“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
If we think of the Church as a family, then we understand it’s our job to look after one another – indeed, that’s often the clearest expression of our love for each other.
Everywhere you look in the New Testament, the early Church is being encouraged to ‘one another’ one another: bear with one another, build one another up, care for one another, weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice…
So, whilst this is the task of every Christian, some feel particularly passionate and want to offer their time and energies in this sort of ministry.
Pastoral Visiting
We have a small team who coordinate our efforts in this area: Christine Brandreth, Chris Kershaw and Kath Higgins. You can contact them using our contact form.
They are our ‘first point of call’ – so if you’re concerned about someone, in need of some help yourself or would just like to chat to somebody and you can’t find one of the clergy, please do approach them directly. Any congregation members who think they might like to be a bit more involved (whether that’s in visiting the sick or any other kind of pastoral situation) should contact us using the general contact form.
Above all, the pastoral ministry is the ministry of the Church. As Vicar, Cait does have a particular part to play in that – but vitally, it’s something in which we all share. Do please pray for Christine, Chris and Kath, and give some thought to whether you might like to join in.
Silver Cord
cherish the person, change the community:
two exciting new ventures between
Mottram Parish & Hope Community Churches
Befriending Service
Working together with Awburn House Surgery in the village, we want to help combat loneliness among older people locally. People will be referred to us, or may contact us directly.
Are you willing to give an hour a week (or more!) to befriend someone?
Are you keen to become part of the team or the ‘crowd’?
Joining in the Befriending Service will require formal registration (including DBS check), but we can talk you through all of that. If you’d like to find out a little more and/or volunteer for either of these new ministries, please speak to one of the Clergy or Pastoral Care Coordinators.