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In November, a group of interested parishioners met to have a facilitated conversation about pastoral care at St. John’s. We talked about what we understood by pastoral care, our experiences of when we had given and received it, or when it was lacking.  We began to explore how we could create a network that would identify people in need and then call upon other parishioners who have volunteered to be available to visit, or assist in other ways.

The ideas generated at that workshop have been incorporated into a proposed Circle of Care. Traditionally, this ministry has been known as pastoral care. The name Circle of Care has been chosen instead because it describes a way of ensuring compassionate support that is not limited to pastors or those with formal pastoral care training. We all know and have reached out to people who are living through a serious illness, or are grieving a loss, or feel lonely and unloved. The Circle of Care will be a way of making sure that no one who needs and wants this kind of care is left out. 

I would like to invite you to learn more about how the Circle of Care would work, and how you can become involved, at a post-service gathering following the 10:15 am service on February 22. For the Circle of Care to be effective, we will need volunteers who are willing to take on specific tasks such as phoning, visiting or driving to church. This meeting will be an opportunity for you to consider if this ministry is something you would have to time to support.

I look forward to seeing many of you there on February 22. If you have any questions before then, please feel free to email me here.