St. John's is preparing to introduce the Stephen Ministry program to assist the rector with pastoral care. Stephen Ministry trains and supervises lay persons engaged in pastoral care. Rev. Deacon Tim Spannaus and Kathy Stricker have attended one week training sessions.  St. John’s Stephen Ministry will begin with a weekend training retreat September 24-25.  We’ll meet Friday evening and Saturday to begin training Stephen Ministers.  If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, please see Rev. Deacon Tim Spannaus or Kathy Stricker for an application.  We must have your application by Sept. 15 if you want to begin training this month.   Links to more information on the Stephen Ministry are:
   o  Introduction to Stephen Ministry
   o  PBS Video on Stephen Ministry
   o  PBS Interview with founder of Stephen Ministries

Links to Stephen Ministry Website:
   o  Stephen Ministries Home Page
   o  Introduction to the Stephen Ministry - Including down the page:
       o  How the Stephen Series System Works (5 steps)
       o  Who Benefits from Stephens Ministry
   o  Current Facts and Stats on Stephen Ministry
   o  Stephen Ministries Definitions
   o  Leadership Training Courses
   o  Training Resources
   o  Information for Clergy
   o  Steps to Begin Stephen Ministry at St. John's
   o  Downloadable Resources
   o  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  
Introduction to Stephen Ministry:
    This program, new to St. John’s, is our implementation of a world-wide ministry.  The Stephen Series is now in more than 10,000 congregations from more than 150 Christian denominations, in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, and 23 other countries.  More than 55,000 pastors, church staff, and laypersons have been trained as Stephen Leaders (those who oversee and direct Stephen Ministry in the congregation) at a Stephen Series Leader's Training Course.  More than 500,000 people have trained as Stephen Ministers in their congregations.  More than a million people have received care from a Stephen Minister in a formal one-to-one Stephen Ministry caring relationship, and millions of others have received care from Stephen Ministers in informal ways.  In Stephen Ministry congregations, lay caregivers (called Stephen Ministers) provide one-to-one Christian care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge.  Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it. (from article in Sept. News & Views.)

PBS Video on Stephen Ministry
     The PBS "Religion and Ethics" news show recently aired an 8 minute feature that vividly describes how Stephen Ministry is changing lives in thousands of congregations. Includes the video clip, a transcription, and comments by viewers on the program.
      Share this Video - We encourage you to send an email with this video link to your clergy, Stephan Leaders, Stephen Ministers, so they can share it with family, friends, coworkers, and others to tell them about the exciting ministry they are involved in. The link to the video is www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/; then under Latest News page back to April 9th and then click on the "Stephen Ministery" feature.

PBS Interview with Rev. Kenneth Haugk, founder of Stephen Ministries  
     This is a link to an 8 minute interview with Rev. Kenneth Haugk, founder of Stephen Ministries. This is an extended version of the interview with him in the PBS "Religion and Ethics" piece on Stephen Ministry noted above.