Pastoral Care

Welcome to Pastoral Care at Christchurch
Our pastoral care work has many exciting aspects. Both informally and in a more structured way the whole church is involved in the ministry of care and encouragement, sharing the love of God’s with those we meet. There is a wide network of contacts at a variety of levels.

Alongside the informal ways we express ourselves as a caring church, we have a structured approach with a very large team of about 100 people involved in the Pastoral work. This is headed up by a small pastoral committee who co-ordinate and oversee the various strands of the pastoral ministry. We hope the areas set out below will be of interest and help to you.

Pastoral Visiting
Currently we have about 70 pastoral visitors and area recorders who provide regular links for everyone, regardless of age within the church family. Ilkley and outskirts are grouped into 10 different geographical areas with an area recorder attached to each. Within each area there are a number of Visitors who have a number of church families to visit.

Each month the Visitor will call on those with whom they are linked, taking with them a newsletter from the Church, taking out greetings from the Church, and getting to know their particular people.

Welcoming Newcomers
We like to think of ourselves as a warm friendly church, and new people are regularly joining us. A team of welcomers is on duty each Sunday to meet and greet new contacts, and to share coffee with those who have time to stay after each of the three Sunday services. These help to underpin the friendly welcome shown generally by people in the church.
Once or twice a year we hold a social afternoon or evening, usually at the manse for those who have recently joined the church. The spread of food and warmth of hospitality soon break the ice and have become a traditional way to help people feel they belong.

Home Communion
A large number of our church members are elderly and some now housebound. A group of pastoral helpers assist the minister by celebrating a short service of Holy Communion with them in their homes. This is an extension of the Holy Communion celebrated at Christchurch, and those visited are helped to feel included in worship through this. The monthly ministry is a real blessing to the recipients and helpers alike.

Flowers
A number of people use their talents in arranging flowers for the Sanctuary. These remain in place throughout the week providing a focus for worship, and an atmosphere for quiet prayer and reflection.

On Mondays further helpers take out flowers or plants to some of our church people or their relatives who are ill, in need of some encouragement or sometimes celebrating. They are taken as a gesture to let them know our love and concern or to share their joy.

Listeners
For some time, Christchurch has had a listening and befriending service as part of its outreach. In the Coffee Centre, part of the church, there is someone available each Tuesday afternoon, Thursday morning and afternoon as a ‘listening ear’ for anyone wishing to talk over a concern, or simply want a bit of company and a chat.

Taped Ministry
In order to reach out to those who are housebound or unable to attend weekly worship, we offer a tape recording of the 10.30am service. Along with the ministry of flowers and Home Communion this helps to strengthen a sense of belonging and being part of the church family for worship. The tapes are taken out each Monday, the regular contact proving enjoyable and encouraging for all those involved.

We are a growing, changing praying church. Whatever people’s age or situation we aim to support and encourage one another through the Love of God. We put ourselves into God’s hands asking that He will strengthen and guide us to do His Will.

Pastoral Team November 2007.