Saint Benedict Episcopal Church

  When you hear the term Pastoral Care what comes to your mind? Is Pastoral Care something that only a clergy person can do? Do you have to be on your death bed to be anointed with healing oil? I recently watched an old black and white movie which had the most interesting vignette: a bed stricken mother struggled with an illness but there seemed to be hope. Suddenly, the music changed from hopeful to foreboding and the children watched as the priest, an older man dressed in black, entered the house. Moments later, the ill character was dead as the priest left the scene. Once upon a time, pastoral care was the purview of Priests alone and a pastoral visit meant that this life was coming to a close.

The church’s view on pastoral care has evolved as we have come to recognize that more than just clergy are capable as being companions and more than just those dying are in need of pastoral visits. A study recently conducted in our diocese found that the most viable, vibrant pastoral care models being used in churches are ones that invite clergy and lay people to work along side each other caring for those parishioners in need of pastoral care.

Giving Pastoral Care means that we are present with another person, available to pray with them. Through our listening and our presence we find grace and healing. We are currently putting together a new team of people who are willing to visit people and be a listening presence. Pastoral Care means that we reach out to folks who are in need and we are present to them in their needs. It may mean that we help articulate those needs back to the community or do some problem solving, however more than anything, pastoral care is about being present to another person.

Sometimes it means that we bring communion with us. For other people who simply want a visit, it means we are available to simply listen. This kind of presence sounds simple, however it is like watching a figure skater on the ice—while it may appear effortless, it is truly a gift and requires some practice.

As we put together our Pastoral Care team, we will give people the chance to practice as it were; giving good training and formation for all pastoral care givers. Zula and Tony, our deacons are working with me to help create the programming for training. In addition, we will give new people making visits the chance to go out with an experienced visitor so that new members of our care team will have the chance to see how comfortable they are in this new ministry role. Being a pastoral care provider is not everyone’s calling, but it is a necessity of the church to provide adequate care to all members in our community and to be present with those who maybe isolated from the community for any number of reasons.  It is learning to listen and be present that is the real gift of pastoral care.

When we are present to another person who is in need, we ourselves become vulnerable and this kind of active presence and listening is tough work, but like any art form, it is grace filled and a wonderful gift. Being present and in relationship to someone who may be experiencing illness or a crisis of one sort or another can allow us to be Christ for another person.

I believe that it is in this kind of relationship that we can allow healing to occur for both ourselves and for the person we are visiting. All too often we associate healing with cure, and sometimes that is how healing is manifested. However, healing can also be a restoration or a chance to remember our connection to God through the Eucharist or through our relationship with each other. Our presence as pastoral care givers is a source of Christ’s presence in the world through the Church.

I wonder if God is calling you to the work of Pastoral Care. I invite you to consider this important ministry. I welcome you to try on and discern if serving others through visits or being a Eucharistic Visitor might be a calling for you.