Grace Community UMC
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
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 Stephen Ministry is our congregation’s personal caregiving ministry. It offers one-on-one caring relationships with those who are experiencing a difficult time and who request such a relationship. Stephen Ministers are trained specifically in listening and coping skills, confidentiality, and awareness of resources for assistance and support. To request a Stephen Minister, contact Bob Even (shreveplus60@yahoo.com, 573-5277). Rich Varner richvarner@yahoo.com is our pastoral staff liaison for Stephen Ministry.
  David BryanFamily: Married for 34 years to wife, Carol, retired elementary school teacher. Father to two children, Erin of Charlotte, NC, and Joseph of Shreveport.
Education: B.A. Secondary Education, La. Tech. I am employed by the State of La. but plan to retire early 2010.
Hobbies: fishing, cooking, reading, watching baseball, a game of expectation and hope, much like life, and power naps (while watching baseball).
Why I became a Stephen Minister: I believe there is a basic need in most people to be good Samaritans. Being there for someone in his time of suffering brings me closer to God, for He is the Healer and as I have been rescued from the roadside by the Lord through another, I want to be able to help my brother in the same way, God willing.
ALL MEN ARE LIKE GRASS, AND THEIR GLORY IS LIKE THE FLOWERS OF THE FIELD; THE GRASS WITHERS AND THE FLOWERS FALL BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD STANDS FOREVER. (IST PETER, 1: 24-25)
 Nancy ClarkHistory: Indianapolis, IN., Buffalo, N.Y., Shreveport, LA.
Married: To Paul for most of my life--34yrs. Children: Two sons: Benjamin &his wife Nancy and David & his wife Katie Grandchildren: Three granddaughters, Isabel, Abigail, & London Things I enjoy: My animals- especially my dogs and Texas Longhorns and the donkeys. I love living in the country. I like visiting "out of the ordinary" places. I run & run & run. Love to soak up the mountain air & scuba in the ocean. Favorite place to vacation: Alaska or the ocean --God is constantly amazing me with His beautiful world. Favorite food: Mexican Blessings that really stand out: Christian parents, strong family ties, a Godly husband & sons and fabulous friends. Favorite Bible verses: Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 40:30-31; Psalm 4:10.  Bob EvenBob Even and his wife Pat have been members of Grace for over 10 years. Bob is originally from New Orleans and moved here on a job transfer to Barksdale AFB. Bob and Pat have five grown daughters between them, three sons-in-law and five grandchildren. They are affectionately known as Papare and Mamare, respectively, by their grandchildren. Bob holds an undergraduate degree in Industrial Technology from Southern Illinois University extension at Barksdale and a graduate degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech extension at Barksdale. Bob is the referral coordinator for Stephen Ministry, Pat is involved in the Nursing Home Ministry and both are in the Welcome Ministry. Bob facilitates the Cornerstone small group (Acts 4:11, Ephesians 2:19-22) and is also the chair of the Staff Pastoral Relations Committee (SPRC). He enjoys being a member of the Men of Grace, the JOY small group and BSF.
His hobby is fixing things, like Bob the Builder and exercises regularly, keeping body and soul together and in shape.
Daily devotional readings are a must with many favorite verses, such as Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Psalm 46:10, Psalm 119:105.
Bob’s calling to Stephen Ministry was to help others help themselves and that calling was confirmed in a bible study on Stephen from Acts 6:1-7.
 Virginia GraysonBorn and raised in Shreveport, LA, with 2 brothers and one sister. I still listen to my mother everyday and still say “yes mam”. From my first marriage, I have 2 wonderful grown children, 3 Grandsons and a new Grandbaby on the way.
Fifteen years ago, I married, Bill, my very best friend, my rock in life. I inherited two amazing step daughters and I have the best job in town working for an attorney. I love spending time at Grace, and especially the “Full of Grace” small group. We share stories, “secrets”, cry and laugh, and eat every time we get together. What more can I ask for? These are just a few of God’s many blessings, as it was only a few years ago that I was faced with the sudden death of my Father, and then shortly afterwards Bill was diagnosed with cancer, while I stood by and watched him fight for his life.
Being married to a cancer survivor is a miracle from God because riding the roller coaster of caring for a cancer patient is a whole different journey- dealing with fear, guilt, and not knowing what to do. Having a Stephen Minister who listened, who prayed for me, who helped me believe God is with me and that I’m not alone was such a blessing. Then one day I realized my roller coaster had slowed down, my life was easier, my pain was softer and my faith was stronger. Yes, I still fear the unknown, but God is with me. I asked myself how I could better serve God who has done so much for me and the answer was easy. So here I am today, a Stephen Minister, trying to help others on that speeding roller coaster of life, and enjoying every minute of it.
 Julie Hartley A graduate of Captain Shreve HS and LA Tech University, is a registered dietician and exercise instructor at Will Knighton Health Systems. Julie became a Stephen Minister to further her desire to help those in need spiritually and emotionally as they work through the valleys of their lives. Julie is a busy mom and wife, yet finds time to minister to others in need.
 Christy Little Education: I went to Byrd High School and I have lived here all my life except for 2 years in Japan.
Marriage: I was married to John Little for 19 years. He was the love of my life and I met John on a hayride.
Children: I have 1 beautiful, wonderful daughter Michelle Bond who was born in Japan. It was a experience I will never forget. She gave me 2 wonderful grand children, Ashley Davis, 16, and Allie Davis, 13. I am very lucky to have them live so close to me. Ashley loves taking care of small children. We have not figured out my other grand daughter Allie, she must have some hidden talents.
Pets: I love animals but my birds are my family. I have a Cockatiel named BoBo, he is 15 years old. I have a Love Bird, parakeet named BeBe, I have a Quaker parrot named Kody.
Comfort Food: I love Chinese.
Hobbies: I love reading, listening to Christian music, going to the movies and see something funny. I love to get together with friends and go out to eat.
Favorite Books: I like Christian books and books teaching on prayer. I loved The Shack.
After retiring from LSU Medical Center where I worked for 35 years, my husband passed away and so, at the suggestion of a friend, I came to Grace looking for a church home and felt so at ease here that I stayed. I just love it.
 Bill LowdermilkBill is from the oil patch. He was born in Longview Texas and started school in Vivian, LA. After completing his Louisiana education, he attended Kilgore Jr. College and completed his studies in Industrial Science. He then went on to Texas A&M to study Industrial Engineering.
Bill has maintained a strong work ethic since the 7th grade and still does even though he is now retired. His lays claim to have worked in many fields such as small engine repair, lock smith, U.S. Army, draftsman, Minit Oil Change and Mobil Oil Co.
He is married to Sara and claims two very spoiled cats.
Bill feels called to intercessory prayer and is active with a Wednesday afternoon prayer group, a Thursday morning men’s bible study, a home bible study group, the Cornerstone study group on Saturday evening at Grace, and the hospital visitation ministry which was what led him to Stephen Ministry.  Greg Martin
Married: for 20 years to Linda
Family: 3 children, 2 grandsons Occupation: 30 years in construction Currently specializing in kitchen & bath renovations Love to: fly, play tennis, take & edit pictures, ride motorcyle Favorite movie: Saving Private Ryan Books: Oswald Chambers Linda Martin
 Linda is a graduate of Woodlawn High School whose favorite quotation is “Nothing is so broken God can’t fix it”. She applies this to her caring attitude through Stephen Ministry to help those who want to help themselves. While playing tennis and riding bikes Linda finds time to read the bible and apply it to her daily life in helping others.
 Mary McHalfeyEach of you have heard of, or met the person, that never meets a stranger.
Mary is that person. Mary was born and raised in Shreveport, graduated from Fair Park High School. She is the mother of six children (now grown with ten grandchildren).
She loved her role as homemaker before joining the work force at AT&T.
While working, she also earned a BA in Industrial Engineering Technology and then with the closing of the AT&T plant in Shreveport, Mary returned to school, fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a Registered Nurse.
After many requests from their daughter-in-law Phyllis, Mary and her husband Ronnie attended the first Easter Sunday Service Grace held at thier new location on Ellerbe Road, and as the saying goes, the choice fit like a glove! She soon became a very active member and her husband suggested that she answer the request for volunteers to help out in the church office. Next, they both volunteered at Faith UMC serving meals
each Wednesday. Now, she is known for doing whatever is asked of her, if she can.
Mary heard about Stephen Ministry from Pastor Rob’s sermons and felt it was what GOD wanted her to become a part of. Mary completed her training in 1998, then attended Leadership training in 2005, and loves her role as a caregiver.
 Pam MoreauI came to Stephen Ministry out of concern for a friend whose husband had been diagnosed with brain cancer. I asked Rich Varner to visit them in the hospital because they were unchurched. As Rich and I discussed their circumstances over several weeks until my friend’s husband passed away, Rich asked me if I had ever considered being a Stephen Minister. I told him I developed interest at my previous church, but they did not have a Stephen Ministry program. So, out of concern for a friend, my journey into Stephen Ministry began. Soon into the process, I realized what great opportunity it is for God to use my failures, disappointments, hurts and joys over my life to help someone else who may be experiencing the same or similar hurts. Only our God can turn our negatives into positives, not only for us, but for others as well.
 Kelly PetersFamily: My husband, Jeff, a chopper riding, 18 year veteran on SPD. My two beautiful daughters, Haley, the athlete and Sydney, the girly girl. I have three younger sisters, two are nurses and one is a teacher.
My favorite movie: Willy Wonka (the original) it always makes me happy. Pets: Rowdy, a Maltese and a 5 pound noise maker who thinks he is King Kong, and the latest addition, Gunner, an Amstaf, a 65 pound lap dog that loves everyone and everything. Hobbies: Anything crafty I will try at least once. I am an avid reader and find it a great escape. Favorite escape: Riding my motorcycle anytime and anywhere. No phones, no e-mail, no worries!!! Reason I got involved in SM: It is an opportunity to provide support that I didn't really have during some difficult times in my own life.  David Serra Though now retired, for nearly 30 years David was based in New Orleans, Houston, St. Louis and Dallas and traveled the nation for AT&T, working with other customer companies large and small, helping the company to deliver specialized services to their own customers. As a result David loves people, technology and problem solving.
David served as an instructor in communications technology at the USAF School of Applied Aerospace Sciences at Keesler AFB in Biloxi. While in uniform, Uncle Sam saw fit to send the young electrical engineering grad (Saint Louis University, 1969) to obtain his master’s degree at the University of Southern Mississippi.
A Stephen Minister since 1990, David has always felt that the accountability and fellowship of active church membership is essential to the spiritual health and growth of any Christian. Stephen Ministry has always been an area where he felt he could hit the ground running and serve God in a new city. Since his arrival in 2000, David has trained each of Grace Community’s new classes of Stephen Ministers. He also volunteers as an electrician and computer tech at Common Ground Community’s White House tutoring center in Cedar Grove and at the New Room.
It was actually in an on-line prayer group that David, then based in Dallas, met a kindred spirit in Shreveport, his now-wife Mary. After months online they finally managed to meet and enjoy their first date. “God chose to have me meet my wonderful Mary, who acquainted me with Shreveport and Grace Community, a Stephen Ministry congregation. Sounds like God’s idea of a perfect home and life for me.”
 Sarona SnyderSarona Snyder has attended Grace for approximately 7 years. In addition to being a Stephen Minister for Grace Community, Sarona is involved with the Meals On Wheels, is a member of the Finance Committee at Grace and is a member of the Welcome Ministries. Sarona has also been active with a small group for approximately 4 years. She is married to Matt Snyder and together they have four children, Erin, Paul, Olivia and John whose ages range from 13 to 20.
Sarona has lived in Shreveport since 1986. She enjoys reading, planting flowers and spending time with family, friends and her 4 miniature schnauzers.
Sarona works for a local commercial real estate company as a property manager and leasing/sales agent.
 Nancy TreadwellI grew up on a ranch in South Texas, went to Texas A&M and graduated veterinary school there in 1993. I spent 4 more years specializing in Internal Medicine and have a referral practice here in Shreveport.
I’ve been in Shreveport for 8 years with my sister, her family and my Dad just down the street – perfect! Spending time with family/friends/animals, reading, gardening, bike riding, and listening to the music of the moment are my ways to have fun and relax. My dog, three cats and horse are furry treasures in my life.
Becoming a member of Grace Community and a Stephen Minister are also treasures. I became interested in Stephen Ministry after my husband David died of Lou Gehrig’s disease. I wouldn’t want to think how difficult that process would have been without knowing God’s love. God filled my life with people who loved me, listened to me, and supported me unconditionally. The Stephen Ministry is one way I can show that kind of love to others  Linda Williams
My name is Linda Bolton Williams. I am married to Rob Williams and we have two daughters Mandy and husband Sean Lerchie and Kassie Williams, three beautiful grandchildren Collin, Benji, and Marjorie Kate, and three dogs,  Rich VarnerPastoral Liason
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