Stephen Ministry
The Stephen Ministry is a nationwide program which supports and trains lay ministers. You can find out more about the national organization by visiting its website.
At Lake Washington UMC the Stephen Ministry is an outreach program that allows lay people to learn how to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in LWUMC congregation, and surrounding community.
Stephen Ministers are ready to provide emotional and spiritual care when someone is faced with a crisis or
- Loss of a loved one
- Hospitalization
- Spiritual crisis
- Terminal illness
- Other trials
Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry: The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remains private.
Stephen Ministers are caring friends who listen, care, pray, support and encourage people in their community. They receive 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care, to be good listeners, and know how to pray with, to support and encourage people facing tough times, or being faced with a crisis.
LWUMC currently has 8 trained Stephen Ministers, who are lay people in our congregation that have completed the 50 hours of training.
If you are interested in providing or receiving care through the Stephen Ministry program at LWUMC, please contact one of our Stephen Leaders, Pastor Kelly Dahlman-Oeth, Ursel Kammereck-Jones, and Midge Carstensen or contact the Church office at (425) 885-3311 and request that a Stephen minister contact you.