1957 Pruneridge Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95050 :: directions | email :: 408.296.8383
The Pastoral Care committee consists of Canon Linda, Stephen Ministers, and other members of the parish who are committed to pastoral ministry. The committee meets regularly to review in complete confidentiality the ministerial needs of parishioners and others in the community, and to take action or make referrals as appropriate. If you or someone close to you needs pastoral care, or if would like to know more about the activities of the Pastoral Care committee, please let us know by calling the church office or by contacting Canon Linda or Sharon Martin, Chair of the Pastoral Care committee.
We have several active ministry groups at St. Mark's. For more information about any of our groups, please select one the links to the left.
Stephen Ministers provide a supportive, listening presence on an individual basis to those in our congregation, or in the wider community, experiencing difficult life situations. Our ministers are committed lay persons who have received intensive training and have been commissioned by the clergy. Their care is carried out in strict confidentiality and under clergy supervision.
Anyone wishing to become a Stephen Minister must take part in an intensive training program consisting of 50 hours (20 weeks) of training taught by trained Stephen leaders and members of the clergy. After completing training, Stephen Ministers are commissioned and assigned care receivers by the clergy. A Stephen Minister commits to actively serving for 18 months after the completion of training.
Even if you are not a Stephen Minister, you play an important role in our Stephen Ministry. Our Stephen Ministers need your prayerful support as they confidentially meet with their care receivers every week. Our Stephen Leaders also need your help in identifying people who might benefit from a Stephen Ministry relationship. If you see a friend, coworker, neighbor, relative, or someone else who could use some extra Christian care, tell that person about our Stephen Ministry (there are brochures in the parish hall) and give them these numbers to call if they want more information: Jani Wild at (408) 687-7280, Celia Watson at (408) 247-2311, Betsy Fox Fisher, the referral coordinator (650) 233-9611, or talk with Canon Linda.