The Good Shepherd Stephen Ministry seeks to expand on Good Shepherd’s vision of “equipping others to deal with the issues of life.” Through this ministry, lay persons are trained to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care. The ministry provides a loving listener to members of our church and our community who are experiencing a variety of needs including dealing with grief, illness, the care of aging parents or troubled family members, and transitions such as unemployment and divorce. The Stephen Ministry program is completely confidential, and those receiving care can be sure that their identity and their confidences will remain private. Stephen Ministers are committed to expressing God’s love through their lives and actions to others. HURTING? Need a Christian friend to talk to?CLICK HERE to send us an email.
Walking the Mourner's Path
“Walking the Mourner’s Path” is a Christ-centered support program for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The mission of this ministry is to “transform grief into joyful living.” Over a span of eight weeks, these once-a-week gatherings provide tools to facilitate healing. The gatherings include short lessons, scriptures, questions to consider, and times of sharing. Each participant has the opportunity to share in an atmosphere of safety and confidentiality.
Take Them A Meal
This ministry provides direct care for those in need the provision of meals for families celebrating the birth of a child or experiencing serious illness or loss. Click on word "HERE" below to go to the Take Them A Meal website to sign up to provide a meal.
During Communion at each worship service, trained prayer teams are available in the Prayer Room, just off the foyer. Experienced prayer ministers pray with parishioners and visitors confidentially. Parishioners and visitors may also make the Prayer Team aware of their prayer requests via the prayer cards in each pew rack, which can be placed in the offering plate.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The parishioners in this ministry gather each week to knit and crochet prayer shawls. These lovingly created shawls augment the Good Shepherd prayer ministry by extending a warm and physical touch—assuring the recipients of our prayers and God’s infinite love and care. Typically, the shawls are presented by a friend or loved one to someone experiencing a life-threatening illness. Experienced shawl makers are happy to assist anyone who is less experienced and would like to participate. All are welcome!
Prayer Card Ministry
This ministry remembers parishioners in special need and provides get well, sympathy, and other cards of encouragement to be signed by Good Shepherd congregants on Sundays. For parishioners who are confined to their homes or in nursing homes, this ministry supplies birthday, Easter, Valentine’s Day and Christmas cards, which are also signed by our members.
Daughters of the King
Good Shepherd’s Daughters of the King (DOK) has an active prayer ministry. Their prayer chain quickly disseminates prayer requests for anyone in need of prayer, whether members of Good Shepherd or not.
Lay Eucharistic Visitors
Each Sunday, Good Shepherd lay members deliver Communion to our members who are home bound or hospitalized. Recipients are blessed by the gift of communion, and the participants in this ministry are blessed by the act of sharing God’s presence in the elements.
