Purpose:
The extended care program has been established specifically to provide
pastoral care for our more senior members of the church family, who are
housebound due to failing health or other circumstances, and are
therefore unable to attend Sunday worship on a regular basis, or
participate in small group.
Pastoral Visits:
A pastoral visitor is allocated to each
person in the
program. Through their regular visits the visitors endeavour to build
relationships, providing spiritual care and in some situations,
practical assistance where necessary. The team consists of twenty
dedicated volunteers who are faithfully committed to the extended care
ministry.
Outreach:
A visitation program
has now been established which involves regular visits to several
residents of a nearby residential care facility. This ministry which is
provided by five members of our team, is greatly appreciated by the
elderly residents who eagerly look forward to the weekly visits.
Training:
Training sessions for all pastoral visitors are held once a term. The
team appreciates the time spent together as a small department and in
particular the invaluable teaching on relevant topics from the guest
speakers. This enables our skills to be updated, thus enhancing the
extended care ministry.
