U MATTERS
The last two years with protests and COVID, our community and city have faced tremendous strain and challenge. We have spent more time online and made more adjustments to schedules, work, parenting and worship than ever before. It has been a little over a year since our first lockdown and we have been stretched in so many ways. Many are grieving the loss of a loved one, others are working their way through losses in life - jobs, health, marriages, opportunities and the list goes on.
Self-care is critical at times like these. Self-care involves caring for your mind, body and soul. It means exercising, eating properly, getting enough rest, socialising, worshipping, and monitoring our emotional health. At times we may need to reach out for additional help and help may come in the form of reaching out to a friend, seeing a therapist or reaching out to one of our Stephen Ministers.
Overall, Union Church has trained 19 Stephen Ministers with more than 50 hours of pastoral care training and they have been active in providing pastoral care to members of our congregation and the public. In fact, last week, five Stephen Ministers and Monte completed an additional 25 hours of training to become Stephen Leaders. We rejoice and give thanks for the gift they are to the community and we look forward to the opportunities we have to grow this ministry. Graduates include Ellen Ahn, Tess Lyons, Monte Peterson, Crystal Lo, Trudy Staalman and Catronia Woodrow.
If you are interested in receiving a Stephen Minister, please contact me directly and I would be happy to find an appropriate Stephen Minister for you. This is suitable for both men and women. Enquiries are kept confidential.
He (Jesus) said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31
Blessings, Pastor Michele