Pastoral Care

The Lawyer asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” Jesus answered by telling him the story of the Good Samaritan and asked the lawyer “Who, then, was neighbour to the unfortunate traveller?” The lawyer answered “The one who showed him mercy.”
(Luke ch10 v29-37)

Sharing the joys and sorrows of people is one of our greatest privileges as it mirrors the love of Jesus for all those whom He met. Thus, the care of members of the congregation and people who live in the Parish is one of the most important acts in the life of St Michael's, and something that we take very seriously.

There are several ways in which this care is provided.

1. The Ministerial Team is often the first to know about and address pastoral needs, whether by visits in the home or hospital to those who are ill or bereaved.
2. The parish for church/care purposes is divided up into districts, and each district has one or two elders whose priority is to visit and get to know all the people connected with the church who live in their district. We hope that the district elders become friends of those whom they visit, and can be a support to them, especially in times of need.
3. In addition, we have a Pastoral Care Team, which works alongside the Ministerial Team, caring for those in the parish who are bereaved, or in need in any way. This team also assists the ministers in taking communion to those unable to attend church.
4. The Pastoral Care Team also supports a group of Pastoral Visitors who visit many of the people who are no longer able to get out and about; there is also a group which visits the Care Homes and Nursing Homes in the area.
5. Another important aspect of caring for the congregation is the delivery of tapes of the church services to people unable to get to church for whatever reason and this is a greatly valued service

Because sometimes we do not learn quickly enough of the needs of the congregation and parish, we place cards in the pews. There, people attending church services may write information about anyone in need of a visit either at home or in hospital and pass the cards on to one of the ministers or duty elders.

And then there are the people who visit the church, whom we do not know, but who find the atmosphere of worship and prayer helpful to them. Many just sit quietly, and that is enough. Others find it helpful to put a request for prayer in the prayer box in the Queen’s Aisle, where a quiet time is held every Wednesday at 12.30 p.m. and these requests are mentioned in prayers that day.