Befriender Ministry

Extending pastoral care by providing leadership training and support to equip lay ministers in a ministry of listening.

At different times in our lives, most of us will find ourselves on a difficult journey and in need a caring companion who will listen, empathize, and be a reminder of a caring faith community. Befrienders provide care through a listening presence to anyone experiencing grief, loss, transition, or other concerns due to the death of a loved one, job loss, stress of care giving or parental challenges. Befriender Ministry is not a ministry of “doing,” but of “being,” being present and listening quietly.

You can make a request or referral for a Befriender by calling the church office, contacting the pastor or the pastoral minister, or dropping your confidential request in the Befriender mailbox on the Information Station in Bethel’s Narthex.

Mission
The mission of Befriender Ministry is to educate, form, and support men and women as leaders for a listening ministry of care. Based on a model of mutuality, this national and ecumenical ministry heals hearts, energizes communities, and transforms a suffering world.

  • The Befriender program is composed of trained volunteers.
  • Befriending is an extension of pastoral ministry. It can be formal or informal.
  • Befrienders further develop the skills of listening, self-awareness, perceiving emotions and providing support through training and the monthly meetings.
  • Befrienders do not provide answers to life situations but instead “walk along with someone” who is grieving or experiencing a temporary crisis.
  • Befriending involves awareness of confidentiality, appropriate boundaries, respect for oneself and the Friend, and sensitivity to the needs of each.
  • Befrienders bring their unique personalities and life experiences to their Friend during a difficult time.
  • Befriending becomes more effective when the Befriender reflects on his or her ministry before and after each visit.
  • Befrienders benefit from the support and friendship of other Befrienders during the monthly group meetings.

Meeting Schedule
Our group meets on the first Tuesday of each month (except January and July) from 7:00 - 8:30 pm

History of Befriender Ministry at Bethel and St. Dominic
St. Dominic’s Befriender Ministry was formed in August 1989, and Bethel began their Befriender Ministry in 1998. In 2007, the coordinators of the Befriender Ministry at Bethel Lutheran and St. Dominic Catholic churches joined together to promote the ministry in their respective churches. Together, we conduct training in October of each year, alternating the location of the training between the two sites. The leadership has changed through the years but the Befriender program continues to be a vibrant ministry within our faith communities. We currently have many trained Befrienders who are available to listen. All members are welcome to participate in the training, knowing that the decision of how to use these tools is your choice.

Please contact the church office to get in touch with a Befriender coordinator.