PASTORAL CARE AND FELLOWSHIP
The Pastoral Care and Fellowship Coordinator is Brenda Manuel. Her role is to facilitate groups to nurture, care and enrich fellowship for all people associated with Adare Uniting Church.
WHAT DOES ADARE DO TO SUPPORT MEMBERS?
At Adare we facilitate groups to nurture, care and enrich fellowship for all people associated with our Church.
To fulfil this role each person who associates with the church is placed in a group, The group members have the responsibility of mutual care and assisting new people to build good and healthy relationships – initially with the group members and eventually with the wider church and community. The group members, led by a liaison person, are encouraged to gather for fellowship activities several times each year as a way of strengthening the bonds of friendship.
As the focus of the groups is relational, group members are encouraged to support each other at all times, and particularly through times of sickness or adversity. This includes prayers, visitation, and personal assistance. Phone calls are always well received. Recognizing birthdays and anniversaries within the group is also a way this may occur.
As a general rule liaison people have been appointed to lead each group with 15 -20 people making up a pastoral family. Their activities may be social, creative, spiritual, or sumptuous depending on the interests of group members, but should be designed to help each person share and contribute in fellowship. Groups create their own names and plan their own activities. Liaison people can receive direct support in their role from the Pastoral Care and Fellowship Coordinator (Brenda Manuel (0414373678)
As the congregation ages it becomes more difficult for groups to gather. The risk of COVID, and mobility limitations also restrict activity. It is important therefore that group members can receive the weekly newsletter (email?) and can view church services on the website (https://adarechurch.org.au/my-church/newsletters/), or be part of the TAPE Ministry. Liaison people are encouraged to see that this is in place.
Our church fellowship is an important support to our faith community and we all have a part to play to make it vibrant and relevant.
Brenda
click on PASTORAL CARE GROUPS to see 2024 Pastoral Care Groups
