CARING MINISTRIES
At Naples UCC, we are a community of believers with a passion for helping others. Our caring ministries include Stephen Ministry, Home Communion, Prayer Shawl Ministry, and Mission at Home Ministry, all designed to provide practical and emotional support to those in need. We are committed to making a difference in the lives of our members and the broader community, and we welcome you to join us in this mission.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministers, all of whom have completed 50 hours of training in Christian caregiving skills, provide one-on-one care to people who are going through a difficult period in their lives. Stephen Ministers are available after each worship service in the parlor for private conversation. Some are assigned weekday visits to those who are hospitalized or in rehabilitation, and others are assigned to individual care receivers. Stephen Ministry springs from the belief that if people can talk through their fears, grief, anger, or concerns with someone who can listen well, they will find God’s healing in their lives. Contact the church office for more information. For the national website go to www.stephenministries.org
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To become a Stephen Minister: New Stephen Ministers are trained and supervised by five trained Stephen Leaders. Speak with any of our Stephen Ministers or with Rev. Angela Wells-Bean (by email) at the church office to learn more about the training schedule.
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What is a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained to provide confidential, one-to-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, loss of a pet, stressful situations, or relocation. Stephen Ministers come from all walks of life, but they all share a passion for bringing Christ’s love and care to people during a time of need.
Do I need a Stephen Minister?
Are you hurting or struggling? All of us endure challenges in daily life. It’s natural to need extra support at various times. Sometimes it might feel right to talk with someone outside of your family and friends’ support network. We believe that if people can talk through their fears, grief, anger, or concerns with someone who can listen well, they will find God’s healing in their lives.
Naples UCC Stephen Ministers can expand, deepen and increase the capacity of caring that you need. Let us walk beside you during this trying time.
How can I connect with a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers are available after each worship service in the parlor for private conversation. If you feel you need more time with a Stephen Minister that kind of relationship can be arranged. We also can arrange for weekday visits to those who are hospitalized or in rehabilitation.
Stephen Ministry works hand in hand with our pastor of Congregational Care, Rev. Angela Wells-Bean. Please contact her if you would like to connect with a supportive and caring Stephen Minister.
Home Communion
Our Stephen Ministers bring Communion to people in their homes who are unable to come to church to receive Communion. If you’d like to receive home Communion, please call the church office, or email Molly Baker at MBakerLex@gmail.com. Home Communion will be brought on the first Sunday of the month, or sometime the following week. A Stephen Minister will be in touch with recipients to arrange a visit. If you have any questions, please contact Molly or Rev. Angela Wells-Bean here.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Compassion, prayer, and the love of knitting (or crocheting) are combined into a ministry and spiritual practice to serve those in need of comfort and solace, as well as celebration and joy. The creation of shawls begins and ends with prayers for whomever the recipient will be.
It could be for someone serving in the Armed Forces, someone in the hospital, a new baby, or as a comfort after a time of loss, stress, or bereavement.
The history of this ministry can be found at www.shawlministry.com .
To inquire about a shawl, please contact our church office.
Mission at Home Ministry
Mission@Home is an opportunity for members of our congregation to help the needs of other members. When a member needs one-time help, such as a drive to a doctor’s office, grocery shopping, picking up a prescription, or cleaning out a closet, they can contact the church office, who will contact the Mission@Home team. Our volunteer list is contacted to see if anyone can take care of that need.