Stephen Ministry Celebrates 10th Anniversary
WETHERSFIELD - Stephen Ministry has become an integral way in which the Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church reaches out to its members and the community to provide a caregiving ministry. It is with great joy that this fall the church is celebrating its 10-year anniversary as a Stephen Ministry congregation.

       Since 2004, Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church’s Stephen Ministers, members of the church who have received 50 hours of caregiving training, have provided one-to-one Christian care to individuals experiencing crises such as the loss of a loved one, a divorce, a terminal illness, loneliness, unemployment, hospitalization, a spiritual crisis, or the birth of a child.

       â€"I have found Stephen Ministry to be a highly valued resource for those who are facing difficulty and hardship,” said Pastor Scott Solberg.  â€"It is a valuable resource because it comes in the form of a person, a very real presence when one often feels alone. Through the gentle touch and faithful presence of a Stephen Minister, God no longer seems distant, but very present. God’s love is felt and the care receiver is comforted and strengthened. This is the value that comes with Stephen Ministry and I am grateful that this resource has been available to us for the past 10 years.”

       Stephen Leader Audrey Jensen estimates that in the past 10 years, Stephen Ministers at WEFC have provided 2,800 hours of high quality Christian care to individuals in need. The Stephen Ministry at the church has trained thirty-nine Stephen Ministers during that time span. Stephen Ministers agree to serve at least two years after they have received their training, but many have chosen to serve longer because they experience a sense of gratitude that God is using them as they bring a listening ear to hurting people. Since 2009, the Stephen Ministry has offered a Blue Holidays Service of Comfort and Hope to the community. This has been one way this ministry has been able to reach out beyond the walls of the church. The service has always brought comfort and peace to those who are facing the holidays with sadness in their hearts.

       The Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church Stephen Ministry will commemorate the 10th anniversary with a celebration dinner and program on Oct. 3. WEFC Stephen Ministers have been invited to attend this very special evening. Stephen Ministry Sunday will be observed during the morning services on Oct. 5, when the entire congregation will have the opportunity to reflect on how the Stephen Ministers have helped to make WEFC a much more caring community.

       To learn more about the Stephen Ministry at WEFC, call the church office at 860-563-8286 or visit the church website at www.wethefc.com . For more general information about this ministry visit www.wethefc.com .
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