Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one, Christian caregiving ministry by trained lay persons (not clergy) of a congregation. Stephen Ministers are not counselors or Spiritual Directors. These individuals have a heart for compassion and caring and walk alongside persons who have been identified as benefitting from this type of relationship.
A Stephen Minister and Care Receiver relationship is very special. Those who typically request care from a Stephen Minister are going through a transition or turning point in their lives, such as grief, divorce, a new baby, a difficult health diagnosis, or a job loss. These persons might request a Stephen Minister for emotional and spiritual support for this season of their lives. Stephen Ministers meet with their care receiver once a week for about an hour. Topics of discussion are confidential and relationships are matched by gender.
All Stephen Ministers must complete 50 hours of the Stephen Ministries' course and are required to participate in ongoing bi-monthly supervision to ensure they are meeting the training standards. Stephen Ministers are not counselors or Spiritual Directors. They are lay, Christian caregivers who are uniquely trained to listen objectively without judgment. Those connected with a Stephen Minister may be a member or visitor of the church, or referred to the program.
Walnut Hill UMC is currently training a new class of Stephen ministers who will be available by mid-May. If you or someone you love could benefit from support by a Stephen Minister, please contact Martha Jacobson at mjacobson@whumc.com.
To learn more about Stephen Ministries, visit their website.
Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one, Christian caregiving ministry by trained lay persons (not clergy) of a congregation. Stephen Ministers are not counselors or Spiritual Directors. These individuals have a heart for compassion and caring and walk alongside persons who have been identified as benefitting from this type of relationship.
A Stephen Minister and Care Receiver relationship is very special. Those who typically request care from a Stephen Minister are going through a transition or turning point in their lives, such as grief, divorce, a new baby, a difficult health diagnosis, or a job loss. These persons might request a Stephen Minister for emotional and spiritual support for this season of their lives. Stephen Ministers meet with their care receiver once a week for about an hour. Topics of discussion are confidential and relationships are matched by gender.
All Stephen Ministers must complete 50 hours of the Stephen Ministries' course and are required to participate in ongoing bi-monthly supervision to ensure they are meeting the training standards. Stephen Ministers are not counselors or Spiritual Directors. They are lay, Christian caregivers who are uniquely trained to listen objectively without judgment. Those connected with a Stephen Minister may be a member or visitor of the church, or referred to the program.
Walnut Hill UMC is currently training a new class of Stephen ministers who will be available by mid-May. If you or someone you love could benefit from support by a Stephen Minister, please contact Martha Jacobson at mjacobson@whumc.com.
To learn more about Stephen Ministries, visit their website.
Stephen Ministry Continuing Education:
The Elder Financial Safety Center
Stephen Ministers don't stop learning when their training is complete. They attend continuing education once a month, on a variety of topics.
Senior financial fraud and abuse is the crime of the 21st century. Seniors are attractive fraud targets because they can be perceived to be vulnerable, may experience diminished cognition, have more predictable patterns, and may be less sophisticated about financial matters.
Seniors can take certain action steps to be less attractive to fraud schemes, such as staying socially engaged, keeping good company, not answering the phone (let the call go to voicemail or the answering machine), seeking unbiased financial counseling, and monitoring personal financial activity online.
The Elder Financial Safety Center provides a variety of other services for seniors, in addition to fraud prevention. They can provide protection for vulnerable older adults, and secure prosecution of case involving the exploitation and abuse of older victims through a special unit of the District Attorney's Office.
Contact the Elder Financial Safety Center at The Senior Source by phone (214-525-6130) or email efsc@theseniorsource.org.
View the Elder Financial Safety Information Sheet online.
Senior financial fraud and abuse is the crime of the 21st century. Seniors are attractive fraud targets because they can be perceived to be vulnerable, may experience diminished cognition, have more predictable patterns, and may be less sophisticated about financial matters.
Seniors can take certain action steps to be less attractive to fraud schemes, such as staying socially engaged, keeping good company, not answering the phone (let the call go to voicemail or the answering machine), seeking unbiased financial counseling, and monitoring personal financial activity online.
The Elder Financial Safety Center provides a variety of other services for seniors, in addition to fraud prevention. They can provide protection for vulnerable older adults, and secure prosecution of case involving the exploitation and abuse of older victims through a special unit of the District Attorney's Office.
Contact the Elder Financial Safety Center at The Senior Source by phone (214-525-6130) or email efsc@theseniorsource.org.
View the Elder Financial Safety Information Sheet online.
Walnut Hill UMC Stephen Ministry needs you
Are you an empathetic person who is present when people come to you in need? Do friends seek you out as a person who listens confidentially to their concerns? Would you be interested in developing and using your caring spiritual gifts?
If so, please consider becoming a Stephen Minister.
To learn more, speak to one of our Stephen Leaders:
• Martha Jacobson, Director of Congregational Care 214-357-5656 Ext. 226
• Cathy Bell, Stephen Leader 972-620-0665
• Rosie Taylor, Stephen Leader 214-358-2896
If so, please consider becoming a Stephen Minister.
To learn more, speak to one of our Stephen Leaders:
• Martha Jacobson, Director of Congregational Care 214-357-5656 Ext. 226
• Cathy Bell, Stephen Leader 972-620-0665
• Rosie Taylor, Stephen Leader 214-358-2896
