What is Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry is a system through which members of Oregon City United Methodist Church are trained and organized to help provide Christian caregiving to members of our congregation and community.  This will multiply the amount of caring ministry our church can provide by giving us a whole team of skilled caregivers who are equipped to bring Christ's healing love to people who are grieving, in crisis, or experiencing other stresses in life.

Stephen Ministers
at Oregon City United Methodist Church

Stephen Leaders:
Lorene Lindas         Kathy Rock   
     Don Tonole           Marj Tonole  
Rick Florey        Sheila Florey

Orpha Caton

Stephen Ministers:
 Kitsie Parkinson        Joy Russell  
Roger Chinn               Hal Smith
    Judy Fox

Who benefits from Stephen Ministry?

Everybody benefits from Stephen Ministry.   Those receiving care from Stephen Ministers benefit because they receive prayer and support throughout the crisis they face.  Stephen Ministers benefit through the spiritual growth they experience from being involved in meaningful ministry.  Our pastor benefits because caring ministry at OCUMC is expanded, and fewer people will slip through the cracks.  Most of all, you benefit from the knowledge that special care is available to you should you need it.  In addition, you now have a place where you can refer a friend, neighbor, coworker, relative, or anyone else you know who is going through a difficult time so that they can receive special care when they need it most.  Stephen Ministry makes Oregon City United Methodist Church a much more caring place!
 

How Does Stephen Ministry Work?

When someone requests a Stephen Minister, Lorene Lindas, our Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator, will meet with that person, explain what Stephen Ministry is, and help determine whether Stephen Ministry is the kind of care that person needs.  Our Referrals Coordinator then matches that person with one of our available Stephen Ministers.  The Stephen Minister will then call that person and begin meeting with him or her for around an hour each week as long as the need is there.  Everything a care receiver says to his or her Stephen Minister is kept strictly confidential, even from other Stephen Ministers.  The Stephen Minister doesn't try to solve problems; rather, he or she listens, cares, prays, and helps the care receiver find his or her path to healing and wholeness.

There are several ways to start the process of obtaining a caregiver.  You can pick up a referral application from the table in the church lobby.  Just fill it out, seal it and put it in the Secretary's mailbox and it will go directly to the Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator.  You can also call the Referrals Coordinator, Lorene Lindas, at 503-228-0393.  Lorene  will set up a time to meet with you to determine how Stephen Ministry can help you.