www.wonershchurch.com
Pastoral
Care/Care Team
Care Team
Co-ordinator Sue Metcalfe. (until Sept 2007, Nansi Parker is undertaking
this role)
Click here for
:- Who’s Who in the Care Team
“Be
compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate”
The Care Team
plays an integral part in the pastoral care of members of both churches as well
as the wider communities, seeking to show Christ’s love to our neighbours and
fulfil the vision ‘to reach out’ and
the value of ‘caring for others’.
BibleGateway.com
- Colossians 4:2-6;
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders;
make the most of every opportunity.
6Let
your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may
know how to answer everyone.
The Care Team is a group of people with particular responsibility for ensuring that people in need of help and pastoral care receive it, joining with the clergy in their pastoral ministry. Much of the Care Team’s work is unobtrusive or confidential. Pastoral care arises naturally through people’s friendships and relationships, both personal and, for example, in home groups. Some of the Care Team are trained and qualified to help in specific ways, such as marriage and bereavement counselling, and are available to help in times of illness, accident or other trauma.
Meals in an
Emergency
Contact :- Liz Lister
There is a willing band of cooks who provide
meals for families with new babies, those coming home from hospital and those
needing some support during other crises.
Care for Older
People
Contact :- Liz Tilley, supported by Karen
Munday & Carolyn Hemsley
Liz
Tilley leads in our focus with the over 55 age group. This is also part of our Outreach activity.
All the special events for the senior citizens in the church and village are well attended and enjoyed by all. There is a Harvest lunch, services at Christmas and Easter followed by a delicious tea, and a children’s concert for “Yesterdays Youth”. There is a car lift system for those needing transport, particularly for Thursday morning communion., but this is extending to Sunday mornings as the need arises. We can also arrange to bring Communion to anyone housebound. We are happy to visit where we know that there is need , but please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have any concerns.
Holiday at
Home” took place in August 2007 and was a resounding success, enjoyed by
passengers and crew alike. There were a
series on mini-cruises in the Autumn followed by “Carry on Discovering”
afternoons. Meeting will continue and a
2008 H@H is planned for August:- contact Liz for details.
The clergy are always available to meet those
who are newly bereaved and to discuss funeral arrangements.
See also the page covering Funerals.
Bereavement and
Loss
Contact :- Nansi Parker
Romans 8:39
“neither height nor depth, nor anything
else in all creation, will be able to
separate
us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-40
Coping with life after the death of someone can
be very hard. The Care Team realizes
that going through bereavement can produce many different reactions and
feelings. Whilst no one can fully
understand another’s grief, there are people on the team who can help at this
time. Support through personal visits is
arranged for those who have been bereaved.
A Memorial Service is held each November not only to those families who
have a funeral service in Wonersh or Blackheath but also to church members who
have suffered loss at any time. Those who have attended found it a helpful and
moving occasion.
The Memorial Service will be held again this
year (2008) on Saturday 1st November at 3.00pm at St Johns Wonersh,
with refreshments afterwards in the Selwyn Room. The church will be prepared on
Friday afternoon and any help will be appreciated – cantact Nansi.
General Pastoral Care, Visiting
Contact :-Ruth Fowke.
We recognize that there are people in our community
who may need visiting on a regular basis, especially those who are vulnerable
or who do not fall into any other network of care. We are usually aware of those who are
housebound or suffering from chronic illness, but would like to hear about anyone
else for whom you have particular concerns.
Prayer Chain
Contacts: Christine Merritt and Chris Goldsmith
Prayer is
an important part of our fellowship.
There are a group of people willing to pray for any need, as and when it
arises. We are committed to
confidentiality, so you may be sure that prayer requests will not go any
further within the fellowship. Do let us
know when prayers are answered.
Specialist Support
Counselling
Contact :- Rosemary Mash
A confidential listening ear for those
considering more in-depth counseling or professional help. For those who wish to be referred for
specialized help, or who need more information, access to individuals and
agencies can be provided. Rosemary is a
trained Emmaus Counsellor.
Contact Kevin & Jane Huttley
Marriage preparation days are available for
couples getting married at Wonersh or Blackheath to help engaged couples
understand their relationship and therefore be better able to develop it
throughout their lives together. Bruce
& Brenda Morley provide support in hosting these days. It is hoped to arrange a reunion with some of
these couples. Kathleen Hall assists in
keeping in touch on anniversaries.
See also the page covering Weddings.
Marriage
Difficulties
Contact :- Tony Beet
Support can be provided if difficulties occur
in a marriage or couple relationship.
This can take the form of talking through the problem with guidance as
appropriate or assistance in seeking the most appropriate help.
Marriage
Development
Ian and Jane Scott Thompson lead a course to
help couples enrich their marriage. See www.marriageencounter.org.uk .
Contact :- James Cooke
Church members who are in a Home Group may wish
to let their Home Group Leader of any difficulties which they may
encounter. They are the first line of
pastoral care for the group members.
Blackheath
Contact :- Amelia
Taylor
Blackheath is a strong community and the
services shown above are also available through the church family there.
Contact :- Barry & Chris Goldsmith
Street Wardens deliver the Parish
Magazine monthly and make contact with as many people as possible whilst doing
so. There are some 35 people involved
in this activity
Contact :- Nicky Cooke and Jon Noble.
There is a thriving work amongst our children and young people, with
most age groups meeting on Sunday mornings at the same time as the church
service. There are also some weeknight
activities. As well as having a lot of
fun, all are nurtured in the Christian faith through a wide variety of events. The group leaders also take very seriously
the pastoral needs of the young people in their care.
Chatterbox, led by Chris Evans, has a good
core of families who attend church occasionally.
See also the page covering Baptism.
Other emergency help is always available
through the Care Team. Information on
all that the team offers is available in a small booklet available from the
Church Office.