Our Care of One Another
Jump to: Pastoral Care | Stephen Ministry | Spirit of Saugatuck (SOS) | Meals for Moms
Pastoral Care
Here at Saugatuck Congregational Church, we believe in a ministry of presence, of visiting with those who are home-bound, in a care facility, or hospitalized, to let them know that they are not forgotten — to listen, comfort, share a smile or share in conversation — and to convey the strength and power of God working through us. It is ministry at a personal level. But such ministry requires that the church be kept informed. If you or a loved one are hospitalized, or in need of a visit or prayers, please call the church office and leave a message, so that we might respond with care, respect and love.
Stephen Ministry
Saugatuck Congregational Church is a Stephen Ministry congregation. Stephen Ministry is a program that seeks to equip lay persons, called Stephen Ministers, to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it.
The Core Purpose of Stephen Ministries is summed up in St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:
“To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.”
The Stephen Series is in more than 10,000 congregations, from more than 150 Christian denominations in all 50 states as well as 25 other countries. More than a million people have been cared for by a Stephen Minister since 1975.
The Stephen Ministry program is completely confidential. If you would like to receive assistance from a Stephen Minister, please contact Anne Patterson at wapitterpatter@aol.com.
Stephen Ministers find all aspects of their lives enriched by the distinctively Christian caregiving skills they learn and practice, and experience joy as they see God working through them to bring hope and healing to a hurting person. If you wish to discover, cultivate and use the spiritual gifts you’ve been given and become an active partner in the mission and ministry of the church by becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact Anne Patterson at wapitterpatter@aol.com.
For more information about the Stephen Ministries, visit their website at www.stephenministries.org.
Spirit of Saugatuck (SOS)
The Spirit of Saugatuck (SOS) is a lay-caring ministry. The purpose of SOS is to provide a truly Christian community of love, faith, compassion, concern, care-giving and friendship. If you would like to help out with meals or transportation for those in our church community who may need assistance, please contact Marcia in the church office at 227-1261 or Marcia@saugatuckchurch.org. Please also contact Marcia if you are a Saugatuck Church member in need of assistance.
Meals for Moms
Saugatuck has begun a ministry to serve new moms. We will be visiting new moms and organizing dinners to be delivered to these families. If you are interested in being on the list of volunteers to cook dinners as each occasion occurs – or if you are a new or expecting mom – please email Steph Bulkeley (thebulkeleys@optonline.net). We look forward to reaching out to new mothers as their babies come into the world!