Jesus said, ‘I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ (Matthew 25.35–36, 40)
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is a vital part of the spiritual work of the church, to be with those in need or suffering in spirit, mind or body. We are there for others in a number of ways:
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Visiting those who are ill, recovering from surgery, or housebound, whether in hospitals, care homes, or their own four walls.
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Accompanying the dying in palliative care, whether at home or in hospice.
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Standing alongside those who are bereaved and grieving, committing ourselves to ensuring a fitting send-off and celebration of the life of the their departed loved one. (What more we do is outlined in the Funerals page.)
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Opening the church every Saturday morning from 10 am to 12 pm for people to drop by, have a cup of tea or coffee, say a prayer, light a candle, or speak with one of our clergy.
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Making ourselves available to listen confidentially when people are experiencing emotional distress or spiritual difficulties, and don’t know where else to turn.
At St James’s we are blessed by a number of individuals with many years of experience in pastoral care.
If you would like to call on the parish for pastoral care, please don’t hesitate to be in touch via the Contact us page.