This Ministry is named for Saint Stephen who, (according to "Lives of the Saints", published by John Crowley & Co., Inc.), was a Jew who converted to Christianity about 30 years after the death of Jesus. He rose to a position of prominence among the Christians of Jerusalem. When the Apostles became aware of injustices towards displaced persons, widows and others in need of charity, they chose seven "good and prudent men" to administer and supervise the sharing of possessions with the poor. Stephen was associated with these charitable tasks, He began to speak in public about Christianity, which was then known as "the new faith". He pointed out that the "old laws" of Judaism had been superseded. Some of the traditionalists began to retaliate by accusing Stephen of blasphemy. At this time, Jewish law permitted the death penalty by stoning for blasphemy and so with "grace and fortitude", he succumbed to his injuries. He perished and became the first Christian martyr.

The feast day of St. Stephen is December 26, known in most countries as "Boxing Day" . The feast of Stephen is celebrated in the traditional Christmas carol, "Good King Wenceslaus" .

Stephen Ministry is a program of lay care giving founded by Rev. Kenneth Haugk at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in St Louis, Missouri, in 1975. The Ministry is now offered in 10,000 congregations in North America, by over half a million Stephen Ministers.

Stephen Ministry provides one-to-one Christian Care for those experiencing difficulties such as the death of a loved one, divorce, loneliness, illness, job loss, and other stresses or challenges. This Ministry has been at Holy Cross for seven years. Stephen Ministers receive 50 hours of care giving training offered through the Stephen Ministries organization in St. Louis. The training is offered at Holy Cross and also at other Anglican Churches in Calgary.

Holy Cross has six Stephen Ministers, prepared to give confidential, Christ centred care to those in need: Sheri de Bruijn, Wendy Dickin, Anne Millen. Marvel Miller, Sandi Poile and Marlene Stevenson. Through an arrangement with St Edmond's Parish in Bowness, the Ministers now offer an outreach program to members of that congregation as well.

If you are experiencing difficult times, consider pairing up with a Stephen Minister. All you need to do is contact Rev. Kyle or the Stephen Leader, Marvel Miller. You will be assigned to a Stephen Minister as your confidential Care Giver. Meetings with your Care Giver will typically be once a week for about an hour. You and your Care Giver will establish an appropriate time and place for meetings.

If you know someone who you think would be helped by having a Care Giver, please urge that person to contact Kyle or Marvel in confidence.

If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, look under the "Growing in Christ : Learning and Doing" Menu item, or call Marvel Miller.