Deeper Conversations
Deb is devoted to her family and her relationship with God. “I enjoy listening for God in all of life,” she said. She is a loving, kind person with a quiet strength. You can feel her love and compassion for others and how God lives through her.
Deb and her husband were looking for a progressive faith community close to their new home where they felt welcomed. “We were looking for opportunities for deeper conversations around the ways faith and life connect,” Deb shared. “As new members of Easter Lutheran Church, we were looking for a small group where we would have opportunities for spiritual formation, reflecting on how God shows up in our everyday lives.”
They attended the monthly group Table Talk and found an open group where people can come as able. “The material is carefully chosen to invite a deeper conversation around faith and life,” Deb said. “The group brings life experiences that challenge us and deepen our way of knowing God, who is our constant companion.”
Deb truly enjoys the way participants share not only their faith, but their wonderings, questions, and challenges in a respectful way that invites others to risk doing the same. Deb finds this group to be accepting of one another and nonjudgmental. “The group discussions always lead us to a deep love for all the ways God weaves in and through our lives, especially in challenging times.”
At her previous church, Deb led a program called BeFriender Ministry. Easter’s Community Care Pastor learned of her experience and invited Deb to help bring that program to Easter to extend the pastoral care ministry.
In 2018, a leadership team was formed and attended BeFriender Ministry training-- a program for churches to train volunteers for pastoral care. This program is built on four main principles: God is present, caring not curing, non-judgmental presence, and active listening. Using this material, the first group of Easter Care Companions was trained in 2019, and several volunteers continue beyond their initial two-year commitment. “It is truly a blessing to share in this ministry and the powerful support that a ‘listening presence’ can bring to others.”
Thank you for your contributions to Easter Lutheran Church that make groups like Table Talk and Care Companions Ministry available to help us grow in our faith and serve the Lord.
