Dear Friends, 

It was more than 25 years ago that my family arrived at First Pres Berkeley at a friend’s invitation. “SPENT” is the word that best conveys how I felt physically, emotionally, and spiritually at that moment in my journey. My husband John and I had served in pastoral ministry for more than 20 years and the last several in California had been brutal, lonely, and exhausting. 

We needed a time for healing, refreshment, and regrouping. Thankfully we were met and held by God and his people on this very special corner. It was here at First Pres that I first encountered Stephen Ministry and the skills I learned through that training were transforming. Walking through my story with others as they walked through theirs and in an absolutely confidential setting was healing. I could breathe. I was so refreshed that I could even serve again. And serve I did—as a Stephen Minister. 

To me Stephen Ministry was—and remains—a bouquet of surprise. The “ahha” of discovering a new life skill, awakening to my calling as a Stephen Minister, and now leading an amazing team. All of this has most certainly been God’s doing! I simply cannot describe my joy when I see God’s hand working in and through the lives of commissioned Stephen Ministers, their care receivers, and Stephen Ministry Life Skills class participants. I am excited that we will commission new Stephen Ministers during worship on Sunday, June 24!

Grace and Peace,

Kay Ferguson
Stephen Ministry Director

Stephen Ministry: Grace In, Grace Out
Reflections from Care Receivers and Care Givers

We all experience challenges in life, times when we could benefit from the support of Christian compassionate care. Stephen Ministers are gifted, called, and committed individuals who come alongside others in our church and the wider community. Stephen Ministry at First Pres began in the mid-1980s under the leadership of Congregational Care Pastor Jim Larkin. Since then an estimated 1,000 have been trained with currently 45 actively serving. Stephen Ministers come alongside those facing difficult times, including loss, grief, transition, and change to name a few. They serve as an extension of pastoral care, providing confidential one-to-one support at no cost. Stephen Ministers are equipped through an extensive life skills training course that is Christ-centered, Spirit-guided, and Biblically based.
 
Stephen Ministers care for people in many ways. One care receiver said, “I started seeing my Stephen Minister about one and a half years ago. I had some deep trauma issues from my childhood that I had never dealt with. I used to have high levels of anxiety. Thanks to the loving care of my Stephen Minister, my anxiety levels have gone down considerably.” Stephen Ministers have listening ears, compassion, and their prayers are very encouraging. So much so that this person expressed, “It is a wonderful blessing to meet with her as she continues to show me unconditional love. Her acceptance and understanding has convinced me that God still cherishes me.” 

Serving others has many benefits to the Stephen Minister as well as those they care for. Longtime Stephen Minister, Jon Schmidt shared, “In 1984, I was deeply disturbed—emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually—by the death of my 20-year-old son and looking to God for 'why?'
I was looking everywhere for answers and found the Stephen Ministry class. There I found that a good question asks 'what?'" Stephen Ministers learn about their own losses in suffering while taking care of others. Jon continued, “My understanding of Christ’s love for me and my brothers grew. Next came the revelation that Christ had given me new life and purpose by being a Stephen Minister—not only for today, but for eternity. In retrospect, 35 years later, it is what I am called to do.”
 
Stephen Ministry Life Skills Training starts in September—with no obligation to become a Stephen Minister (this year's class is shown at right). Current Stephen Minister Rosita Young shares, “In Geneva Hall, a group of Stephen Ministers meet twice a month for Continuing Education, learning, and practicing new skills, then breaking into small groups for supervision, supporting each other to better care for ourselves and our care receivers. Even as I care for others assigned to me, Stephen Ministry has sustained me through my own grief journey: my father’s death, fighting cancer, and then facing a cancer relapse. Through it all, I learned to be a better care giver. Grace in, grace out. Compassionate care received and given as the Lord Jesus Christ has taught us—to me, that’s the spirit of Stephen Ministry.”