One-on-one confidential Christ-centered support
for folks experiencing personal difficulties.
Are you facing some troubling situation in your life that seems to be more than you can cope with on your own?
Consider sharing your struggles with a trained, caring Christian friend
who will walk with you through the challenging times in your life.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves
have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Stephen Ministers are members of the congregation who have been trained to provide one-on-one confidential Christian support and encouragement for those folks at SUMC and in the community who are enduring any of life’s many difficult circumstances including but not limited to:
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divorce or separation
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empty nest transition
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family members of those serving in the military
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financial strain
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homebound (disabled, residents of nursing homes, elderly shut-ins)
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hospitalization
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loneliness
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loss of a friend or loved one (death and broken relationships)
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major change in family (birth and adoption)
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relationship crisis (divorce, separation, conflict)
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relocation
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retirement
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serious illness
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spiritual struggles
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stressful life situations
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unemployment
Stephen Ministers are commissioned on behalf of the pastoral staff and congregation to serve a minimum of 2 years after receiving 50-hours of extensive classroom training. (Click here to view a typical Stephen Ministry training class schedule). To ensure the highest quality of Christian care, Stephen Ministers also participate in frequent continuing education sessions and meet twice each month to support, encourage, and help one another walk with those who are facing personal difficulties. Since the start of this caring ministry at SUMC in 1994, a total 85 Stephen Ministers have served including the most recent group commissioned in the fall of 2005.
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Current Stephen Ministers
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John Aiken
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Paige Choate (L)
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Kin Kinlaw
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Annette Armbruster
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Kathy Cook
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Mary Ann Kinlaw (L)
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Dana Baites (L)
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Judy DeRoach
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Ileen Meggison
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Phyllis Blosfeld
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Jon Ford
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John Mitchell
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Jan Bramble
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Karen Gobely (L)
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Louis Murray
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Tim Bramble
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Nancy Gunsallus
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Linda Sallee
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Janie Bryant
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Edith Jonathon
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Van Burton
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Beth Summerford
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Louise Choate
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Bobette Warren |
| L = Stephen Leadership Team | ||
To request a Stephen Minister for you or someone you love, you may either contact one of our Referral Coordinators:
Would You Like to Volunteer to be a Stephen Minister?
To volunteer as a Stephen Minister, click here
To volunteer as a Stephen Minister, click here
