Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is provided when a faithful person is truly present in a listening, compassionate, non-controlling manner to an individual or group for the purpose of consciously or unconsciously representing God to them and seeking to respond to their spiritual needs. ~ Community of Hope International
Pastoral care is an important responsibility, and here at St. Phillips it is a priority. Yes, your spiritual and physical wellbeing is vital to our relationship. Our clergy have extensive training in care of souls in the church and clinical setting. We also lean on our call and spiritual gifts to provide excellent care.
We strive to make sure that we meet or exceed expectations and that not one member is able to fall through the cracks. Part of our growth and development includes training and equipping lay leaders to care for members of the congregation. This ministry is a shared one and not reserved for clergy only. Properly trained lay pastoral caregivers bring with them the resources, wisdom and authenticity of the Christian life.
Listening with the ear of our hearts
Lay caregivers strive “to listen and attend with the ear of our hearts” to the calling of the Holy Spirit, surrendering ourselves and responding in obedience. This sometimes stretches us to grow beyond our comfort zone. Praying and trusting in the Holy Spirit to equip us for situations is often rewarded with the privilege of being present with another who feels safe enough to trust us with their deepest fears, suffering, pain and burdens.
The clergy and lay caregivers at St. Phillips participate in ministries like bringing eucharist to the homebound, visiting sick and lonely persons in various settings, being present with those who are mourning and praying with and for others. If not in person then we are present with others as we make telephone calls, write notes, make and deliver prayer shawls, do drive-by visits, and in the future help deliver meals and groceries and provide transportation for medical appointments. Our pastoral care, outreach and caregivers are active in food pantries, resource centers, homelessness ministries, veterans’ support, animal support, world missions and more by being knowledgeable and able to make referrals to these various services.
Our goal is to create friendships and strengthen our parish community in and outside of the church.
One of our strengths is each Tuesday we meet for healing prayers and Bible study, where we worship, share, debrief, learn and pray. The emotional and spiritual nourishment received at these gatherings prepares us for ministry. It is in this setting we triage and develop strategies to care for our community.
Pray for us as we try to gather the power of many hearts to care for Christ’s Body. That’s how we plan to become a community that ministers to the friends of Jesus.
