Pastoral Care
Our hope at Saint Stephen’s is to provide compassionate, prayerful care to all parishioners during times of need. Our Pastoral Care Ministries are the ways our clergy and parishioners pray for and support our congregation.
Contact the Rev. Sally Herring, or Gretchen Lerner for more information about our pastoral care ministries
or if you have a pastoral need.
Our Ministries
Prayer Shawls & Baby Blanket Ministry
This ministry uses donated and purchased yarn to make prayer shawls and baby blankets of various colors, sizes, and textures to give as gifts to parishioners. Labels indicate they are from our parish ministry. Clergy will bless the shawl or blanket before it is delivered to the recipient. We meet every Wednesday in the church office conference room from 1 pm to 3 pm. This ministry is open to everyone!
Prayer beads are strung into bracelets and Anglican rosaries. They are made by a dedicated group of beaders the second and fourth Tuesday morning from 9 am to 10 am. We keep a supply of these in the staff office that have been blessed by the clergy. No prior experience is required. To learn more, contact Gretchen Lerner.
Bead Ministry
A group of willing people help pick up and deliver a hot meal to our parish families during a hospital stay, illness, death, or the birth of a baby. A parish volunteer notifies the meal delivery team of needs and requests volunteers. Meals can be arranged through a local restaurant. Saint Stephen’s reimburses the cost of meals.
Feed My Sheep
The Card Guild’s purpose is to let people who are on our prayer list know that they are in our prayers in a time of need, sickness, bereavement, or hospitalization by sending a handmade card with a personalized message or prayer enclosed. There are two roles in this ministry: the artists and the senders.
Card Guild
Artists
The artist’s time varies with the individual creating the card jackets. Some paint or use photography; others use a multimedia approach. Each artist can be creative and spend time on their own schedule for this ministry. Some training and guidance are provided.
Senders
The sender’s time involves choosing an appropriate prayer for the need and then mailing the card. There may be up to ten cards sent each week. These people work with Gretchen and SSEC staff frequently.
Flower Apostles relay care and concern through the gift of flowers. The Apostles volunteer to deliver small arrangements to those in need of a little beauty from nature. For questions, contact or to volunteer for this ministry, contact Gretchen Lerner.
Flower Apostles
This group’s ministry is to pray for those on Saint Stephen’s prayer list. They gather on Thursday mornings at 9:30 in the library at SSEC. They offer a collective prayer and say each name on the prayer list. This ministry is great for those who enjoy contemplative prayer or are looking for a simple and meaningful way to pray for others. Please contact Gretchen Lerner for more information.
Simply Prayer
Care Teams provide practical, emotional, and spiritual support to people who are in need of extra care. Teams are comprised of volunteers who do what they love to do, in the time that they have, in a coordinated way. One of the many gifts of Care Teams is that no one volunteer is burdened by trying to supply all of the needs for one who is in need of support. Also, serving on a team is a wonderful way to get to know more of your Saint Stephen’s family. For more information, please contact Sally Herring.
Care Teams
Pastoral Care - Frequently Asked Questions
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If you have artistic gifts, you can help create the handmade cards that are mailed each month to parishioners who need encouragement. These thoughtful notes communicate remembrance, compassion, and prayer.
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In addition to spiritual support, we provide tangible care. Volunteers can:
Deliver meals to individuals or families experiencing illness or disruption
Offer ongoing presence and check-ins during extended recovery or grieving periods
Providing a meal or simple visit often becomes a powerful reminder that no one walks through hardship alone.
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Prayer is central to our pastoral ministry. You may participate by:
Joining the Simply Prayer Group, which meets weekly to pray over names on the prayer list and the handmade cards sent to parishioners
Making Anglican prayer bracelets as tangible reminders of God’s presence and intercession
These ministries quietly but powerfully extend Christ’s care to those in need.
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We have support groups for those suffering from loss or illness. We have both grief groups and currently have a women’s cancer support group. We are always happy to provide a space for support groups to gather.
We are here for you.
Loneliness or isolation can be a critical factor during a family or individual crisis. This can be due to a death, hospitalization, or illness, or even during a joyous occasion, such as the birth of a child. Our ministry team provides support and an ongoing presence during the most critical points of life, and in some cases long-term in order to ensure everyone knows they are not alone and that they are a part of the Body of Christ. Our goal is to provide a caring, prayerful presence, either in person or by other means to ensure the recipient knows they are cared for.