Your Stephen Ministry Program is alive and well at Venice Presbyterian Church.  Please note, I said YOUR program.

Yes, Stephen Ministry belongs to all of us.  It is up to us to not only do our best to bring this caring ministry to those in need in our church and community, but to use it ourselves.

How can we do that?

Begin by learning about Stephen Ministry through the Messenger and this publication.

·          Call any one of the Stephen Leaders with your inquiries.  Stephen Leaders Pastor Burke Johnson, Lois Armstrong, Bonnie Johnston, Jack Perkins, Pat O’Gorman and De Simon will answer your questions and concerns.

·          Stephen Ministry is for all of us whenever we have a problem or concern.  A Stephen Minister is there for us when we need someone to listen with confidential Christ-like caring.

There is good reason we do not hear about the extra ordinary success Stephen Ministry has had over the past six years.  Everything is kept confidential and confidentiality is always essential!

The 22 current Stephen Ministers have brought God’s healing power, peace, and serenity to the many they have served.  Two people willingly share their feelings with us about Stephen Ministry. 

Pat O’Gorman,

Stephen Leader

My Stephen Minister had the patience and understanding for me to share my inner thoughts and feelings of sadness and hurt I was experiencing.  I could talk to my Stephen Minister about all my stresses.  I would save the stressful thoughts up for our next meeting and talking about them would relieve me of the buildup.

 
“My Stephen Minister was there with me in spirit as I went through the anger, fear, and sadness of my husband’s physical and mental deterioration and eventual death.  When his health continued to fail, my Stephen Minister helped me stay more caring and giving to his needs.  We would often walk and talk our visits.  And later we shared reading inspirational books together.”

Confidentiality Honored

Name Withheld

Pray for one another, so that you may be healed.

James 5:16

And yet another uplifting sharing:

“I am someone who has been able to take advantage of our church’s Stephen Ministry program.  I was a little reticent at first, not knowing exactly how the service worked.  I was assigned a wonderful, caring, and insightful woman whom I immediately liked and trusted.

“My life was in great turmoil and with her sensitivity, understanding, and prayers, I was better able to deal sensibly with the problems and stabilize my thinking.  She never gave advice—just listened very caringly and made some suggestions when appropriate.  This encouraged me to problem solve, heal, and grow.

“What a comfort it was to know that someone, non-judgmental, was in my corner.  With her objectivity, support, and prayers, I was able to connect more closely with my God and ease the painful feelings I was experiencing.”

“This Christian helper has become my friend.  We will continue to see each other from time to time as few problems are completely solved immediately.  It is so wonderful that our church can offer its parishioners this confidential service.  I strongly urge others to take part in it.”

Confidentiality Honored

Name Withheld