Caring ministry at Damascus/Friendship UMC is expanding, as three members completed their training in February 2009.
The 50 hours of Stephen Ministry training is broken down into twenty 2 ½ -hour sessions that are being held on Monday and Thursday evenings. This is a joint-training that also involves Stephen Minister trainees and Stephen Leaders from Ashton UMC, Chinese Bible Church of Maryland, Mill Creek Parish, Millian UMC, Oakdale Emory UMC, and Grace UMC. Our own Stephen Leaders from DUMC and Friendship will be leading the first three sessions. The remaining classes will be led by other Stephen Leaders at the other hosting churches.
Here are some of the varied and interesting topics that are covered in training:
- Feelings: Yours, Mine, and Ours
- The Art of Listening
- Distinctively Christian Caring
- Assertiveness: Relating Gently and Firmly
- Maintaining Boundaries in Caregiving
- Confidentiality
- Ministering to Those Experiencing Grief
- Caring for People before, during, and after Hospitalization
Our most recent Stephen Ministers are Penny Weeda, Peggy Chaney, and Cathy Heinbaugh. DUMC/Friendship will have trained 26 Stephen Ministers since beginning Stephen Ministry in 2005 and 6 Stephen Leaders.
More than a quarter-million people have gone through Stephen Ministry training in more than 10,000 churches worldwide since the ministry began in 1975.
“We’re definitely part of something big,” says Stephen Leader, Jan Mullinix. “The impact of Stephen Ministry on our congregation has been tremendous. People whose needs might otherwise slip through the cracks are coming face to face with Jesus’ love through their Stephen Minister. Our new class will help us touch that many more lives with the Gospel.”
(To learn more about Stephen Ministry, speak to a pastor or Stephen Leader. To request a Stephen Minister, contact our Referrals Coordinator, Pam Colborn at 301-304-0156 or by e-mail at moc.oohay|cmudyrtsinimnehpets#moc.oohay|cmudyrtsinimnehpets.)
