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Family
October 1, 2007
Dear Friends,
Church Family is very important to us at Otford Methodist
Church and as family we naturally care for one another and
I am constantly thankful for the many ways in which I see
that happening.
In addition to this we have an informal Pastoral Care
System. Many of you will be aware that we reviewed our
pastoral care about two years ago and from that launched
our "Pastoral Tree".
Our Pastoral Co-ordinator, Barbara Davies, and I have just
updated the Pastoral Tree and would like to share the
following things with you:
? Our aim is that everyone who worships with us should have
a Pastoral Visitor appointed to care for them and pray for
them and to who they know they can approach on any matters.
Children and Young People are under the care of their
leaders.
? On Sunday November 4th, in our 10.30am Service, there
will be the Rededication of all Pastoral Visitors and this
is an opportunity for the rest of us to affirm our desire
to care for one another.
? Pastoral Visitors will receive a reminder about this
service which will include a record of who is under their
pastoral care.
? It would be very easy to miss someone so we are asking if
everyone will check they have been included and what
changes have been made. There will be a copy of the updated
Pastoral Tree in the Church Vestry and the Office in the
Hall and on November 4th it will be displayed at coffee in
the Hall after the service.
? There will be a sharing and training morning on Saturday
January 19th 2008 which we hope all those who have pastoral
care for others will attend. Would all Pastoral Vistiors
please put this in your diary now.
These all sound very practical points but we hope they
reflect that we really want to be a caring Church and so we
are sorry if we have not got it right for you. Please do
speak to me if there are any matters of concern for you.
One of the lovely pictures that Jesus used to describe
Himself was that of the Good Shepherd who lays down His
life for the sheep. It is Jesus who really cares for us in
this life giving way. One of the great joys of being His
followers is that He invites us to share in that work of
care. He said to His disciple Peter, "Feed My Sheep" and He
says the same to us today.
With warmest Christian Greetings
Kath
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