Stephen Ministers October 2020

by Penny Brill

Challenging Times

We are all living in a world that is turned upside down. We are missing the ability to come and go as we please. We are frustrated and unsettled by not seeing an end to these lifestyle changes and restrictions. We all miss meeting, greeting, handshaking and hugging. We miss time with loved ones who live in different cities. It is challenging to work at adapting to masks and social distancing for the good of others and our community.

To a degree, none of us can escape the anxiety, isolation and stress this year has brought.

Stephen Ministry is here and available to all who are finding this time just too overwhelming. We are trained to walk beside you when you feel you have lost the ability to cope. We offer support through the belief and power of God, faith, and prayer. Sometimes all of us need assistance in finding our way back to the understanding and role of God in our lives. Please reach out to the church for further information about this program.

This is also a time to consider that being a Stephen Minister could be a way you can give to others. We are hoping to start up a training class in the next several months. Understanding the situations, we all have found ourselves in, helps us to be compassionate, non-judgmental listeners. Our life experiences make us realize the role God has in our lives as the cure giver. We are not problem solvers, we are truly not able to “fix” each other, but we are able to listen and be there for others.

If you are thinking you might be a candidate for this ministry, reach to Alan Parsons at ltcparsons@bellsouth.net . He can certainly answer any questions you may have.

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive form God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Stephen Ministry:

Christ Caring for People

Through People