Pastoral Visitors Group
Father Stephen Stavrou, St Michael's assistant curate , writes:
Every Christian is called to care, and the presence of a dedicated Pastoral Team is a particular sign of the love that Christ requires of all of us.
I would therefore like to commend the dedication and enthusiasm shown by the dozen or so members of our congregation who make up our Pastoral Visiting Team, and emphasise the value of their ministry. In particular, we are grateful to Jane Thomson (who chaired the group in the 'interregnum' prior to my arrival and whilst I settled in) and Helen Brocklebank who recently agreed to be Secretary to the group.
Following the recent departure of several long-serving and much-valued members, we have recruited three new Pastoral Visitors. They are currently participating in a programme that includes theological education, pastoral training and practical experience. This has presented us with an opportunity to reflect on the nature and focus of the group's work in the light of the ministry needs at St Michael’s, and to review how this has changed since the group began.
The Visitors (some of whom are pictured above with Father Stephen) have for some time now focused and refined their ministry of baptism visiting in response to the large number of parents applying to St Michael’s for Holy Baptism for their children. We have well over 30 baptisms each year, which makes this aspect of our church life a central part of our ministry and mission.
As a part of our visits, we seek to make parents aware of our facilities for children and stress that children are welcome at all times and to all Services at St Michael’s. The success of this ministry can be seen on any Sunday morning when many families with babies and very young children are present. This is particularly evident on Mothering Sunday, when a large number of parents, whose children have been baptised in recent years, regularly respond to a personal invitation to come along to that Family Service.
Currently, the Pastoral Visitors’ ministry among families is one of the main sources of our Church’s numerical growth. Every year, a number of adults are baptised and/or confirmed as a direct result of coming into contact with St Michael’s through infant Baptisms.
In addition to their work with baptism families, for whom they also organise an annual summer 'get together' in the Vicarage garden, Pastoral Visitors may also visit the sick and newcomers to the parish, and attend the monthly mass at Homecross House, our local 'sheltered' housing for the over 60s.
If you are interested to discuss pastoral visiting further please contact me, Father Stephen, via the Parish Office