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Programs - Pastoral Care
Our Goal
No one falls through the cracks
Guiding Principles
• if parishioners are in hospital, they are visited;
• if they are unable to come to the church, they stay connected;
• if they are bereaved, they are comforted;
• if they are going through a tough time, they know they are not alone.
Our care is supported through prayer and
appropriate sacramental ministry.
Visiting Ministries
To help us stay connected with each other, we offer visits to parishioners of all ages,
• at home, wherever they live; this includes nursing homes and long term care residences
• in hospital; for support, silent company, to help with feelings of loneliness or apprehensiveness
• for communion at home or hospital; by a trained lay volunteer or by a member of the clergy
• by telephone; to help people feel connected, especially for people who live alone.
If you or someone you know are unable to get
to St Christopher’s because of illness, frailty, or
just having a difficult time, a parish volunteer
or clergy can visit you wherever you are,
whatever shape you are in.
Visits can be arranged on a regular basis or just
once in a while. You may wish a friendly visit
to keep in touch, or you may have a pastoral
situation you wish to discuss.
Stepping Stones . . . when you have experienced
the death of a loved one
When someone close to our hearts dies,
our journey of mourning begins. This can
be difficult, and our grief at times can seem
overwhelming. It’s hard to imagine where all
the tears come from.
Stepping Stones is a support group led by
trained facilitators. Through listening to others’
experiences and expressing your own, you will
come to understand your journey of mourning.
Each session is five weeks long, and Stepping
Stones meets four times a year. You are
welcome to attend more than one session.
Mending the Spirit . . . for those times when life throws you a curve
Life may throw us many curves, and it
helps to know we don’t have to go it alone.
This support group is for people who have
experienced various disruptions or losses in
life. These may include but are not limited
to the loss of a home, a job, the end of a
relationship or marriage.
Essentially, Mending the Spirit is for you when
you find change overwhelming you or your
self-esteem is faltering. Each session is four
weeks long, and Mending the Spirit meets four
times a year. You are welcome to attend more
than one session.
Prayer
A request to the Prayer Chain is usually made
through the clergy, for special emergency
situations. Prayer is offered every day for two
weeks, by volunteers who include the request
in their daily prayers. Only the people on the
prayer chain are aware of who is being prayed
for. The length of time can be extended as
necessary.
As an alternative, the Prayer List is published
in the bulletin each Sunday. People on the
prayer list are included in the prayers each
Thursday at the 9.30 am worship.
Alongsiders is a prayer ministry, where
parishioners whose active ministry at St
Christopher’s is praying ongoing for other
parishioners, who are unable to take part
in parish life in other ways. Alongsiders
themselves, often have limited access to St
Christopher’s activities and praying for others
helps keep them in touch.
Therapeutic Touch
Therapeutic Touch is offered on Sunday
mornings 8.50-9.15 and 10.30-11.15, by
volunteers with Therapeutic Touch training.
The TT practitioners work with your energy
flow and attempt, with God’s help, to bring
wholeness and relaxation.
A session usually lasts about 15 minutes and is
followed by a period of rest. The treatment is
given with loving intention and compassion for
wholeness and health in mind, body and spirit.
Pastoral Counselling
The clergy are available for individual
appointments. Please call the church office and
speak directly with the clergy.
Seniors’ Luncheons
The week before Christmas and the week after
Easter, seniors are invited to a worship service
at 11 am, followed by a hot luncheon made in
St Christopher’s kitchen.
After lunch the choir leads us in singing
favourite carols and hymns. Every effort is
made to reach people who are unable to
get out to church at any other time. If you or
anyone you know needs a ride to these two
special occasions, please call the church office.
Casserole Comfort
A gift of food (e.g. fresh or frozen casseroles,
baking or desserts) is offered to parishioners
stressed especially by illness once a week.
Referrals may come from clergy and/or family/
friends. The coordinator discusses needs and
options with the family/person directly.
Funeral Hospitality
A reception is available at the conclusion
of funerals or memorial services held at St
Christopher’s, to provide refreshment and an
opportunity for family and friends to meet
together.
Funeral Hospitality is available at a nominal
fee. Your guests are graciously welcomed with
tea and coffee, dessert or a light lunch after the
service, usually before the burial of your loved
one.
Notify the clergy helping you plan the
memorial or funeral service, or call Sandra
Rudge, parish administrator, at 905.634.1809.
All Souls
A service to remember family & friends who
have died on or around November 2nd.
Blue Christmas
A quiet, reflective Christmas service the week before Christmas.
Being a Pastoral Care Volunteer
Being a volunteer in pastoral care is
rewarding as well as challenging. If you have
compassion and enjoy interacting with people– pastoral care may be an opportunity for you.
Interested? Questions?
Please speak with Sue Nicolls
905-634-1809 or
snicolls@stchristophersburlington.com
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