Become a Stephen Minister

Do you have the gifts of empathy and compassion? If so, you could help people in need by becoming a Stephen Minister. Please complete the application here. For more information, contact Deborah Diehl, Stephen Leader, at deborah.diehl@stmartininthefields.org.

A Christian community of Compassion

Stephen Ministry is Christ caring for people through people. It is one-on-one Christian care for individuals facing a variety of life challenges – people who are experiencing grief, divorce, job loss or relocation. Stephen Ministry allows trained laypeople, who are members of our congregation and have received 50 hours of specialized instruction, to share the journey with those who are facing a crisis such as disability or chronic illness; those who are hurting and experiencing loneliness or isolation, caregiver stress and burnout, or parenting struggles. Stephen Ministers listen, care, encourage, pray, and provide emotional and spiritual support. They can be counted on to be dependable and trustworthy.

Stephen Ministers and care receivers are matched confidentially by gender and compatibility. Stephen Ministers and their care receivers meet for about one hour each week, or every other week, for as long as there is a need. The identity of those receiving care and all they discuss remains private and confidential.

The Stephen Ministry program is available to all adult members of the congregation. If you would like to discuss whether a Stephen Minister may be able to help you, please contact our Rector, the Rev. Alan Bentrup at alan.bentrup@stmartininthefields.org. If you know someone in our congregation who you think might benefit from the support of a Stephen Minister, please tell them about our program. Anyone with questions may contact our Stephen Leader, Deborah Diehl at deborah.diehl@stmartininthefields.org.

If you’re looking for a meaningful Christmas tradition for yourself or your family, here is an idea that keeps the focus on the needs of others. An Advent calendar is a traditional way to count the days to Christmas, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation. This REVERSE Advent calendar invites you to put one item of non-perishable food or select gifts aside each day in Advent as a gift for people served by 4Saints Episcopal Food Pantry.

Here’s what you do:

• Get a box. Two wine or liquor boxes with cardboard compartments work well, but any box will do. Decorate it if you want – maybe attach the December calendar we’ve provided here!
• Add a food or gift item to it daily. Our recommended list is below.
• On the last Sunday of Advent, or on Christmas Eve, bring it with you to church. Put it with the larger 4Saints collection box in the back of the church.

Get kids involved with:

• Decorating the box
• Planning items to purchase
• Shopping & selecting items
• Putting an item in the box every day
• Praying
• Coloring in or marking off the calendar
• Making a Christmas card to be included for the clients of 4Saints
• Remembering to bring the box to church!

Add some prayer!

• Pray daily for people who need food assistance
• Pray to see and serve other needs in our community

Suggested non-perishable items:
Sizes are what the pantry typically stocks, which makes it easy for them to store. They will accept any in-date and unopened food items!

• Canned vegetables & beans – 15 oz cans
• Canned fruit – 15 oz cans
• Canned soups – 10.5 oz (no Ramen please!)
• Canned chicken – 5 oz
• Canned tuna – 5 oz
• Cans or plastic jars of spaghetti sauce (no glass please)
• Boxes of pasta – 16 oz (no bags)
• Rice, Beans – 1 or 2 lb bags
• Mac & cheese – boxed, 7.5 oz **We can’t get enough Mac & Cheese!**
• Boxed cereal 18 oz or less – no bags
• Peanut butter, smooth – 16-18 oz
• Diapers – all sizes
• Baby wipes
• Feminine products

About the pantry

4Saints Episcopal Food Pantry is an Episcopal food bank within our deanery. 4Saints’ now has a home at the Community Life Center at Meadowbrook-Poly United Methodist Church.The area has many low-income families, and hunger is an issue there. St. Martin’s joins St. Luke’s, St. Alban’s, Arlington and St. Stephen’s, Hurst in our support of this food ministry.