STEPHEN MINISTRY

The Stephen Ministry program at St. Clement’s equips lay persons to provide one-on-one Christian care for people experiencing a wide range of life’s problems and challenges.

Based on Jesus’ command to love and care for one another, Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry so that those receiving care can be sure that their identity and situation will remain private. Stephen Ministers work with the clergy at St. Clement’s and a member of clergy is a member of the group. Stephen Ministers are committed Christians who . . .

* Express God’s care through their lives to others
* Receive 50 hours of training in caring ministry skills and concepts
* Receive continuing education and skill-building through their years of service
* Visit a care-receiver regularly and dependably, on a one-on-one and same-gender basis
* Are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship
* Participate in regular support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders.

Stephen Ministers care for those who are hospitalized, terminally ill, grieving a death or other serious loss, experiencing a job crisis, homebound and institutionalized, separating or divorcing, or just in need of a Christian friend. These are among the many situations to which Stephen Ministers will respond.

Care may be short-term or longer-term and may be in person or by telephone, whatever suits the care-receiver. If you would like to have a Stephen Minister personally or for a friend or relative, what should you do? If you would like to receive a visit from a Stephen Minister, you should call: The Rev’d Canon Richard Tanner at 416-483-6664 or Stephen Leader Gary Shaw at 416-587-7614. They will select an appropriate Stephen Minister who will then contact the potential care-receiver.