On Sunday, February 21, 2010, St. Mark's celebrated its Stephen Ministry and its active ministers: Jane Angle, Lou DeSeau, Larue Dieter, Pastor Elkin, Kathy Eshelman, Shirley Kinney, Gladys Knauss, Jane Larson, Larry Lehman, Catherine Lundy, Carol McMorris, Davis McMorris, Mary Schultz, Connie Shaible, Henrietta Tyson and Carl Weaver.

The church is people with lots of diversity. Common ground is our faith and probably all of us will suffer pain or turmoil in our lives - some expected and some “out of the blue”.

If professional help is not the answer to your personal hurt or struggle, your church is ready to assist if you ask or make a call to the Pastor. Stephen Ministry is alive and well at St. Mark’s and those who have been trained are “in the wings” waiting to serve.

Over the past 12 years 21 committed persons have trained, 5 have retired, and 16 people are actively serving.

Many members and non-members of St. Mark’s have become CARE-RECEIVERS and have communicated their burdens to a special CARE-GIVER. That number is unknown.

“As a long time member and CARE-RECEIVER, I am treated with Christ-like dignity and genuine Christian care and concern," said Larue Dieter, Stephen Minister. "My CARE-GIVER has become a special, spiritual friend, who I can trust with my personal concerns. As once a CARE- GIVER, I needed to trust God’s love and word, engage in prayer and rely on my training to give my best to my CARE-RECEIVERS. They, too, were all special.”

After the service, the Stephen Ministers hosted hospitality featuring "listening ear" cookies, a tasty reminder that Stephen Ministers are always ready to lend a listening ear.