VISITORS WORKSHOP Minutes

held 6 Jun 2013 at the church

Apologies: KeithBoundy, KenDevos, JennyMajor, RossMackinnon, KayeMackinnon, MerleRobinson, MarjorieSnare, JohnSnare, HerbFleming, Bill Morgan, JohnHurst, JanBalson, DavidMorgan, SueMorgan, CynthiaChin, MargaretWilliams, ShirleyHarding, HeatherHon.

JanClear welcomed everyone and asked each attendee to introduce themselves and say whether they were a personal visitor, or a group pastoral representative. Those present were:

• JitTan - representing Asian Families & Bible Study group

• MalcolmChamberlain - representing Men’s Fellowship

• MargaretFraser -Co-ordinator of Leisure Time & retiring Elder

• AnnWylie -Representing United Voices

• DianaColes -Representing UCA

• BevBrown -Representing Adult group

• IanMcMillan -Yellow Fish representative and Visitor

• JohnBoucher & JudyBoucher - both Visitors

• SandraBarnard -Visitor

• GeraldineFleming – Visitor

• JanClear -Pastoral Team, Inclusive Community Co-ordinator &Visitor

• MargaretAllan - Pastoral Team & Visitor

• JennyVass -Pastoral Team & Visitor

• DianeIrvine -Pastoral Team &Visitor

• WarrenBartlett -Retired Minister, steering committee

• BraceBateman -Retired Minister, Chair of Steering Committee & Visitor

• BelindaClear -Children & Families Ministry, & Visitor

• AlaneeHearnshaw -Youth Minister (brief attendance due to other pressures)

Following this introduction we began the evening with the hymn 629 “When You needed A Neighbour”, and a Prayer.

Pastoral Partners Program

written by Sharonne Price in 2000. Jan gave a summary of Sharonne’s credentials and outlined her work with the Sth.Aust Synod. She is an educator and facilitator and is coming to speak on her Holistic and team approach to Pastoral Care and to outline how it could be incorporated into our pastoral program at Glen Waverly U.C. on the weekend 2- 4 Aug 2013. Jan asked all visitors to note this weekend in their diaries.

GailIrvine then outlined some of the areas the program addresses.

• It is a care program that aims to maintain pastoral contact with every member of the congregation.
• Pastoral Partners are offered regular support training and resources to look after their Cluster of 5 families.
• Training Programs include Nurture, and Spiritual Growth

A General discussion and question time followed this presentation :-

• MargaretFraser said the steering committee is looking at the formation of some type of cell groups as a pastoral option.

• JudyBoucher feels FISH groups have been wonderful and would like to see this format maintained

• JennyVass encouraged visitors and Pastoral reps to borrow the Pastoral Partners manual (available through the office or from JanClear) as there is a lot of information to absorb, prior to Sharonne coming to speak to the congregation.

the Different Roles between the current Visitors and Pastoral Group Representative

Visitor

• Provide Personal contact on a regular basis with assigned families
• Grow a rapport that enables the recipient to discuss their spiritual journey with you if desired, and their feelings regarding worship at GWUC.
• Pray with or for your person’s well being, share both joys and concerns. Offer a comforting passage of scripture for reflection.
• Report to Visitation Committee or Pastoral Team any concerns such as illness, bereavements, difficulties etc that may require extra support from within the congregation.

Pastoral Group Representative

You are a Liaison person and not expected to do everything yourself for those within your group.

• Keep an eye out for anyone that has been missing for some time, check whether on holidays or ill.
• Be the contact person that either group members or other church members can inform of any illnesses, bereavements, or difficulties of someone within your group.
• From information received, devise a plan of action.
• If close to your weekly/monthly meeting time, you could ask for volunteers to help with meals, visits etc. If a while to the next meeting you would need to make a few phone calls to ask for volunteers to help.
• If the need is of a sensitive nature you could contact The Pastoral team for assistance.
• Organise a card from the group, or from the church through Faye Wagon, so that the person is aware of supportive love surrounding them in their time of need.
• Get some feedback from the volunteer to gauge the length of time support may be needed. Keep a list of volunteers used to spread the load.

Visitors are asked to increase the contact with their assigned families during this difficult transition time.

Visitor Spiritual Development

WarrenBartlett talked on preparing ourselves spiritually before heading out on a visit.

• Know your own self of well being, if unwell or stressed you are not in a good position to give a supportive visit to others.
• Surround yourself in prayer
• Tell them you are representing a community that cares
• Have an idea of what you will say before you go – have a range of opening statements. Eg comment on flower in the garden, ask how they met, how long have you lived here etc.
• Take some tools of the trade with you. A pocket New Testament with psalms; prayer cards suitable for different occasions,
• Often a quiet hand on their arm, a hug or NO Words can help more than talking.
• Acknowledge and confirm what they are telling you – “You will never get over it but with the grace of God, you will learn to live with it in time.“ (Warren has even used expletives at time to break through a reluctance to talk!)

• Remember; Helping someone to know the Love of God in a time of need is SPECIAL.

Group Discussion of Visiting Scenarios

Attendees were split into 3 groups to discuss:

Losing a loved One

• Ask the Minister when the bereaved person is ready for a visit – sometimes later is better.
• Suggest a place of contact as they may not want a home visit.
• Offer to provide help with learning tasks the bereaved may have done and they are unfamiliar with, eg finances, cooking.

Suffered Financial Hardship

• Phone for a time and suggest someone who knows the person
• Listening very important, assess the situation and suggest a facilitator from someone who understands the problem or Govt body they could contact if needed
• Do not relate your own experiences
• Offer ongoing prayer support

Terminal Illness

• Suggestions were, speak to at Church first, ring for visit time, text to meet for coffee
• Address the issue in prayer together and ongoing
• Ask how they are and gauge how much they want to discuss
• Provide resources such as Palliative care contact, prayer cards, scriptures to read.
• Follow up phone calls after tests.

Resources

Held in Cupboard in Room 4 – ask at the office.

• A selection of resources were on display for visitors to see. These included sample Prayer cards; Brace’s suggested Scripture reading sheet, books on bereavement and other issues. Small wooden crosses are available made by JohnPooley and BillNorquay.

The Meeting concluded with the Benediction at 9pm and was followed by Supper.

CategoryPastoral