new sense of self-worth through the support of a Stephen Minister
- Know they are remembered and supported by their congregation in times of personal difficulty
- Receive ongoing care for continuing needs long after the onset of a crisis, when many others have forgotten about them
- Grow in a deeper relationship with God as they experience unconditional love through their Stephen Minister
Stephen Ministers . . .
- Discover, cultivate, and use the spiritual gifts they have been blessed with
- See themselves as active partners in the mission and ministry of the church
- Find all aspects of their lives enriched by the distinctively Christian care-giving skills they learn and practice
- Experience great joy as they see God working through them to bring hope and healing to a hurting person
- Grow spiritually as they experience the Lord's loving presence in community with other Christian caregivers
If you think you could benefit from this kind of care, or if you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact Pastor Kathi McShane.