Elizabeth Ministry

What is Elizabeth Ministry?

Elizabeth Ministry is an international movement designed to support women and families during the joys, challenges and sorrows of childbearing years and beyond.

How does it Work?

Ministers are women sharing their presence, stories, and experience in the hope that these will encourage another woman and her family. Volunteers become ministers in the areas they have experienced.  For example, a woman who has twins would visit and mentor a woman expecting twins.

Why is this Ministry Important?

In the past, women found support during childbearing years from the family, neighborhood and church.  Today, many women feel isolated from these supports. 

How is this Ministry done?

The Elizabeth Minster makes a visit representing the church community.  She often present a special gift kit of inspirational gifts and resources to the person she is visiting.

Follow-up contacts are made as needed by phone, mail, and/or in person.  These visits may take place in homes, in the hospital, or at church.

The outreach foster a companionship based on personal experience, formal knowledge, and the acquired skills of the participants.

It enables women to be mentors for on another in the magnificent adventure of bringing new life into the world.

Opportunities for Involvement

Pregnancy

Ministers bring a Gift and Resource Kit to a pregnant woman and visit or phone her at least once a month during the pregnancy and for approximately six months after the baby is born.

Celebration of Birth

Ministers bring a Celebration of Birth Gift and Resource Kit to a family of a newborn.  Ministers visit or phone families once a month for about six months to keep in contact.

Crisis or Special Needs

The joy and celebration of birth can be unrealized when a child is born premature, is in an intensive care nursery, or has special needs such as surgical intervention or a chronic illness.  Ministers bring a Gift and Resource Kit and keep in contact with the family for at least six months.  Ministers notify a Prayer and Blessing Team Leader to ask for special prayers if the woman so desires.

Prayer Support

The foundation of Elizabeth Ministry is prayer.  Ministers can become Prayer Partners, a Blessing Ritual Leader or be involved in the Prayer Network.  Ministers offer a spiritual presence, daily prayer. Some are trained to plan and lead special blessing rituals.

Family Support

 At times a Minister needs to provide help in family living, which may include:

Direct Service – babysitting, running errands or making meals.

Special Friend – Children of our church without extended families in the area benefit from a special “church friend” who acts a grandparent or aunt/uncle.  Visits take place in the presence of the parents.

Behind the Scenes

Preparations that take place behind the scenes are precisely those that enhance a particular ministry.  People are needed to make items for the Gift and Resource Kits, such as booties for the Celebration of Birth Gift and Resource Kits, and angels for the Miscarriage Gift and Resource Kits.  People are also needed to assemble the Kits.

For more information contact

Julie Kresal

(920) 739-0331 ext. 318

jkresal@stbernardappleton.org

Click here for the Elizabeth Ministry International website.