In 2009, when First Congregational Church became a Stephen Ministry Congregation, a team of leaders was assembled and sent to the Stephen Leader Training in St. Louis, MO. The team included, Kay Quinney-Burnard, Cynthia Thorp, Dick Oelschlager and Ginnie Sherer.
Following the Leader Training, they returned to FCC with the goal of implementing Stephen Ministry at FCC. They were commissioned as the FCC Stephen Leadership Team at a worship service in June, 2009, agreeing to do the following:
- To build awareness of Stephen Ministry at FCC to solicit the commitment of FCC to Stephen Ministry
- To recruit, select, and train members of FCC to be Stephen Ministers
- To use the resources of our community to enrich the training and ongoing supervision of Stephen Ministry at FCC
- To work with Pastors Carol and Ralph DiBiasio-Snyder to identify members who could benefit from this confidential caring ministry
- To match the trained Stephen Ministry who most appropriately fits a person's need
- To supervise Stephen Ministers in this ministry and offer regular opportunities for continuing growth in the skills and practice of caring ministry
Training is provided by the Leader Team to selected individuals who are interested in serving in this ministry. At the completion of the first training in January 2010, seven Stephen Ministers were commissioned during a worship service to serve FCC.
The Leader Team continues to supervise the Stephen Ministers in their caring ministry and provide on-going training for continued growth in this ministry. Currently there are five more people being trained to be Stephen Ministers.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the leadership of this caring ministry, contact the Stephen Ministry Coordinator, Ginnie Sherer, or Pastors Carol or Ralph DiBiasio Snyder.
Bear one another's burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ. -- Galatians 6:2