Communication – the main role clearly is to facilitate communication, within the family and between the family & church leadership  

Encouragement – to encourage all family members to be involved in the pastoral care for each other to the extent they are able. This is not a role in which liaison people are expected to do all the visiting etc.

Special care – Refer special caring needs (illness, bereavement, crisis) to Rev Ian Kitto or John Magor (Coordinator of the Pastoral Visitation Team).

Special events – Organize any “getting to know you” social events and arrange for the distribution of cards (e.g. birthday, anniversary, seasonal).

Worship – Use your family team members to note if anyone is missing from worship (if they are able to attend) and follow up if there seems to be a problem. If a member of your family cannot attend, maybe offer to bring them a “CD” of the service (see Adrienne Hewitt or Jim Miles).

From our Minister

Families are peculiar and contrary beasts. Sometimes we just can’t stand a particular part of our human family. We can feel dreadfully upset and hurt by some words and actions. Yet they continue to be part of the family, so we need to exercise immense grace and forgiveness if we are to continue to relate together.

Our church family likewise has people who come and go, who run hot and cold, and who sometimes react with hurtful words and actions.

We are called to follow the example of Jesus. We are to always ensure our motives and responses are gracious. This may be difficult, yet it is our goal. When people are ungrateful and unappreciative of our well-meaning efforts, it means we get lots of practice at modelling grace towards them.

In spite of these difficulties, I encourage you to be gentle on yourself, and hand the difficult and prickly situations to God. You will be blessed.