Stephen Ministries

First United Methodist Church Omaha NE

Stephen Ministries

April 20 marks a time of growing interest in Stephen Ministry for First United Methodist Church. We have installed Elizabeth (Liz) Boyer as a new Stephen Leader for our church. She has been a Stephen Minister and accepted the challenge to go to the national Stephen Ministry headquarters in St. Louis, MO for training as a leader. She has now joined the other Stephen Leaders in organizing our ministry for this church and community.

At the same time we have commissioned as Stephen Ministers: Peter Lam Puol, Kathy Toupin, Ken Peters and Claudio Bueno. (Claudio’s employment here has ended and he has returned to Brazil, hoping to come back to Omaha again.) These persons have attended fifty hours of training provided by our Stephen Leaders and are now serving the church by visiting with persons who have been affected by “life changing” situations. They go as a caring presence and express the concern of the congregation for physical and emotional health as well as hope for the future.

Stephen Ministry is a lay extension of the pastoral care ministry of our clergy. They visit in hospitals, care centers, homes or meet people in other places. You might see them in the church wearing the familiar blue Stephen Minister badges. If you would like to join this ministry we will recruit a new class in the fall.

Stephen Ministers are provided by First United Methodist Church to assist persons in a variety of stressful situations. Call 556-6262.