Stephen Ministry
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Stephen Ministry is a lay care-giving ministry that supplements pastoral care. The program teaches laypersons to provide one-on-one care for individuals who request support. The confidential care-giver and care-receiver relationship, usually conducted by weekly visits, may continue for months or years. Columbia has both men and women available to meet with you.
Our purpose is to care for those in times of hardship, grief, or other life struggles.
To find out more about Stephen Ministry, you can find their website here.
If you have interest in this outreach, either as a Stephen Minister or as a care receiver,
please contact one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders.
GIFTED TO CARE
Spiritual gifts are gifts to give away. God gives them to us, and we use them to serve others.
How are you using your gifts right now? Are you looking for a new way to use them?
If your spiritual gifts include one or more of the following – faith, mercy, teaching the faith, encouragement, or knowing – consider Stephen Ministry, our congregation’s one-to-one care-giving ministry.
This may be just what you’ve been looking for!
Contact Dick Petermann to learn more about this ministry. |
SMALL SEEDS, MIGHTY TREES
Paul wrote, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
Is it time to add more water to the seeds of faith that have been planted in you?
Consider serving our congregation as a Stephen Minister. God has plans for you to grow.
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GROW IN THE LORD
The more you focus on the Lord and do God’s work, the more you will discern God’s will.
Consider serving our congregation as a Stephen Minister. By helping others, you will help God’s kingdom grow-and you will grow too!
Contact Dick Petermann for more information.
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WANT MORE FREEDOM & JOY?
Did you know that there is joy and freedom when we put the needs of others ahead of our own?
Stephen Ministry provides this kind of care, freedom, and joy.
If you’ve ever thought about finding ways to bring Christ’s love to those who are hurting, you need to learn more about Stephen Ministry.
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YOU’RE NOT ALONE: WHAT A TEAM!
All good coaches will tell you that teamwork is important to win a game.
All who serve as Stephen Ministers become part of a team that helps people win life’s toughest battles.
Even though we are part of a team , we maintain confidentiality in regard to our care partners, their identity, and any conversations we have with them.
For more information, contact one of the Stephen Ministry Leaders above. |
GriefShare
A GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, you’ll discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability—and gain solid support each step of the way.
Health Ministry
The purpose of the Health Ministry Team is to provide congregational care through the integration of body, soul, and spirit.
HMT projects:
- Mental Health First Aid classes for adults and youth/adolescents: Trained HMT members teach classes several times a year to prepare individuals to work with adults and youth who are experiencing mental health issues.
- WeCare check-ins: The HMT and some volunteers provide a small gift and check in through twice yearly home visits to our homebound congregants.
- Circle of Friends Preschool: Nutrition classes for parents and caregivers of toddlers and preschoolers are the focus.
- Health Fair: An annual health fair, usually in the fall, offers resources and education from team members and community individuals/organizations.
- Education: A variety of classes, usually one-time, are offered as needs arise.
- Referrals/Community Resources: Guidance is sometimes needed to navigate the healthcare system or provide assistance to the pastoral staff on a case-by-case basis.