Stephen Ministry: Jane Melms

About 35 years ago, a small group of pastors were gathered for morning coffee.  Their conversation turned to a frequent topic: lamenting the challenge of providing pastoral care like they wanted to.  Out of this discussion, a lay ministry designed to extend pastoral care was born. At AHUMC, more than a dozen people have received the requisite 50 hours of training provided to those who have heard the call to be Stephen Ministers.  They then provide the listening ear and caring heart some people need during stressful times in their lives. We have provided Christ-centered support to members of our congregation as well as our community, and in doing so extend the reach of pastoral care by approximately 1500 hours a year.  

While this is important information, those of us involved in this ministry would say the one:one relationships and the relationships we have built with each other are the greatest blessings.  Confidentiality, listening, and trust are cornerstones of Stephen Ministry. As we practice these covenant skills, we help our care receivers feel the love of Christ while they heal in their own time and way. We are not professional and we don’t fix anything - God cures while we are caring for His people. We stand ready to support those who need us and find ourselves using the skills we have learned in all of our encounters with people, be it our care receivers, our families, each other, or random strangers.  We all believe we are better people, better friends, and better Christians because of being Stephen Ministers. We are grateful that our congregation has allowed us to become the tiny pebble that helps create the ripples of Christ’s love for our neighbors.