"They
chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy
Spirit; So the word of God spread. The number of
disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly." Acts 6:5-7 Stephen Ministry is
grounded in Jesus' command to love one another. Through
one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting
receive the love and care they need to support them.
Everyone goes through difficult times. Having someone to
care, to listen, to share God's love with you can help
you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness you
may be experiencing.
A Stephen Minister is...
a child of
God who walks beside a hurting person.
a caring
Christian friend who really listens.
a lay
person who has received 50 hours of training in
how to provide distinctively Christian care.
A Stephen
Minister is NOT...
a
counselor or therapist.
a
problem-solver.
a casual
visitor.
Stephen
Ministry helps meet the needs of individuals who are
hospitalized, terminally ill, bereaved, in a job crisis,
new members of a church, disabled, home bound, lonely, in
a spiritual crisis, or looking for a caring, Christian
friend.
Our
congregation is proud to host a MOPS chapter. MOPS stands
for Mothers of Preschoolers, a program designed for
mothers with children under school age, infants through
kindergarten. Nearly 1,500 MOPS groups gather in churches
throughout the United States, Canada, and eight other countries
to meet the needs of more than 50,000 women each year. Mothers, not all the
same age... but all in the same phase of life. Women with
different lifestyles and different backgrounds, some from
the church, many unchurched... but all with similar needs
and a shared desire to be the best mothers they can be!
The MOPS group
provides encouragement, support, teaching, and
friendships. In these relationships moms find answers for
their simple, everyday dilemmas and discover a safe place
to explore the deeper principles for life-building. MOPS
helps moms... and MOPS makes a difference in the lives of
their families.
Release Time
Christian Education
Release Time is a Christian
Education program available to Arkport Central School
students in grades one through six. Each Wednesday
afternoon, the children who wish to participate are
released from school for one hour and are escorted by
adult volunteers to one of the Arkport churches for this
fun and educational program. Over 300 students have
attended Release Time since the program began in 1991.
Four community churches
work together to present the classes: the Methodist &
Presbyterian churches in Arkport, Burns Community Church,
& Bishopville Methodist Church. Music, lessons ,
crafts, skits, review games, & interactive activities
are used to teach the students about God. A Bible is
given to each student & is used in class. Incentives
are offered for memorizing Bible Verses & cookies are
provided each week by the members of the four churches.
Thirty-three students are
attending Release Time this year. Awards and gifts are
presented at the end of the year. Students who have
attended 5 or 6 years are presented with a special gift
upon graduation.
Volunteers who have served
faithfully for many years include Darlene Auckland, Karen
Fitzgerald , Diane Kendall, Lois Owens, and Regie Stover.
Pastors Kristen Allen, Bill Allen, Steve Jewell, &
Alan Magoon are involved through planning, teaching, and
praying for the classes and for the students.
"They
chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy
Spirit; So the word of God spread. The number of
disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly." Acts 6:5-7 Stephen Ministry is
grounded in Jesus' command to love one another. Through
one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting
receive the love and care they need to support them.
Everyone goes through difficult times. Having someone to
care, to listen, to share God's love with you can help
you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness you
may be experiencing. 
Our
congregation is proud to host a MOPS chapter. MOPS stands
for Mothers of Preschoolers, a program designed for
mothers with children under school age, infants through
kindergarten. Nearly 1,500 MOPS groups gather in churches
throughout the United States, Canada, and eight other countries
to meet the needs of more than 50,000 women each year. Mothers, not all the
same age... but all in the same phase of life. Women with
different lifestyles and different backgrounds, some from
the church, many unchurched... but all with similar needs
and a shared desire to be the best mothers they can be!
Release Time is a Christian
Education program available to Arkport Central School
students in grades one through six. Each Wednesday
afternoon, the children who wish to participate are
released from school for one hour and are escorted by
adult volunteers to one of the Arkport churches for this
fun and educational program. Over 300 students have
attended Release Time since the program began in 1991.
