Pastoral care of the congregation
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Stephen
Ministries offers a training program to teach lay people to provide
one-to-one pastoral care, under the supervision of a trained leader
working with the parish clergy. Teams or groups receiving training,
then implement the program in their church. This program has been
instituted at a number of parishes in the Diocese of Connecticut.
The original Stephen Ministry program has expanded from its early
days and now offers programs in small group ministry.
- Livingchurch.org is
an online magazine with a number of articles related to pastoral
issues: marriage, divorce, parenting; loss, and more, and may serve
as a personal resource, or one to share with others.
- Parish nurse programs
are gaining in popularity across the church. These can range from
simple blood-pressure clinics on designated Sundays, to more comprehensive
educational programs addressing physical, spiritual, and psychological
wellness. One of the more active Parish Nurse programs in Connecticut
is in the Naugatuck Valley area. This
link takes you to the parish nurse page for the Griffin Hospital
in that part of the state.
- The diocese has several consultants trained to help a congregation deal
with trauma, crisis, or conflict, and to help grieve loss. Contact the
office of the Canon to the Ordinary, the
Rev. Marge Roccoberton, deacon, at mroccoberton@ctdiocese.org..
Pastoral care of clergy
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The Diocese has a Clergy
and Family Enrichment Program. It offers counseling, and can help
clergy find a small group for support.
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Retired clergy have
recently appointed eight retired priests to serve as area chaplains
for the retired clergy and surviving spouses.
- The bishops offer pastoral care to all the clergy in
the diocese. Clergy should not hesitate to call one of their bishops
if there is a pastoral matter they want to share (sickness, hospitalization,
accident, death of a loved one, concern about another family member,
or the like). Call 860-233-4481 or in CT, 800-842-0126.
Healing ministry
- The Order of St. Luke the Physician
is an "interdenominational fellowship dedicated to the healing
ministry of Jesus Christ." A shoreline chapter of the Order is active
in the Diocese of Connecticut. There is a teaching course available.
- A number of Episcopal churches in Connecticut have an active healing
ministry, many offering a healing service during the week, or on Sundays
(or selected Sundays). Contact your local church to see when and if this
ministry is available.
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