Pastoral Care: Walking Together in Faith and Life

Photo by Biegun Wschodni on Unsplash

Join us at 10am on Saturday morning for training in pastoral care

Mother Anna writes:

Shortly after I was first ordained, I bumped into one of my neighbours. “Oh!”, he said, a bit shocked, “I didn’t know you were a pastor!”

I was a bit shocked myself – never once in my four years of discernment and training, had it occurred to me that anyone would ever call me pastor. In my Northern England childhood anyone in a dog collar was a vicar or a minister. In London I learned to call my parish priest Father. Pastor, never.

The good shepherd

But pastor is a really important title to give to someone who is a priest. It is, after all, what Jesus called himself – pastor is the Latin word for shepherd, and we know that Jesus called himself a shepherd, the good shepherd, and we, his disciples and followers, are his flock. Calling someone a pastor centres the role of the clergy on looking after the flock, loving them, guiding them, going after them when they go astray.

And that idea of the shepherd who cares for the flock is also the heart of what we call pastoral care. Caring for the flock, the people —not just gathered on Sundays, but in the midst of our full, complex lives every day of the week. Pastoral care is the ministry of walking alongside those people in love, prayer, and presence. It is how the church embodies Christ’s compassion in real and tangible ways.

And crucially, pastoral care is not just for pastors. It is a calling laid on us all, a calling rooted in relationship and in the commandment to love one another. When Jesus spoke of the Good Shepherd, he described someone who knows the sheep, calls them by name, and stays close to them in both green pastures and dark valleys. Pastoral care grows from that same spirit of attentiveness and faithfulness and can be shared by us all.

What Is Pastoral Care?

Pastoral care is the spiritual and emotional support offered to individuals and families as they navigate life’s joys and struggles. It includes listening without judgment, praying with and for one another, offering guidance grounded in our faith, and, when words fail, simply being present.

This care shows up in many moments:

• Celebrating births, baptisms, and milestones

• Sitting with those who are grieving or facing illness

• Supporting marriages, families, and caregivers

• Walking with people during seasons of doubt, transition, or hardship

In each case, pastoral care reminds us that no one walks alone.

A Shared Responsibility

While pastors play a key role in pastoral care, this ministry belongs to the whole church. When members check in on one another, offer meals, send notes of encouragement, or pray faithfully, they participate in the work of care. The body of Christ is strengthened when each person uses their gifts to support others.

Pastoral care thrives in communities where compassion is practised daily—not just in times of crisis, but in ordinary moments of connection.

Why Pastoral Care Matters

There are times in all our lives when we need the compassion and care of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Times when a phone call makes the difference between coping and not, when the gift of a hot meal is beyond price, when an offer of someone accompanying us to a hospital appointment makes the prospect bearable. Times of great sadness that nothing will fix, but a quiet companion brings unexpected light into our darkness.

There are times in all our lives when we need pastoral care. And there are times when we are able to offer it. Times when we can visit, pick up the phone, offer the help. Times when we can be the shepherd.

Train to be the shepherd

We have a growing pastoral team at St Aldhelm’s, and until now the ministry has been mostly focussed on visiting elderly people in a local care home and sharing Holy Communion with them. Now it is time to expand the pastoral role – and perhaps time for you to get involved.

If you can offer some time to pick up the phone, pray with people after church or visit people at home, come to church on Saturday morning at 10am for our first training session. Learn about pastoral care, listening skills and more and if you like the sound of pastoral ministry sign up to be part of the team.

10am-12 noon on Saturday 7 February in church. See you there.

Happy shepherding!

Notices

All Saints 890^th anniversary service  A celebratory service of Evensong will be held next Sunday at 4pm at All Saints to mark this special anniversary. All welcome.

Lent Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 18 February – in this season of penitence we will be taking the time to reflect on a short piece of scripture every day. Booklets are available at the back of church and we are hoping to set up a daily WhatsApp message – to join the message group please add Mthr Anna to your contacts and send her a WhatsApp message on 07845 137233. You will receive one message a day and your number will not be visible to other people.

Lent and Holy Week

As usual we will be worshipping on Sunday evenings in Lent with our friends at neighbouring churches. Please see below for times and places.

Weds 18 Feb        Ash Wednesday: 6pm Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes, with incense

Sunday 22 Feb     6pm St Peter’s Bounces Rd

Sunday 1 Mar       6pm St John’s Dysons Rd

Sunday 8 Mar      5.30pm St Stephen’s Bush Hill Park

Sunday 15 Mar    10am Mothering Sunday

                               6pm St Aldhelm’s

Sunday 22 Mar    6pm All Saints

Sunday 29 Mar    Palm Sunday

Thurs 2 April       Maundy Thursday 8pm service

Friday 3 April      Good Friday, 12 noon service

Sunday 5 April     Easter Sunday

                               7.30am Dawn service

                               10am All-age service