A new ministry at St. George’s - BeFriender Ministry - will replace our existing pastoral care team. The Vestry expressed its support for the formation of this ministry at its meeting in July of 2007. Eilene Harvala and Michael Johnson have been training to lead this ministry and to train BeFriender lay ministers. Father Paul is serving as program supervisor and program administrator.

BeFriender Ministry is deeply spiritual, is scripture-based and prayer-based and is rooted in our baptismal call to lay ministry. Trained BeFriender lay ministers embody the caring presence of God and of our faith community by becoming “special friends” to members who are in need of caring, non-judgemental presence.

BeFriender Ministry is lay pastoral care ministry based on four fondational principles:

• God is present
  BeFrienders are aware that they are in God’s presence when befriending someone and that the time shared is a blessing to both the personal befriended and the BeFriender.
• Caring, not curing
  BeFrienders serve as a lving reminder of God’s love. They are companions on the journey as others recognize, value and use their own God-given, SPirited-led wisdom.
• Non-judgemental presence
  BeFrienders understand the importance of hearing another’s store from that person’s perspective. Openness and respect allow them to respond with empathy without judgement.

• Active listening
  There is a healing power in being able to tell one’s store. BeFrienders know the value of active listening skills, which are a critical component of training.

BeFriender lay ministers provide pastoral care through a listening presence to anyone experiencing grief, loss, transition or other concerns such as cancer or chronic illness, divorce or separation, abuse, death of a loved one, relocation, job loss or career change, parenting challenges, depression, inprisonment, getting married, Alzheimer’s, financial concerns, addiction, stress of care-giving, buying or losing a home, etc. Whatever the circumstances of the person being befriended, a BeFriender can be a friend on the journey. A BeFriender does not take the part of professionals with specific expertise, but can be a companion through the process so that no one has to make the journey alone.

BeFrienders are trained to provide a listening presence to others, not to be experts in the situations that they may encounter. The core concepts and skills taught through the training enable a BeFriender to provide compassionate, empathetic care. BeFriender Ministry is not a crisis ministry, but BeFrienders can be called upon in crisis situations just as they would be in non-crisis situations. BeFrienders accept people as they are without telling them how they should be, listening with compassion without giving advice and allowing others to make their own decisions without trying to decide for them. By providing spiritual and emotional care, BeFrienders provide an opportunity for those they befriend to make choices and to grow.