Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ  -- Galatians 6:2 At the center of Stephen Ministry is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who heals through us and fills us with faith, love, and forgiveness. This is a biblically based, psychologically sound approach to a caring ministry that is thorough, yet easy to understand. This ministry equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care for those who are experiencing a variety of life needs and circumstances. This ministry is named after St. Stephen, one of the first deacons in the early Christian church, who was commissioned by the apostles to care for the needs of people in the Christian community. Stephen Ministers are lay Christians who are trained and supervised by Stephen Leaders to provide effective, confidential Christian care. Those receiving care from a Stephen Minister can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain completely private between themselves and their Stephen Minister. A Stephen Minister is not born, but, made and then improved over time through trainingMany of you have the gift of compassion and faith and there are others in the con-gregation that would welcome your support in this way. What better way to use that gift than serving as a Stephen Minister. For more information about serving in this way please contact the Rev. Mary Beth Lawrence, or Marge Jarrett.