The BeFriender ministry at St Luke provides trained lay pastoral care for people in all kinds of challenging or transitional situations. Everyone is, at times, on a difficult journey and needs a caring companion who will listen, empathize, and be a reminder of a caring faith community. For either one visit or multiple visits, a BeFriender is a supportive listener beyond the family. Examples of concerns might be illness, divorce or separation, parenting challenges, stress, difficult decisions, life changes, death/dying/grief, care giving responsibilities and many other large or seemingly small challenging times in life.

There is a healing power in telling one’s story. Through confidential, compassionate, and active listening, our BeFrienders hear another’s story from the person’s perspective. They offer a respectful and empathetic listening presence without advice or judgment.

BeFrienders participate in ongoing training with the supervision of the BeFriender leadership team. More about this national ecumenical ministry can be found at www. befrienderminister.org

Persons who would like to have a BeFriender visit or would like to suggest someone who may be interested in being a BeFriender may contact Pastor Gwin Pratt or BeFriender Coordinators Lynn Cox or Judy Nelson.

 Link:  BeFriender Ministry National Office