Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Albuquerque, NM

In February 1998, Susan Meredith and Wayne Ciddio attended the Stephen Ministry Leader's training in San Antonio, Texas. Upon their return, they started this program in our church. Six people were recruited. They took 50 hours of training and were commissioned in March 1999.

Stephen Ministry is an active and vital part of our church life. A Stephen Minister is a caring, compassionate friend, a good listener, a firm believer in God and someone who can keep confidences.

Our congregation is rich with gifted Christians who are filled with Christ's spirit and whose deepest satisfaction comes in serving with their God-given gifts. Some have become Stephen Ministers. They have read, studied, prayed, and worked hard to prepare for their jobs. They have challenging work ahead of them, but it will be extremely satisfying labor, not o­nly because it serves Christ and others, but because it is what God called them to be and gifted them to do.

Stephen Ministry is now the ministry of our entire congregation. Those not called to be Stephen Ministers have ways to support this ministry. certainly you can pray for our Stephen Minsters, refer people to them, or simply tell others that we have trained, disciplined Christian friends here who follow Christ by caring for others. The congregation's task will be to listen to friends and relatives and then, trusting God's Spirit, to speak the right words to them about the help God offers through this congregation and our Stephen Ministers. They'll know where to come and for whom to ask when they need someone like a Stephen Minister.

And do you know what can happen in a year or two? People in our congregation will learn where to turn for Christ's help. From experience they'll know of Christ's grace through our Stephen Ministers. Our Stephen Ministers will help many people. That's the vision we are moving towards. The Spirit will work through the Stephen Ministers to bring others to fuller life in Christ. We shall love, help, and support others with our Christian faith, because that is what the risen Christ summons and sends us out to do.

If you would like to know more about the Stephen Ministry please contact the church office, 344.9798.

Our purpose is to care for all church members, extending the love of Christ. We do this through frequent communication (visits, phone calls, group functions, and informal greetings at church). This contact is especially important with our members, especially in sickness, grief, loss, doubt, or other personal need.

Individual deacons are responsible for coordinating pastoral care for a designated "Shepherd Group." These groups meet occasionally for fellowship, mission, prayer, learning, worship, or communion. The members of each group are encouraged to share in the care for one another in times of need. One deacon attends each session meeting on a rotating basis (with voice, but without vote), in order to maintain close communication between the two boards, which meet together annually.