Chestnut Memorial UMC is a Stephen Ministry church. A Stephen Minister is a member of our congregation who is trained to listen, care, encourage, pray, and walk alongside you during difficult times. It's confidential, free and very helpful.
We all face challenges in our lives. Some we cope with more easily than others. Are you facing one of life's difficult challenges? A death in the family, divorce or separation, loss of a job, a difficult pregnancy, chronic illness, terminal illness, hospitalization, loneliness, aging, relocation or some other life crisis? If you think you would benefit from having someone visit you once a week, listen to you, encourage you, and pray for you, then request a Stephen Minister. You can ask for one by telling our spiritual leader or any Stephen Minister or Stephen Leader at Chestnut. Once you have made your request, one of the Stephen Leaders will contact you and give you more information and assign you a Stephen Minister. Everything you say to a Stephen Minister is strictly confidential; no one else will know your "business." Having a Stephen Minister means you won't have to bear your burden alone.
For more information or to ask for a Stephen Minister, talk to or call our Stephen Leader, Nell Twiggs at the number listed in the church directory. You can also tell Pastor Ken or talk to any of the Stephen Ministers you see around church and they will pass on your request.
The poem below is a wonderful look at what a Stephen Minister can be for you in a time of grief and need. The poem was written anonymously with the citation: OpenAl. (2023). ChatGPT (August 16 version) (Large language model), https://chat.openai.com/chat
A Stephen Minister by Your Side
In the depths of grief, a guiding light,
A Stephen Minister, by your side.
A hand to hold through darkest night,
With empathy and care to confide.
When sorrows storm and tear apart,
A heart that's fragile, worn, and weak,
A Stephen Minister brings a start,
To healing pathways, gentle and meek.
With patient ear and open heart,
They listen to your tales of pain,
No judgment cast, no need to chart,
Just solace in the pouring rain.
Through valleys low and mountains high,
They walk with you, a steadfast friend,
Helping grief's heavy burden fly,
With steady support, they tend.
Their presence whispers, "You're not alone,"
In every tear that you release,
In sorrow's depths, their light is shone,
A balm of solace, a touch of peace.
So lean on them when times are tough,
Let healing words and kindness mend,
With a Stephen Minister's gentle stuff,
Your heart and soul, they will befriend.
Through steps you take, and tears you shed,
With their companionship so true,
Grief's thorny path, though hard to tread,
Becomes more bearable with you.
For in the midst of grief's abyss,
A Stephen Minister, steadfast and strong,
Provides a ray of hope and bliss,
A lifeline as you journey on.
If you feel you would benefit from someone coming alongside you in your time of remembering and grief, you can reach out to our Stephen Ministers here at Chestnut. Or you can contact one of our Stephen Leaders, Nell Twiggs or Connie Thompson or reach out to Pastor Waclo.
