by Jill Bell, Elder for Prayer & Linda Cutshall, Director of Congregational Care

“Who will help me? How will I make my way?“ Life throws us curves, setbacks and losses. We’re not meant to weather turbulent times alone, but are designed by God to need Him and each other. Bethany has several caring ministries with women and men who are happy to come alongside others.

Stephen Ministers, Deacons and Healing Prayer are all committed to reaching out to share God’s love with others. We all pray with people and participate in his healing work. “Where do we overlap? What are our unique ways of caring? How might we work together and refer people to each other?” we asked ourselves.

Stephen Ministers

Stephen Ministers offer one-on-one support over time for individuals who are facing a transition in their life. Any transition, good or bad, knocks us off course for awhile. Adding a child or adult in a home changes roles and positions in the household. Being new to Seattle or Bethany is daunting. Loss comes through changes in relationships, illness or jobs. Many of us live daily with loss of dreams and hopes. Sometimes our friends and family can offer support, but it’s usually helpful to find someone “outside of the picture” to listen to us.

You can anticipate meeting once a week for an hour to be listened to and prayed for. Stephen Ministry relationships last from 4 weeks to a year, depending upon the situation. Women meet with women and men with men. Confidentiality is upheld.
Contact Bruce Devereaux, bjdever@comcast.net, 783-1551 or Linda Cutshall, lindac@bethanypc.org, 284-2222, ext 13.

Deacons

Deacons are called to serve “the lonely, ill, or anyone who may be in distress.” We do this either by having a neighborhood that we’re connected to, or by working with a distinct group of people like those 60+ or newcomers. Our hope is to learn about people who have a need and then to network among ourselves and our neighbors to meet that need.

Volunteer meal makers provide food. We’ve repaired windows, done some yard work, and regularly pray with people and serve communion. Our ministry is more “hands-on” than Stephen Ministry or Healing Prayer. Contact Cindy Hagen at cindyhagen
@comcast.net, 367-3470 or ask for Linda Cutshall at 284-2222, ext 13 and we’ll connect you with a deacon.

Healing Prayer Ministry

The Healing Prayer Ministry at Bethany is an opportunity to seek peace, wholeness, and healing specifically through prayer. People come seeking prayer for a variety of different needs, which might include physical healing, inner healing, release from painful emotions, transformation, forgiveness for those who have hurt us, or experiencing God’s healing presence and grace.

Two prayer ministers meet with an individual from one to three times over the course of a month or two, and incorporate a variety of different kinds of prayer, including hands-on prayer for physical healing, listening prayer, and a healing timeline format for healing of memories. Call our healing prayer line at 284-2222, ext 35 to set up an appointment for prayer.

We hope that you will look to these caring ministries as another opportunity to be cared for, to be known and to experience God’s love. We’ll do our best to be here for you and for others who you might refer to us.