PASTORAL
Jesus told us in his parable about the Good Samaritan to “Love your neighbour as yourself”. Therefore, as Christians we all have a responsibility to try and care for those we meet both at church and within our community. Some may see this as a picture with everyone being cared for under a large pastoral umbrella.
How does it work?
This can sometimes be through greeting and welcoming people; meeting regularly in small groups to get to know each other better; providing practical help when it is needed; or being alongside each other at difficult times. It can also be through acts of friendship and kindness which can be seen as Christian witness by sharing God’s love with our neighbours.
What do we offer?
Opportunities are always available for individual prayer with trained people from our prayer ministry team after our Sunday service at Church.
In addition, there are times, when, at any age or stage during our journey through life, we may need extra pastoral care, support for specific situations and circumstances or a personal visit. Help can usually be provided at Church by people in our Pastoral support team members, who have appropriate skills, training and experience. This can be offered by contacting either the Vicar or the Pastoral Care Coordinator who will arrange the most appropriate response, if possible.
Some of the Pastoral Care we provide includes –
- · Visits and services to local Care Homes
- · Home visits to the sick or lonely
- · Transport runs for Members of our Congregation
- · Praying for those in need
- · Helping with questions about faith or the Church
- · Our Food Chain
- · Keeping in touch with those we’ve not seen on a Sunday for a while
You may just need to talk to someone about a personal or family crisis. We will listen and help in whatever way we can.
Who do we contact?
For more information please contact either the Pastoral Team Coordinator, by e-mail on stpauls.pastoral@gmail.com
People who do not have access to a computer can leave their name and contact details at the church office on 01628 525512 and our Pastoral Team Coordinator will reply to them.
What else do we do to build fellowship at St. Paul’s?
We also have a large number of activities which build fellowship within our congregation many of which extend out to the local community. These groups act as an important part of our Pastoral Support.
- · Family Breakfast held monthly at St. Mary’s,
- · Friday Communion, followed by lunch held weekly at St. Mary’s, during term-time,
- · Sunday Club for Children aged 4-12, during our Sunday Morning Service,
- · JAG (Jesus and God) Group for children aged 10-16, half termly on Sunday afternoon,
- · Messy Church: arts, crafts and play sessions held during school holidays
- · St. Paul’s Summer Open afternoons with tea and cakes,
- · Various House Groups,
- · Men’s Pub night, held monthly,
- · Prayer Groups,
- · Special Events and Fun Activities,
- · Coffee and Conversation; monthly coffee morning for adults,
- · Regular Sessions with St. Paul’s School, including Services, Assemblies, and Prayer Tents.
If you are interested in one of the above but are unsure of who to contact, please use the Pastoral email and we can put you in touch with the relevant person.
We believe everyone at St. Paul’s has a role to play in caring for and supporting each other, whether it’s helping out at one of our ‘Messy Tuesday’ sessions, offering a lift to a member of our congregation or baking a cake.
Where can you get involved? Contact us to find out more.