PASTORAL CARE
Pastoral Care Ministries
The following ministries are comprised of dedicated parishioners who take the love and support of St. John’s to fellow parishioners who are in need. Contact Carol Clark, Parish Health Coordinator, to request services or to volunteer.
These ministries fall under the Parish Health umbrella. The coordinator for parish health is responsible to the clergy for assessing parish health needs by assessing, planning and implementing the ministries for different situations, and evaluating effectiveness with clergy guidance. Participates in weekly pastoral care meetings.
Service Ministries
Intercessory Prayer List (ICP): a group of parishioners who pray for specific needs of the congregation. Must be requested by an individual parishioner. Prayer requests and those who request them are confidential. A person requesting prayer is assigned to specific ICP member and remain on that member’s prayer list unless told that the prayers are no longer needed. This ministry may be done from home. This group meets monthly for support and discussion.
Meals Ministry: This group provides one or more meals to St John’s members who need assistance with food preparation during a recovery period. One of the largest ministries in the church.
Eucharistic Ministers (LEV): Communion taken to members’ homes upon request by confirmed adults who have undergone training and approved by Clergy and Bishop.
Home Visitation Ministry: This ministry visits home-bound parishioners who are unable to attend services due to illness or infirmities. Visits occur every 4-6 weeks.
Flower Ministry: Volunteers deliver the altar flowers after services to members who are unable to attend Church that week. Recipients are determined by the Clergy and a card and service bulletin are included.
Care Team Ministry: Care teams are formed as needed to assist parishioners with practical support during a member’s or family member’s recuperation. An example would be sitting with the homebound member to allow the caregiver to have free time. No nursing care is involved. This team is composed of several people who take turns offering assistance as needed.
Health and Well-being Ministries: Educational and supportive programs occur intermittently throughout the year.
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What is Stephen Ministry?
A proven and effective way to organize, equip, and support a team of congregation members, called Stephen Ministers, to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties.
Why the name Stephen?
In Acts 6, Stephen was among those chosen to provide caring ministry to those in need. Since Jesus’ time, caring ministry has been a hallmark of the Christian faith community.
What is the Stephen Ministries organization?
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Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit Christian education organization founded in 1975.
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Its headquarters is in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Its mission is to “equip God’s people for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12)
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A STEPHEN MINISTER AT ST. JOHN'S or DO YOU NEED A STEPHEN MINISTER?
Contact: The Rev. Wendy Merrill
In what types of situations do Stephen Ministers provide care?
Stephen Ministers provide care to individuals facing difficult times in life – grief, cancer, divorce, financial difficulties, hospitalization, chronic illness, job loss disability, a spiritual crisis, or other life struggles.
What does Stephen Ministry provide for our congregation?
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Hurting people receive distinctively Christian care when they need it most
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Clergy have more time for other areas of ministry
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Laypeople have the opportunity to use their gifts in ministry and see God working through them.