By Birdie Lighthiser
Manakin Episcopal Church has four people who are undergoing 40 hours of training to become Stephen Ministers. Paul Davis, Jeff Lighthiser, Bryn Davis, and Birdie Lighthiser will be available for accepting care-receivers in April. This is the newest part of Pastoral Care at Manakin. In addition to all of the ways that we reach out to each other, this will provide caring at a different level. Galations 6:2 tells us, “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” These are laypeople who receive Christian caregiving training in their congregation and then provide one-on-one Christ-centered care to hurting people. Each Stephen Minister typically has one care-receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week. Men minister to men, and women minister to women. It is a completely confidential relationship. Who might need a Stephen Minister? People experiencing grief, divorce, cancer, financial difficulties, hospitalization, chronic illness, job loss, disabilities, loneliness, a spiritual crisis, or other life struggles. Stephen Ministers will not replace ordained clergy because there are certain tasks, duties, and responsibilities for which an ordained clergyperson is uniquely trained, qualified and called to perform. However, caring ministry is one area of ministry that pastors can delegate to or share with lay people who have the appropriate training and level of commitment. We look forward to bringing this meaningful new ministry to Manakin.