Stephen Ministry is…

A non-denominational program that trains and supports lay persons to provide distinctively Christian, one-on-one care to those who are experiencing a significant life challenge such as:

  • Loss of a loved one
  • Separation or divorce
  • Job crisis
  • Major medical condition
  • Difficult life transition
  • Spiritual crisis
  • Birth or adoption
  • Overwhelmed by life

First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge has maintained a vibrant Stephen Ministry program since 1990 and currently supports more than a dozen Stephen Ministers and Leaders.

I am interested in having a Stephen Minister meet with me or a loved one
I am interested in being trained as a Stephen Minister
FLASH: New Stephen Ministry Training

At FUMCOR, our Stephen Ministers…

  • Receive 50 hours of training in diverse areas of emotional and spiritual care.
  • Conduct confidential, one-on-one, Christian-centered visitations with persons in the congregation and community that are dealing with challenging life situations.
  • Supplement pastoral visitations to hospitalized members of the congregation.
  • Conduct in-home holy communion with home-bound members of our congregation and offer holy communion to residents of Canterfield.
  • Distribute “Journeying Through Grief” booklets to persons who have recently lost a loved one.
  • Provide birthday cards to members of the congregation.
  • Meet regularly to support each other and provide the best possible care to our care receivers.

Meet the FUMCOR Stephen Ministry Team

Rev. Jenny Caughman
Congregational Liason

Peg Ashline
Dan Ingersoll
Anne Leitnaker
Ann Siemsen

Stephen Ministers

Betty Lou Alspaughalspaughbl@gmail.com865-310-1672
Peg Ashlineashline27@bellsouth.net865-483-4268
Rose Anne Bellroseannehartman@yahoo.com
estevebell76@comcast.net		865-539-9593
865-603-3974
Jenny Caughmanjcaughman@fumcor.org  865-256-1026
865-483-HELP
Debbie Clarkdcc6357@gmail.com865-482-5105
Melanie Fillauerwkfillauer@comcast.net865-482-3841
865-719-2623
Ann Gentryanngentry1233@gmail.com865-323-6014
Dan Ingersolldingersoll3@comcast.net865-483-9394
865-384-4664 C
Mary Jellisonjellisonmj@gmail.com865-483-4338
865-405-3608 C
Anne Leitnakeranne.leitnaker@gmail.com865-376-5323
937-477-9786
Jim Micheljamesrmichel@hotmail.com865-567-2206
Ann Siemsensiemsen100@gmail.com865-483-5928
Susan Whitewhitesp517@gmail.com865-323-7440
Ted Willgrubstmwillgrubs@att.net865-425-7605
Evie Williamsedntevie@yahoo.com615-618-1324
Ted Williamsedntevie@yahoo.com615-618-1319
Dan Youngjimdanyoung@gmail.com865-425-4384
Linda Younglcmyoung3@gmail.com 865-607-8312

More information about Stephen Ministry…​

The Stephen Ministry program began in 1975 in St. Louis, Missouri. Since then, more than 600,000 lay persons have been trained in over 13,000 congregations. Here are some resources for better understanding the history and features of the program, as well as individual reactions to this Christian care-giving ministry.

​The richest resource for material associated with the Stephen Ministry program can be found at the St. Louis Stephen Ministries website. Highlighted resources from that site are given below.

Resources for Current Stephen Ministers

Experiencing a life crisis?​

If you feel that you or someone close to you would benefit from meeting with a Stephen Minister, please contact: Jenny Caughman (483-HELP, jcaughman@fumc.org)

or one of the persons on the Stephen Ministry referral team:

This confidential discussion will enable you to fully explore the merits and features of the Stephen Ministry program and its suitability to your needs.

If you decide to have a Stephen Minister assigned, the referrals coordinator will assign a Stephen Minister—matched by gender—who best aligns with your need. The assigned Stephen Minister will then contact you to arrange the first caring visit.

If you’re still uncertain whether a Stephen Minister is right for you or not, then check out: testimonials by care receivers , Megan’s Story, or A Steady Reminder of God’s Presence.

Interested in becoming a Stephen Minister?​

Stephen Ministry training equips members of our congregation to provide a high level of emotional and spiritual care to individuals experiencing a life crisis. The training is practical, relational, and interactive, covering essential caregiving topics such as:

  • Distinctively Christian caring
  • Active listening
  • Relating assertively
  • Dealing with difficult emotions
  • Maintaining confidentiality
  • Crisis theory and intervention
  • Maintaining boundaries
A new training class will begin on September 12, 2023.
Click here for more information.

Once Stephen Ministers have completed the 50 hours of training distributed over 20 sessions, they are matched with care receivers. They also participate in monthly supervision and continuing education meetings, which provides them with the support and guidance to grow as caregivers and offer the best care possible to their care receivers.

If you would like to pursue the possibility of joining our team of trained Stephen Ministers at FUMCOR, please contact any of our Stephen Leaders.

Still uncertain if Stephen Ministry is your calling, then check out: Real Ministry, Real Difference or Well Done Good and Faithful Servant.

New Stephen Ministries Training

Dates: 

  • Block 1: Sept 12 – Nov 14, 2023
  • Block 2: Jan 9 – Feb 20, 2024

All new training materials (updated 2020)

  • Tuesday evenings (6:00-8:30 pm)
  • Taught by local Stephen Leaders
  • Combined class with Grace Lutheran and 1st Cumberland Presbyterian Churches

Contact any FUMCOR Stephen Minister or Leader if interested in participating.