Stephen Ministers provide one-to-one, lay, Christian, care.
| • | One-to-one care usually lasts about an hour each week. Men meet with men and women meet with women. |
| • | As lay ministers, Stephen Ministers are trained and supervised ~ not professional counselors or therapists, pastors, or physicians. |
| • | Christian care is provided in the name of Christ. |
| • | Stephen Ministers care by listening, supporting, encouraging, and praying with their care receivers. |
Our care is confidential, supervised, and has limitations
| • | Stephen Ministry care is confidential at all times. Outside of the caring relationship, the person receiving care is always referred to as a "care receiver" and never by name. |
| • | Care is supervised by other Stephen Ministers, Stephen Leaders, and parish Priest, but always in a confidential way. Information that would identify a care receiver is never shared. |
| • | There are limitations to this care. Stephen Ministry does not provide care for minors, couples, families, or those needing the care of a mental health professional or physician. |
If you think you can use a Stephen Minister, you can follow the next steps.
| 1. | Call the St. Edward Church office or send an email and set up a meeting with Father Rod. If he thinks Stephen Ministry can help you he will put you in contact with the referral coordinator. |
| 2. | The referral coordinator will explain how Stephen Ministry works in more detail and determine the best available Stephen Minister to address your needs. |
| 3. | Once a Stephen Minister and Care Receiver meet, the relationship will last for as long as needs are being met. After a year's time a care receiver might enter into a new caring relationship with a different Stephen Minister. |
