BeFriender Ministry

Did you know that St. John's has a BeFriender Ministry?

BeFrienders provide pastoral care for people in all kinds of difficult and transitional situations. They are trained volunteers who extend the care of a faith community. BeFrienders provide pastoral care by providing a listening presence. 
 

Ministry 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 person befriended and the BeFriender.
 
Caring not curing: BeFrienders accept people as they are without telling them how they should be, listen with compassion without giving advice, and allow others to make their own decisions without trying to decide for them. The care offered by BeFrienders provides an opportunity for those they befriend to make choices and grow.
 
Nonjudgmental presence: BeFrienders provide a sacred and safe space for someone to talk about their experiences, thoughts, and feelings without being judged or criticized.
 
Active listening: The value and healing potential of having one’s story heard is profound. BeFrienders actively listen by using communication skills that create an environment of respect and dignity. A BeFriender is someone who listens with compassion, accepts people as they are, respects another’s spiritual journey, and em-bodies the caring presence of God. 
 
Here are a few examples of how a BeFriender can be a helpful resource for parishioners. . .
 
• Hospitalization
• Cancer or chronic illness
• Families of deployed military
• Resident of a skilled nursing facility
• Addiction
• Post-partum depression
• Stress of being a caregiver
• Death of a loved one
• Loneliness
• Getting married or divorced
• Blending families
• “Empty nest” syndrome
• Becoming a parent or parenting challenges
• Relationship issues
• Being a victim of random violence
• Being abused or abusing others
• Imprisonment
• Relocation, job loss, or career change
• Financial worries
• Buying or losing a home
• Trauma or natural disaster
• Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia
 
For more information contact Beth Prendi at 952-890-9465 or at [email protected]. You can also read more information about BeFriender Ministry at their website.