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Persons Experiencing |
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The loss of a loved one |
|
(person or pet) |
|
Major Life Changes |
|
(marriage, retirement, physical move, moving to a
nursing home or assisted living environment)
|
|
Changes in Employment |
|
(promotion, demotion, change in function)
|
|
Other Identified Needs
|
|
joblessness
|
family
member in crisis
|
|
change in
financial status
|
separation
or divorce
|
|
dependants
with special needs
|
medical
problems
|
|
chronic
problems
|
facing a
terminal illness
|
|
age,
disabilities, pain, disease
|
victimization of a crime
|
|
|
PREVENTIVE CARE
|
|
Proactive care that helps people anticipate and
prepare for potentially difficult
events. Such situations might include
|
|
A woman expecting a first child
|
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An employee approaching retirement
|
|
A young man or woman about to be married
|
|
A person preparing to move, including a move to a
nursing home
|
|
|
SUPPORTIVE CARE
|
|
Care for those who themselves are “care givers”
|
|
A spouse caring for a severely ill or dying husband
or wife
|
|
A parent with a special needs child
|
|
A person, who is a care giver for another who is
experiencing any of the needs for care described in
the care categories listed above
|
|
|
PERSONS FOR WHOM STEPHEN MINISTERS DO NOT PROVIDE CARE
|
|
Minors
|
|
Persons
seriously ill with mental or emotional disturbances
|
|
Persons
exhibiting suicidal behavior
|
|
Persons
manifesting violent behavior
|
|
Those
abusing illegal substances
|
|
|
As a person
in our current church leadership or as a member of our
congregation, you are invaluable in identifying and encouraging
potential care receivers to seek the assistance of a Stephen
Minister. In doing so, you are asked to observe the following
cautions: |
|
Always ask the permission of a potential care
receiver to bring his or her situation to the attention of a
member of the pastoral staff or one of the Stephen Leaders. |
|
Do Not promise the potential care receiver that
she or he will be given the assistance of a Stephen Minister.
While this will usually be the case, the Stephen Minister
Referral Coordinator must explain the conditions for the
relationship which may not be acceptable to the care receiver.
In addition, the person's need for care may not be the one that
a Stephen Minister can provide. |
|
Always, of course, maintain in confidence what the
person has confided, unless permission has been given to
disclose it to another. |
|
How to Get
Help from a Stephen Minister
|
|
We all know
someone experiencing one of those 'earthquakes in life'... |
|
Someone in
crisis or in other compelling need – who doesn’t know where to
turn; who is tense, upset, worn out – needing someone to talk
with, someone to care. |
|
You’d like
to help. But how? |
|
There are
three appropriate steps: |
|
(1) Listen
and care for your friend in your own relationship together.
|
|
(2) Ask
your friend for permission to share his or her need with someone
who can help and tell your friend that all information will
remain confidential. |
|
(3) When,
and only when, permission is given, advise one of the Stephen
Leaders whose names appear below of the need.
|
|
http://www.stephenministries.org/ |
Come Journey with Us ! 
If
you have gifts for caring, encouraging, and listening, please
begin to prayerfully consider whether you might want to be part
of this exciting ministry. If you think you might be
interested, talk with one of our Stephen Leaders.