I Need Someone To Talk To...

I’m So Grateful for Stephen Ministry!

By a man who received care from a Stephen Minister

Fourteen months ago, I was at a point where I needed someone to talk to about the struggles in my life. My pastor recommended I consider meeting with a Stephen Minister–another man, trained as a caregiver, who would walk with me during this difficult time. Trusting someone with personal information about my life was something I feared at first, but my pastor reassured me that everything was confidential, so I agreed to give it a try. I’m so glad I did!

Soon after meeting my Stephen Minister, I quickly sensed I could trust him. Part of that trust came from knowing he was trained to help people through their problems. He made me feel comfortable by not prying for information, but instead just letting me share what was on my mind. Any questions he did ask fit our conversation appropriately. Probably the best thing he did for me was not judge me for my past decisions; rather, he was there to help me move forward.

I think another significant trust-building factor was being able to talk with someone who was not in my regular circle of friends. My friends certainly continued to have a very important place in my life, but I also needed someone who could see me objectively. That helped make it easier to share personal parts of my life. Also, knowing my Stephen Minister would be there for me “next week” (we usually met for an hour each week) gave me confidence. I see now how much I needed regular encouragement as I rode the roller coaster of emotions that came during this period of instability in my life.

I really appreciated our time together. Our weekly visits were more than just meeting to talk. They also helped keep me accountable between times, to carry through with the changes I said I wanted to make. My Stephen Minister often went out of his way to help me in my struggle.

My life experience during the ten months I met with my Stephen Minister was not always one of progress. It took courage for me to honestly share when I had my failures and setbacks too. Even then, my Stephen Minister was there for me. He encouraged me not to give up, but to pick up and keep going forward.

That genuine acceptance spoke to me the most; not to accept failure, but to confess, turn, and receive forgiveness. Having someone assure me of that biblical truth was really encouraging and was exactly what I needed.

My Stephen Minister walked with me through a really dark part of my life, pointing me to the truth and love that is in Christ. I thank the Lord for my Stephen Minister who did not try to solve all my problems but lovingly, as a Christian brother, walked along with me through this valley in my life. 

If you are dealing with some type of crisis or difficulty in life, I encourage you to meet with a Stephen Minister. You won’t regret it!

Stephen Ministers care for those dealing with grief, divorce, job loss, hospitalization, financial struggles, loneliness, convalescence, terminal illness, and many other life difficulties.

Please contact us (StephenMinistries@StPetersFL.com) if you need someone to talk to.
Testimony taken from StephenMinistries.org

A Parish Rule of Life

by The Rev'd Canon Dr. Michael Petty, Canon for Adult Formation

Let’s begin with two questions: First, how much time each week do you spend watching television and/or using social media? Second, how much time each week do you spend reading the Bible? According to survey data from the Pew Center for Religion and Public Life, the answer given to the second question by many American Christians is not encouraging (many were unable to name all four Gospels). It is possible to draw all sorts of conclusions from this data, but I think it needs to be said that generally speaking, we American Christians have an undisciplined approach to the Bible and the media we consume has a greater influence on our lives than the Word of God.

One of the things that the Parish Rule of Life calls all of us to is a regular (daily) and intentional discipline of reading and studying Scripture. There is really only one reason for such a discipline. A daily encounter with God’s Word is a daily encounter with God, who seeks to shape us into his faithful people. In other words, we read Scripture for both information (to understand it) and for transformation (to be changed by God speaking to us).

Many of us have heard 2 Timothy 3:16 quoted partially to support the authority of Scripture (“All Scripture is breathed out by God”). Yes, all Scripture is “breathed out” or inspired by God! But the verse goes on to say, “and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” Scripture was inspired by God for the purpose of making us competent as his people. Without immersion in Scripture, we do not simply remain ignorant of some doctrines, but we remain incompetent Christians. God wants us to be competent so that we can serve him faithfully!

Developing a discipline of reading Scripture takes commitment but having proper resources helps. As you seek to spend more time in God’s Presence, consider the following:

1. Begin to pray the Daily Office in the Book of Common Prayer. This pattern of prayer and Scripture reading will take you through the whole Bible in one year. For an easy to use online version of the Daily Office, go to www.dailyoffice2019.com

2. Subscribe to Encounter With God. This publication will give you a Scripture reading for every day of the year and commentary to go with each reading. To subscribe, go to www.scriptureunion.org

3. Begin using St. Peter’s one-year Bible Reading Plan. These can be found in the Narthex of the church.

4. Form a Bible study group with other members of the St. Peter’s family. If you are interested in doing this, please let me know at MPetty@StPetersFL.com

Remember Romans 15:4– "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."

Stephen Ministers: The After People

By The Rev’d Dr. Jeff Trostle, Director of Pastoral Care

People often ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?” One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the 'After People!'

Stephen Ministers are there:

• …after the phone call you hoped you’d never get.

• …after the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you.

• …after the relationship falls apart and the bottom falls out of your life.

• …after the doctor delivers news you hoped you’d never hear.

• …after retiring, when you realize the changes in your life are more than you expected.

• …after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away – and the house suddenly seems so empty.

• …after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible.

• …after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck.

• …after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.

Stephen Ministers are the 'After People.' They are ready to come alongside you – or someone you may know in our parish – and provide comfort, support, and a listening ear for as long after as needed.

Stephen Ministry is a confidential, one-on-one ministry to those suffering from life’s challenges. Please reach out if you need someone to trust, someone who will listen, someone who will care. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to help.

Contact Donna Trostle: StephenMinistry@StPetersFL.com

Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.
-Galatians 6:2

Pathways to Discipleship

by The Rev'd Dr. Michael W. Petty, Canon for Adult Formation

St. Peter’s Adult Formation Committee has worked hard to create a schedule of classes for the fall.  You will find a full listing of this schedule in the Discipleship Opportunities Catalogue (available in print in the Narthex today and on the St. Peter’s website at StPetersFL.com/Register).  Before looking at the classes, however, I hope that you will look at the Pathways to Discipleship which precede the class descriptions.  All the classes offered by the Adult Formation Committee are designated as providing at least one pathway to discipleship.  The Four Pathways are:

Pathway 1: Discipleship sustained by an intentional life of prayer and worship
Pathway 2: Discipleship sustained by the study of Scripture and reflection upon Christian doctrine
Pathway 3: Discipleship sustained by the stewardship of spiritual gifts and financial resources
Pathway 4: Discipleship sustained by living out our baptism as servants and evangelists

As you look over the listing of classes, please pay careful attention to the Pathway associated with each class and then ask yourself, “At this moment in my life, which Pathway do I most need to walk?”

One of the things that most excites me about the fall is the strong schedule of classes that will be offered on Wednesday evenings from 6:15–7:30pm beginning September 15:

• The Claims of Christ led by Ben Munroe

• Bearing God’s Name: Who We Are as God’s People led by Fr. Michael Petty

• The Epic of Eden led by Dan Halladay

• Naomi and Ruth led by Brian Bailey

• Sacred Marriage led by Jeff and Donna Trostle

• Union With Christ led by Fred Thomson

• Spiritual Mothering led by Alice Sanderson

Parents will want to note that the Discipleship Opportunities Catalogue also contains a listing of classes for children and youth.  By looking at the catalogue, you will know what is being offered for every member of the family.  

Happy walking!

What is a Priest?

by Collin Flake, 2021 Charles Simeon Institute Summer Fellow

When I arrived at Duke Divinity School, I had no intention of seeking ordination to the priesthood. I had dreams of becoming a lay missionary or working with a Christian non-profit in an under-resourced community. But about a year into my time at seminary someone asked me a pointed question: “Collin, do you really even know what a priest does?” When I thought about it, I had to admit that I did not. I had caught glimpses, of course, on Sunday mornings and at weddings and funerals. But I had little idea what the daily and weekly rhythms of parish ministry actually entailed. And I suspect this is true of many seminarians, even those who are confident they are called to full-time ministry in the parish. 

The Charles Simeon Institute is designed to address exactly this problem. Over the course of this summer, I learned what a priest does by entering into the life of St. Peter’s. I have learned about the teaching role of the priest through preaching and leading a Wednesday class. I have learned about the pastoral role of the priest through regular pastoral care calls and visits. I have learned about the administrative role of the priest by attending planning meetings and learning about managing a budget and building a staff. I have learned about the missional role of the priest by working with St. Peter’s mission partners and joining in Youth Mission Week. I have learned about the role of the priest in facilitating worship by leading morning prayer and participating in the Sunday liturgy. The list could go on.

But even more important than learning what a priest does, I have gained a deeper understanding of what a priest is. Fr. Michael has led some of the clergy in a weekly seminar this summer exploring exactly this question. In one of the books we read for that seminar, the author describes the priest as a sort of “walking sacrament.” I have seen the truth of this in a comical way during my lunch breaks. Several times I have caught people staring at me, and I have wondered if perhaps I was having a particularly bad hair day before remembering that I was wearing my clericals and collar. These symbols serve as a lightning rod for spiritual reflection. One worker at Moe’s even asked me conspiratorially over my burrito bowl: “So, do you like... do exorcisms and stuff?”

On a more serious note, I have seen the sacramental nature of the priesthood emerge in the regular rhythms of ministry to God’s people at all stages of life. There was one day this summer that I accompanied Fr. Wesley to visit a parishioner with Alzheimer’s. As we sat together, I felt the inadequacy of my own words. But as we read Psalm 139 together and prayed, I felt the power of God’s Word speaking beyond the edge of my own words. Just a few hours later, I was in a costume helping teach about baptism in Family Bible School. We invited the children to dip their fingers into the holy water in the baptismal font, and as they stared into the shimmering water, a sense of hushed wonder settled on the room. I have spent much of the past few years wrestling with the question of calling. And it strikes me that it is moments like these—simple moments transfigured by the mystery of God’s presence, moments which I can only describe as holy—out of which a calling emerges. I still do not know whether my calling will entail ordination to the priesthood. However, after this summer I understand more than ever what a worthy calling ordination is.

A Summer Fellow's Reflection

By Caleb Garven, Charles Simeon Institute Summer Fellow 2021

Caleb Garven was born in Tennessee, and was raised outside of Philadelphia. He spent his formative years in Tallahassee, from middle school through college. He studied psychology and philosophy at FSU and was an active member of the Marching Chiefs. He is currently studying for a Master of Divinity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He comes from a family of very talented musicians though he is pursuing pastoral ministry rather than music ministry. He is blessed to have a wonderful fiancée, Dallas, who supports all his endeavors. 

This has been a very busy summer for me. I have been crafting a curriculum for a Wednesday night class, writing sermons, assisting in and learning about pastoral care, and attending a lot of meetings. But this has probably been one of the most fruitful and rewarding summers I have had. I have been able to experience and learn all about the inner workings of an Anglican Cathedral and have been blessed to be working with and under so many amazing Godly people. To also be able to apply what I am learning in seminary is very rewarding. I have had the opportunity to be involved in just about everything this summer, from Youth Mission Week to Family Bible School, from serving in the liturgies to teaching and preaching.

It has truly been wonderful to be able to come back to my home church and be able to serve in a more in-depth capacity than I have before. It is very different being in a collar than being under the shadow of my dad. I am proud to call this my home parish and to have the ability to serve and learn here on my path to full-time vocational ministry. It is refreshing to be able to worship at my own church and with my family after being away at seminary.

I am glad that I was able to be a part of the Charles Simeon Institute this summer, and I do believe it has been very helpful in my discernment. I have grown in my understanding of my calling, and I have gained clarity on generally what it will entail, as much as one is able to, at least. I would recommend this wonderful program to any fellow Anglicans who are on the path to ministry. It is a robust and engaging program that asks a lot out of us but gives us so many things in return. The opportunity to learn under Fr. Michael Petty, to be mentored by Fr. Matt Wilkins, and to be guided by my lay mentoring team, is something for which I will be forever grateful. 

Stephen Ministers: A Heart for the Hurting

by Donna Trostle, Stephen Ministry Coordinator

All of us go through difficult and challenging seasons.  It can be extremely helpful to have someone come alongside us to give understanding and encouragement – to provide stability, hope, and Biblical principles to help us through the storm.

That is what a Stephen Minister is able to provide:  a listening ear, a supportive perspective, and God’s Word to help us through the challenges of life.  

Who are Stephen Ministers?

At St. Peter’s we have compassionate individuals who are trained to help us when we encounter loss, grief, relationship challenges, and a myriad of things that can throw our lives into a tailspin.  These Stephen Ministers are not counselors.  They are not “know-it-alls.”  They are not individuals who try to fix everyone’s troubles.  They simply provide love, care, and support when we need it most.

Perhaps you, a friend, or a family member would benefit from this kind of help and support.  If so, a Stephen Minister may be just what is needed.

Becoming a Stephen Minister.

For those who would like to come alongside and support others in a more intentional way, we provide training to become a Stephen Minister.  Through the training, you will receive practical, hands-on learning and resources to provide Christ-centered care and meet the emotional and spiritual needs of others.  Stephen Ministry promotes discipleship and deepens spiritual growth.

As a Stephen Minister you will also be supported in your ministry by our Stephen Leaders who will help you grow as you help others.  Being a Stephen Minister may be one of the most rewarding opportunities you will ever embrace.  Stephen Ministry makes ministry happen!

Find Out More.

To learn how a Stephen Minister can help you or someone you know – or how you can become a Stephen Minister – contact Donna Trostle at StephenMinistry@StPetersFL.com.  Training will begin in the fall of 2021.  Your request will be confidential.

Body Ministry

By The Rev'd Dr. Jeff Trostle, Director of Pastoral Care

It is an oft overlooked truth that God has given each one of us a gift, maybe several, and he expects us to use those gifts to encourage others.

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church in Corinth because they were misusing the gifts of God, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.”  They were using the gifts God had given them to impress others, certainly not out of love.  The idea behind this is that God gives gifts to all of us not for our own use but for the common good of the church, the body of Christ.

He went on to explain to them that the church is like the human body.  Just as our human bodies are made up of many individual parts, each part playing a role in the proper functioning of the body, so the church, Christ’s body on earth, is also made up of many individual parts, each part playing a role in the proper functioning of the church.  When one part is damaged or broken neither the human body nor the body of Christ can function properly.

Paul calls these gifts “the manifestation of the Spirit,” and tells us that God gives every one of us a gift.  “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”  God has given each one of us a role to play in the church based upon the spiritual gift(s) he has given us.  This is a very real and practical work of the Holy Spirit in each of our lives, a practical way we can experience the Holy Spirit working through us for the sake of others and for God’s glory!  In 1 Corinthians 12-14 he discusses many of the gifts which I encourage you to read. 

The body of Christ needs everyone of us to be involved using our gifts in building up one another, bearing one another’s daily burdens, consoling, comforting, admonishing, teaching one another that we are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love one another.  In this way the world will know that we are Christ’s disciples.  If we think these things should be left for clergy, then we will have a church that does not function as God intended.

This is body ministry:  Every member doing their part in using their gifts to God’s glory and the benefit of others.  If you don’t yet know what your spiritual gifts are, we can help you discover them and show you how you can utilize what God has given you.

In the coming weeks I will have more to say about the Ministries of Pastoral Care, and opportunities for you to make a difference in the lives of others.