What Is BeFriender Training About?

Lay women and men at Risen Savior are specially trained for competence as empathetic listeners who listen with the heart, without judging or advising. They are people committed to spiritual growth. Topics include:

* Listening without advising,counseling, or rescuing
* Understanding boundaries and self-care
* Practicing mutuality
* Recognizing the spiritual questions we have in crises
* Praying with others
* Understanding the specific needs of those experiencing loss, illness, aging
* Keeping confidentiality

Training materials are from the national BeFriender Ministry office located in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Training will be held starting in October 2011.  Please contact Nancy at 952-698-1723 if you are interested in learning more about becoming a BeFriender.

After training, BeFrienders attend continuing education and ministry reflection groups for continued growth and supervision.

What do BeFrienders Do?

LISTEN! LISTEN! LISTEN!
They reach out to you and me! They accompany parishioners experiencing difficulties because of:

* Death of a loved one
* Divorce or separation
* Unemployment or transition
* Serious illness
* Aging

"Why Would I Need A BeFriender? I Have My Family and Friends to Support Me in Difficult Times."

The support of your family and friends is certainly important to your well-being, but a BeFriender may have something to offer that others cannot:

A Good Listener: A BeFriender is not as emotionally involved as your family and friends. You can be honest about whatever you are feeling without the worry of burdening or hurting your loved ones. You also can be assured that your innermost thoughts will be kept CONFIDENTIAL.

A Part of our Faith Community: Your BeFriender's presence reminds you that you are an important part of the Church of the Risen Savior, and we share in your hurt.

A Spiritual Resource: Your BeFriender may be someone with whom you would like to share your spiritual questions, such as: "Why?" "Where is God in all this for me?" "What’s the meaning of this?"

How Do I Get a BeFriender?

If you think you might like to have a BeFriender journey with you during a difficult time in your life, please call the Pastoral Care Minister at Risen Savior and discuss your needs. She will assign you a BeFriender, if appropriate. Your conversation is confidential.

Please call: Nancy Loyd, Pastoral Minister at 952-698-1723. If you would like to know more about becoming a BeFriender, please call Nancy. She will help you determine if your gifts and time available are a good fit for this ministry. Training is an essential part of becoming an effective care-giver who represents our parish community.