Pastoral Care is a central way of how Christians are called to care for one another.
The Clergy have a primary responsibility for those entrusted to their spiritual/pastoral
care and make regular visits to members of the parish who are homebound, in the
hospital, or have other pastoral needs. Nonetheless, it is not the Clergy's responsibility
alone to care for the members of the parish. All baptized persons have a responsibility
to care for one another and reach out to those in need; both within the parish and
beyond our membership.
About Pastoral Care ministry
At various times in our lives we find ourselves in need of
the care and support of our Christian family. Pastoral care is how the church demonstrates
its love and concern for its members in time of need.
Pastoral opportunities generally present themselves at difficult
times such as long or short term illness, hospitalization, being confined to a home
or nursing facility, dealing with family and personal problems, job loss, birth
of a child, bereavement, etc.
According to the Episcopal Church's website (www.episcopalchurch.org)
"The work of pastoral care has always been deeply rooted in Anglicanism. It has
been seen as the first work of the parish priest and of the bishop in a diocese."
Yet, to be successful, the pastoral care program needs to be a unified effort put
forth by the Rector, Eucharistic Visitors, members of the Pastoral Care Team, and
members of the Prayer Chain.
God's love is expressed in a variety of ways through the caring
commitment of the Rector and members of the parish:
- Pastoral visits to provide a caring, listening presence (Rector)
- Bring Eucharist to individuals who are housebound or otherwise unable to attend
Sunday Services (Rector, Eucharistic Visitors)
- Provide transportation to church or to/from doctors' offices when transportation
is a problem (Team)
- Provide meals during times of illness, bereavement, or return from a hospital stay
(Team)
- Run small errands for parishioners temporarily unable to do so on their own (Team)
- Deliver flowers from the altar to someone hospitalized, ill, grieving, or in joyful
celebration of the birth/adoption of a child (Team)
- Pray for the individual or family's physical, mental, spiritual well-being (Prayer
Chain)
All St. Paul's family members are invited and encouraged when needs arise to reach
out for help and support via the following points of contact:
- Pastoral Emergencies (e.g. Hospitalization, Illness, Crisis situation) - Parish
Office (610-363-2363)
- Pastoral Care and Eucharistic Visits for homebound and others - Parish Office (610-363-2363)
- Intercessory Prayers - Parish Office (610-363-2363)
- Following Needs:
- Provide transportation to church or to/from doctors' offices when
transportation is a problem
- Provide meals during times of illness, bereavement, or return from a hospital stay
- Run small errands for parishioners temporarily unable to do so on their own
- Deliver flowers from the altar to someone hospitalized, ill, grieving, or in joyful
celebration of the birth/adoption of a child
Contact:
Ms. Nancy Pollock
(610) 696-3138
Peggy LaGarde is serving as the Vestry liaison for this initiative and
Ms. Nancy Pollock is chair of the Pastoral Care Committee. Anyone
interested in being part of this very important ministry in answer to God's call
to love one another may contact
during coffee hour, by phone at
(610) 696-3138, or e-mail:
nancypollock46@msn.com.