The parish has a team of Pastoral Assistants (PAs)
covering all three churches. Their names
are listed in the Directory in the centre
of each parish magazine. They have all
completed the Diocesan Training Course
for Pastoral Assistants and are commissioned
to represent the church and the clergy
in the tasks they undertake.
In practice, these tasks vary a great
deal. There is an ongoing need for
visiting and supporting those who
are elderly, housebound, ill or in
hospital, and also offering support
to their families if necessary. Family
problems relating to stress, children,
marriage, etc. are all too common,
and sometimes an opportunity to talk
to an independent person, who will
listen without being judgmental, can
be of great help.
Other areas in which PAs assist the
clergy are bereavement care, marriage
preparation, helping with the Little Adventurers, and taking Communion to the
housebound. A group regularly visits
Avens Court, one of the Residential
Homes in the parish, taking Communion,
singing hymns and, where appropriate,
chatting to the residents.
The bereavement support group 'Next
Step' provides an opportunity for
people to find companionship and understanding
with others in similar circumstances.
The Cancer Support Group has a telephone
helpline where cancer patients, their
carers or family members, can find
a listening ear and often some practical
help.
In fact, most of the time, listening
is what it is about. The pace of life
frequently means that finding someone
prepared to give the time to listen
non-judgmentally and in complete confidence
is very much appreciated. Pastoral
Assistants recognise this need and
are happy to spend time with anyone
who has worries or anxieties and who
would just like to talk them through
with someone.
One of the difficulties in a large
parish is actually keeping up to date
with those who are ill or in hospital
and identifying other areas of need.
So if you become aware of anyone who
is unwell and would like a visit,
or who has other specific needs, do
please pass on any requests for help,
either to one of the clergy or to
any of the Pastoral Assistants.
