Caring for each other at St Matthew’s
In pastoral care at St Matthew’s
we seek:
- To demonstrate God’s love by standing alongside people in their joys and sorrows and through difficult times e.g. illness, bereavement, unemployment, hardship and relationship difficulties
- To encourage individuals to grow in spiritual strength
- To build a community of mutual compassion and care
How does Pastoral Care work
at St Matthew’s?
One of the key values of St Matthew’s is belonging, which is expressed primarily through shared lives and caring for one another in small groups. Everyone is involved in pastoral care, not just the clergy, paid staff and group leaders. Everyone is encouraged to belong to a fellowship group and/or other small group and to be appropriately involved through mutual prayer and practical help.
The church’s formal structure for pastoral care includes fellowship groups and other small groups, prayer ministry and extended prayer, and the pastoral support team: -
Fellowship groups
Central to pastoral care and church life are fellowship groups and other small groups such as Coffee and Cake, Right Side and Tuesday Fellowship. These form the frontline of care in the church. Within small groups members find belonging, healing, and opportunities to serve and thus to increase in maturity. Sometimes an individual may require help from outside the group and would be referred to the pastoral support team but the small group will remain the normal setting for pastoral care.
To join a fellowship group, contact Anne Winter on 245328
Prayer ministry
This is available after the 10.30am service on Sundays, at the east end of the church as directed. Prayer ministry is received within the context of worship and teaching to continue what God has begun in the service. It is not counselling but rather a waiting on God and praying into what He is already doing. Specific needs can be prayed for at this time as well. Where more time is needed people can be referred for extended prayer.
Children
For information about provision for under 10s
contact Maddie Buchananon 079717 33506orat
Young people
For information about provision for the 10 plus age group contactAndy Jeffersonon 726102 or
The pastoral support team
The pastoral support team consists of
experienced and pastorally gifted members of the
congregation who offer guidance and help
to individuals and group leaders. This includes:
Extended prayer
This is helpful where there are deep or
long-standing issues which need more than one
time of prayer ministry. This might happen
through a referral by your small group leader or
those who offer Sunday prayer ministry.
Contact Sue Fulford on 722720
Visiting
For visits and prayer for those who are sick or
bereaved, contact the office on 01865 798587
Meals
Meals are often made for new mothers and for
those in times of crisis. ContactMargaret Parkin
on 075053 51132or
Prayer requests can be included in the weekly
notice sheet; to have a name included please
contact the Church Office with information.
Please check that you have the person’s
permission for this. There is also a small group
which meets to pray for the church and
community on Thursday mornings, and Tuesday
evenings.
Spiritual Directors
The Diocese has a list of Spiritual Directors –
someone to accompany you on your faith
journey. Contact Jeni Hobbs on 208288
Jesus says:
‘My command is this:
Love One Another,
as I have loved you.’
John 15:12
Contacts
Fellowship groups: for all adults
Anne Winter: 245328
Thursday Coffee and Cake:
for women, including those with babies
or small children (creche provided)
Margaret Parkinon 075053 51132
Right Side: for 20s and 30s
Margaret Parkin on 075053 51132
Thursday Drop-in Lunch:
A free meal and company for anyone
who needs it.
Church Address:
St Matthew’s Church
Marlborough Road
Oxford
OX1 4LW
Telephone:
Office: 01865 798587
(Rosemary Kitto or Ruth Lockley)
Vicarage: 01865 243434 (Rev Steve Hellyer)
Church Website:
Church email:
Pastoral care:
Caring for each other
at
St Matthew’s