Walnut Hills United Methodist Church

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Walnut Hills' Stephen Ministry (Updated April 19, 2006 )

Our Stephen Ministry:
A safe harbor where one serves through caring for others.

What is Stephen Ministry?

What kind of issues can a Stephen Minister help with?
What does Stephen Ministry not include?

Stephen Ministry at Walnut Hills.

Your Stephen Leader Team at Walnut Hills
Your Stephen Minister’s at Walnut Hills

Interested in requesting a Stephen Minister?

How do you go about requesting a Stephen Minister for yourself or for someone you think might benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister?
What happens after you request a Stephen Minister?
What happens after you are assigned a Stephen Minister?

Interested is serving as a Stephen Minister?

What is a Stephen Minister?
What kind of training does a Stephen Minister receive?
What kind of support can a Stephen Minister expect?
Who do you contact and what do you need to do if you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister?

What is a Stephen Leader?

What is Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry is a caring outreach Christian-based ministry that provides on-going support for the people of Walnut Hills who are struggling with many life issues. Another person from the Walnut Hills Community who has participated in 50+ hours of Stephen Ministry training will provide confidential one-on-one support and care. The Stephen Minister will meet with the person requesting care for approximately one hour a week.

What kinds of issues can a Stephen Minister Help With?

Here are just a few examples of life issues that a Stephen Minister can help with:

©       Illness or death of someone close to you
©       When you are experiencing an Illness
©       Divorce or separation
©       Parents with children/teenagers with special needs
©       Loss of employment
©       Relocation
©       Empty nest
©       Retirement
©       Loneliness

What does Stephen Ministry not include?

Stephen Ministry does not take the place of pastoral care. Our pastors will continue to provide the excellent pastoral care that you have come to expect at Walnut Hills. Stephen Ministry is just a step further when long-term care is need for a life crisis or life transition so the Walnut Hills community can continue to provide support when the crisis ends. The Stephen Ministry also does not take the place of assistance from a mental health professional or healthcare provider but can be in addition to those services.

How do I go about requesting a Stephen Minister for myself or for someone I think might benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister?

If you or someone you care about could benefit from having the support of a Stephen Minister, you may visit with any of our pastors or any of our Six Stephen Leaders. The pastor or leader will answer any questions and begin the referral process if appropriate.

What happens after you request a Stephen Minister?

The pastor or leader will contact our Referral Coordinator, Lynn Martin. Lynn will set up a confidential meeting with you to learn a little more about you and to determine if the Stephen Ministry program might meet your needs. Then you will be matched with the best Stephen Minister for you, taking into consideration your needs. Of course, your confidentiality will be respected.

What happens after you are assigned a Stephen Minister?

Your Stephen Minister will contact you to set up a time that would work best for both of you at a place where you will feel comfortable meeting. Your Stephen Minister will listen and provide confidential caring support for approximately one hour a week. Your Stephen Minister will be available to you for as long as you both agree it is beneficial to you.

What is a Stephen Minister?

A Stephen Minister is someone from the Walnut Hills congregation who is willing to share God’s love after having been interviewed and selected by the Stephen Leader Team. The Stephen Minister is also required to attend 50+ hours of training on the Stephen Ministry Program and is committed to providing care and support one hour a week to another who is experiencing a life challenge. Stephen Ministers are expected to attend supervision meeting and continuing education sessions held two times a month. Stephen Ministers commit to at least two years for training, service, and regular supervision. Many Stephen Ministers enjoy their ministry so much that they choose to serve beyond the two years because of the joy and fulfillment they receive.

What kind of training does a Stephen Minister receive?

A Stephen Minister receives 50 hours initial training in some key areas of the Stephen ministry program as listed: Christian care giving, listening skills, assertiveness, maintaining boundaries, confidentiality, and participating in supervision. The training will also contain information on depression, bereavement, suicide, terminal illness, long-term care, death, how to handle a crisis, when and how to use mental health professionals, and many other topics.

What kind of support can a Stephen Minister expect?

The Stephen Minister can contact a Stephen Leader at any time for assistance. A Stephen Minister will participate in supervision and continuing education twice a month. You will be supported by other Stephen Ministers in a small group atmosphere as part of the required supervision. Supervision is a place to ask questions and to express any concerns you have in your caring relationship.

Who do you contact and what do you need to do if you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister?

You may contact any of the Stephen Leaders or any of the pastors at Walnut Hills. You will be given the dates and times of the next training sessions, a job description for a Stephen Minister and an application form. You may return the completed application form to the church office. Once the application is received, you will be contacted to set up an interview.

What is a Stephen Leader?

A Stephen Leader is an individual who has participated in one week of extensive instruction in Stephen Ministry leadership. Stephen Leaders are committed to serving for 3 years. Stephen Leaders recruit, train, support and supervise Stephen Ministers. Stephen Leaders also help to educate others about the resources provided through Stephen Ministry.

Your Stephen Leader Team at Walnut Hills:

Mel & Joani Hollingsworth	Mel and Joani are the Stephen Leader Team Coordinators. In this role they will be responsible for the oversight of the entire program, organizing people and resources. They have been a part if Walnut Hills nearly since the beginning and are anxious to be part of their caring ministry as well. Joani's day job is that of a special education consultant fro the Des Moines Schools, Joani is also attending Lay Ministry School. Mel is an analyst for Wells Fargo and also is Walnut Hills' Building Superintendent. Mel brings a great deal of logical “down to earth” insight to our Stephen Leader team. He also provides organization to our meetings and a lot of humor. Joani is a fantastic listener and a kind and caring person. She also brings assertiveness and humor to our Stephen Leader team.
Vicky Burch and Pam Deeds	Vicky and Pam will work together to coordinate training, continuing education, and supervision for our Stephen Ministry. Vicky has worked as a computer analyst and trainer at Wells Fargo and Iowa State University. She taught Sunday School and is a volunteer for Wednesday Night Alive. Pam is an associate pastor and director of Education and Adult Groups at Walnut Hills. As an elementary educator for 10 years she has experience in teaching and instruction. Vicky and Pam, with the rest of the Stephen Leaders, will provide the Stephen Ministers with high quality training. As continuing education coordinators, they will ensure that every Stephen Minster is kept up-to-date on special topics and specific areas of concern. They will also oversee supervision of the Stephen Ministers to assist in applying skills learned in training. Vicky assists our Stephen Leader Team with organization by using her computer skills and her skills of finding things in our 35 lb box of materials. She also seems to have taken on the role of questioning and testing, as she is not afraid to ask the hard questions and she has experienced several life challenges herself and can assure you that the Stephen Ministry program works. Pam brings enthusiasm and energy that cannot be matched. We are especially blessed as we now have two ministers on our team. She provides spiritual insight and is also a very good listener and caring person.
Lynn Martin	Lynn is the Stephen Ministry Referral Coordinator. She is the Director of Student Counseling for Des Moines University. Prior to that Lynn supervised several programs at Lutheran Social Services and worked with adolescents and their families at Blank Children’s Hospital. As Referrals Coordinator, she will be responsible for matching people in need of care with a Stephen Minister. Lynn provides a wealth of knowledge and great communication skills. She is also a great listener and very caring. We appreciate the way she cares for the other leaders by making sure we have facilities, food, and assistance with whatever our team needs.
Doug Peters	Doug Peters coordinates awareness building. He has been the senior minister of Walnut Hills United Methodist Church since July 2002. Doug's role is to keep the congregation informed about Stephen Ministry in all of its aspects. Doug will also provide support and affirmations of Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders and assist in recruiting Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders. We are very blessed to have Doug serving on our team, as many congregations do not have ministers involved in their Stephen Minister Team. Doug brings spiritual insight and vision to our team. He is always providing us with affirmations, encouragement, and funny stories to keep us going.

Your Stephen Ministers Commissioned October 26, 2003

Brad Gannon Jean Jacobsen

Peggy Palmer-Johnson Del Shepard

Margaret Shepard Nancy Strickler

Your Stephen Ministers Commissioned February 20, 2005

Ann Apprill Neil Barrick

Christy Brown Kathleen Eastman

Susan Myers

Have questions concerning the Stephen Ministry? Email Mel & Joani.

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12321 Hickman Road Des Moines Iowa 50323
Phone: 515-270-9226 Fax: 515-270-0838 mandi@whumc.org