All Saints Church, Ashover, is launching a new pastoral care scheme to help the lonely and vulnerable.
The Rector, the Revd. Ralph Lawrence, said: “We are well aware of the excellent work being done by individuals in many parts of the parish who visit the elderly and lonely throughout the year but we want to try and ensure that nobody slips through the net.”
Church Reader Celia Kelly, who co-ordinated the first meeting of the fledgling pastoral care team, said that while most people needing care or a visit were elderly, young mums had also been identified as vulnerable to loneliness.
It was not intended to set up a care team burdened by regular meetings but to adopt an informal approach that relied on information received from church members or people in the community.
The All Saints congregation would be asked to identify any regular churchgoers missing from Sunday services for any length of time so that tactful investigations could be made as to their situation.
A telephone call would be the first point of contact to ensure that all was well and, if deemed appropriate, a visit would then be made.
Leaders of church groups, such as the Choir and Flower Guild, would be asked to take responsibility for the pastoral care of their members.
Christine Glossop has agreed to co-ordinate this initiative and can be reached on 01246 590326. She would welcome being told of anyone who might appreciate a telephone call or visit.
Requests for home communion can be made to the Rector on 01246 590246.
Said Celia: “A meeting to discuss the progress of these pastoral issues will be held in the not-too-distant future.”
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