Pastoral Care

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Pastoral Ministers

At Christ Church, the clergy are assisted and supported in the ministry of pastoral care by six parishioners, all of whom are highly qualified by virtue of their training in health care, theology, and pastoral care. Our lay Pastoral Ministers have been commissioned by the clergy and congregation, and they work closely with the clergy and other groups involved in pastoral care in Christ Church. In addition, they are able to access appropriate social and healing agencies within the wider community.

The lay members of our pastoral care team will visit in home, hospital, or any other setting. They are authorized to administer the reserved Sacrament of Holy Communion, and are thoroughly committed to the demands of confidentiality.

The Mission Statement of the Pastoral Team is “to serve God by enabling God’s caring work through Christ Church. This work is with those who need companionship, healing, or specialized pastoral care as they journey through life’s challenging times. They may be members of the Church, or our neighbours who ask for help.”

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact the Church Office.

Pastoral Care Group

The Pastoral Care Group maintains contact with parishioners who are confined to their home, to hospital, or to long term care facilities.

The care and concern of the Church is expressed through personal visits, phone calls, letters, and cards.

The group meets about quarterly, and welcomes new members who would enjoy sharing in this ministry. Please contact the Church Office, where someone will help you be in touch with us.

Grief Recovery

Christ Church offers a grief recovery program for those who have suffered loss in their lives. Two members of the parish have been trained and certified by the Grief Recovery Institute to conduct the course, which is open to both parishioners and non-parishioners. The program addresses all life losses, including such experiences as bereavement, divorce, loss of employment, loss of health, loss of a pet and several others.  It is offered with respect and compassion by people who have themselves suffered loss, and is not an attempt to provide “therapy” or “counselling” but rather  the sharing of information about loss and how to complete severed relationships.

To register or obtain further information please call the Church Office at 403.243.4680 and you will be contacted by one of the group leaders. Registration forms are also available in the office.

Caregivers Support

Several members of the Christ Church community find themselves coping with the diminished capacity of a loved one.  Frequently, this entails some degree of cognitive dysfunction or dementia, which can be especially trying for family members.  In other situations, the sheer burden of providing physical care, and of being constantly "on," takes a physical and emotional toll on the caregiver.  Through an informal linking of parishioners facing similar circumstances, Christ Church facilitates friendly support amongst a community which is already in place.  To know more, please be in touch with one of the clergy.

Casserole Ministry

Sometimes, it is the simple, practical, things -- like a meal, ready-cooked -- which make the most difference when life is topsy-turvy.  When the need arises, we have a coordinator who can determine dietetic needs and preferences, and contact people willing to prepare and/or deliver a meal.  More cooks are always welcome.  Please contact the Church Office.  

Prayer Shawls

Prayer Shawls are a wonderful way to wed the passions of hobby and faith. Each shawl is hand-created with never-ending prayers for its recipient (known or unknown). Completed shawls are brought to the church and blessed before being to delivered to someone in need of a little TLC – perhaps because of illness, grief, or another life crisis, or to celebrate a birth, marriage, graduation, etc. Shawls are a warm, caring way to extend our help to someone who may need support. This ministry was begun in Connecticut in 1998 by two women, and is now a global phenomenon. To participate in this ministry, please contact the Church Office.

Prayer Chain

The Prayer Chain of Christ Church is a group of individuals who pray daily at home for those who have asked the prayers of the group. The group meets about three times a year, sometimes with a celebration of the Eucharist, and once a year with lunch. A strict code of confidentiality is in place.

To join in this ministry, or to ask the prayers of the Prayer Chain, please be in touch with one of the Coordinators, Marianne Flanagan or Margaret Gale, via the Church Office.

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