Category: Blog

Why Stephen Ministry at First United Methodist Church Winter Park?

Stephen Ministry is not new to our congregation and the community of Winter Park.  Stephen Ministry was launched at FUMCWP on October 7, 1991 almost 30 years ago.  We have had 8 trained Stephen Ministry Leaders come through this church.  Robbi Walker was the first Stephens Leader in 1992, followed by:  Patsy Hamlett, Vance Rains, Gail Houk, Penny Barcus, Katherine Marshall, John Armstrong and Lou Williams.  This year in 2021, we will add Dr. Thomas Cullens.  God is faithful to FUMCWP and is restarting Stephen Ministry after being inactive for many years.  Stephen Ministry Leaders will train church members as Stephen Ministers to become lay caregivers who can step in and help pastors minister to those in need of care.

Our pastors will always be on the front lines of care, providing for the needs of the congregation.  However, we all know there are more needs for care than the pastors and church staff can meet on their own.

Stephen Ministry is an extension of pastoral care by helping more people receive care, on a regular basis, for a much longer period of time, than pastors could provide alone.  Stephen Ministers care for those suffering through grief, divorce, hospitalization, job loss, terminal illness, loneliness and other difficulties.  Stephen Ministry gives lay people an opportunity to assist pastors in a meaningful way by carrying some of the caregiving load.

In short, Stephen Ministry helps carry out the mission of the church.

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Join Forum in their LENTEN CHALLENGE to share their blessings with those struggling economically by providing disposable diapers to the Hope Partnership in Osceola County.  The Partnership is in need of diapers sizes 4-7 and pull-ups.  If you would like to donate, drop your diapers in the Red Rendezvous with a sign “Donated Diapers Here” at the east end of the church parking lot on Interlachen. Forum will be collecting diapers now through Wednesday, Mar. 24.  You can also order from Amazon and have them delivered directly to the Hope Partnership, use the link below. Make sure to leave a note of encouragement with your donation!

Thank you for joining us in our Lenten Challenge!

We all go through tough times in life. Times that are turbulent and unsettling. During such challenging seasons, it can be extremely helpful to have someone come alongside us to give understanding and encouragement – to provide stability, hope, and biblical principles to help us through the storm.

This is what a Stephen Minister can provide: a listening ear, a supportive perspective, and God’s Word to help us through the challenges of life. We are bringing back to life the Stephen Ministry program at FUMCWP.  Having experienced how vital Stephen Ministry is to the individual care of our members, Rev. Rachel DeLaune has pulled together a team to re-start this ministry and further our mission and ministry.

Stephen Ministry offers an effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of congregation members—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in or congregation who are experiencing life difficulties.

Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation, trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing things such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation.

This care is entirely confidential—no one knows the identity of a care receiver except for their Stephen Minister and the pastor or Stephen Leader who paired them together. 

From those who have previously received care, a young woman described how her caring relationship with her Stephen Minister allowed her to experience Jesus in a personal, tangible, life-transforming way. In another instance, a man shared how he and his Stephen Minister built a highly trusting relationship, apart from his regular circle of friends, so that he could move forward through a tough time in his life.   

Stephen Ministry multiplies blessings throughout the church and community.

• Congregations carry out Christ’s commandment to “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12 RSV) in a powerful and practical way.
• Pastors have a team of gifted, trained, and committed lay caregivers ready to minister to hurting people.
• Laypeople nurture and use their gifts in meaningful ministry, growing spiritually as they serve others.
• People who are hurting have a caring Christian presence to provide emotional and spiritual support.

For more examples of when a Stephen Minister can assist, visit Stephen Ministers: The After People.

Watch for more information on Stephen Ministry in the coming weeks, and please begin to pray for a successful re-launch of this vital ministry.