• From left to right:  JC Simmons, Charlie Harris, Jim Ferro, Elaine Segelken, Liz Demerest, Sue Harris, Tony Young, Diane Dunham, Barb Grube and Pastor Anita Herbert.  Not pictured Penny Perkins.

    On Sunday, August 13, 2023 our congregation commissioned new Stephen Leader, Barb Grube and Stephen Minister, Tony Young.  Our Stephen Ministry Team stands ready to care for those in need within our church and community.  We thank God for all our Stephen Ministers and pray that He will bless their ministries.

  • Stephen Ministry at SPC

    INTERESTED IN BECOMING A STEPHEN MINISTER? We will be holding an Orientation Session on Sunday, October 20, 2024 for all who are interested in or would like more information about becoming a Stephen Minister.  We will meet in Lanneau Hall at 1:00 pm.  Light refreshments will be served.  Please notify Liz Demerest at 845-588-0973 if you plan to join us.

    Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of congregation members—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered and completely confidential care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties.

    Who’s Involved in Stephen Ministry?
    Stephen Leaders are church staff, lay leaders, and pastors trained at a Leader’s Training Course to provide ongoing leadership for their congregation’s Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained by their Stephen Leaders to offer care to people who are hurting. A Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week for about an hour. 

    Care receivers are individuals in the congregation or community who are going through a crisis or life difficulty. Potential care receivers first meet with a pastor or Stephen Leader, who assesses their needs for care and matches them with a Stephen Minister. The caring relationship lasts for as long as the need persists.

  • The Blessings of Stephen Ministry
    Stephen Ministry multiplies blessings throughout the church and community. Congregations carry out Christ’s commandment to “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12 RSV) in a powerful and practical way. Pastors have a team of gifted, trained, and committed lay caregivers ready to minister to hurting people. Laypeople nurture and use their gifts in meaningful ministry, growing spiritually as they serve others. People who are hurting have a caring Christian presence to provide emotional and spiritual support. 

    In short, Stephen Ministry helps carry out the mission of the church. "Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, NRSV).

     For further information contact Liz Demerest, Stephen Leader @ 845 588-0973.

  • Care Receivers Tell Their Stories

  • "It was such a burden off my shoulders"

  • "My Stephen minister is truly a gift"

  • "Getting me plugged into my church"

  • "Refusing to give up on me"

  • "I can tell him anything"

  • "Connected with God in a way I never felt before"

  • Hear from the Congregation