Introducing the Synod Care Companion Network

Jul 31

Care Companions

In response to requests from pastors and lay leaders across our synod to respond to our changing world and meet the pastoral care needs of our congregations and communities, the La Crosse Area Synod is excited to announce the launch of a Synod Care Companion Network to be made up of trained lay pastoral care providers.
Trained pastoral care leaders will be known as "Care Companions" across the synod. While our granted program partners with BeFriender Ministry for newly trained Care Companions, as the network of Care Companions is developed, those currently serving in congregations with training through Stephen Ministry will also be heartily welcomed into gatherings and network opportunities as well in the months to come.

We are now accepting applications for training of up to 30 Care Companion leaders as we form this synod-wide network.

Please note: You must apply through the synod's application form rather than through the BeFriender Ministry website.

Application

Care Companion Leaders will participate in Foundations for BeFriender Ministry Training which includes the standard BeFriender Ministry training program as well as leadership structures to implement in your congregations and throughout the synod. Some of these leaders will then become trainers of BeFriender Ministry to further equip others across the synod.

These trainings will be underwritten 75% by a grant from the Siebert Lutheran Foundation, making the final cost to you $200.

We have three leadership cohort groups scheduled. All training sessions will be only with others from the La Crosse Area Synod so that we can form relationships and develop a network structure that works for us across congregations.

Cohort 1: Four Wednesdays - September 18, October 2, 9, 16
Cohort 2: Four Fridays - November 8, 15, 22 and December 6
Cohort 3: Two Tuesdays and Two Saturdays - January 21, 25, 28, and Feb 1

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the application form at this link. There are several reflection questions included, so you may wish to answer the questions in a Word document and paste them into the online form once you are ready, since answers cannot be saved in the form and returned to later. You can view a sample PDF of the application here. Please apply by August 15th for priority decision.

Additionally, if you would like to nominate someone else to participate in the Care Companion leadership training (which includes the BeFriender training program), you may nominate them using this nomination form by August 5. After nominations are received, the nominee will be invited to submit an application.