HELLO!

Today our Pastoral Care Committee met to discuss our list of persons we visit on a regular basis. Some members make calls, some personal visits, some bring baked good, some, like me. Just bring our loud voice. I enjoy these gatherings, we start with the top of the page and work our way down, two full pages of names and contact information. If you know someone, who you believe would like a visit, from me, from a lay member of our team, please let me know. There are times when I hear about a long-time church member, who can no longer attend services. Family members notice if their loved ones receive calls/visits from the church. They remember all the sales their loved ones attended, worked at, those long hours, all as volunteers. They get upset if the church seems to forget them once they can no longer volunteer. I get that.

However, there are also times when a family will witness their loved one experiencing poor health and know s/he/they can no longer go to church. Often either the minister or lay leaders will note when someone has been missing for an extended period. But it is so much easier when the family reaches out to the church, lets us know. Then we can make plans to stay in touch. Obviously, we can’t do this as often as we would like, the family would like, the long-time member would like. But when we know, we can make plans. Some families are very good to pass on information, to the office, to the minister, to a lay member they know. We appreciate this.

I often say, “I am not a mind-reader”. What I mean by this is my powers of observation are limited to what I can see/hear. If a long-time member is absent for a few weeks, I do not know the reason is a serious health challenge or they are visiting family in another province. I so appreciate church members who keep me abreast of those in the church I don’t see every week. Sometimes I make calls, sometimes I will write an email, sometimes I will send a card. I try to remain in contact wherever possible. If the person I contact sounds like they could use a visit, I offer.

Churches are NOT social clubs. There is more to church than pastoral visiting. There is justice work, education opportunities, outreach. But pastoral care is where the rubber hits the road, where members of a faith community have a sense “I am not alone”, “someone cares about me”.

I brought two prayer shawls to members in hospital, yesterday and today, they were very warmly received. People love it when others are praying for them. We all want to know someone cares about us. Peace, Kevin