An explanation of what a Lay Pastor is in this parish.
Back in Fred Rason's time, Alan Field, who was trained as a Lay Reader, ran a group called "Pastoral Care". We met occasionally and I was one of that group and did some bereavement visiting, but we had no real training.
When Tony Watts became our Rector he invited members of the congregation to train as Lay Pastoral Assistants as we were then known. Kath Jones and myself did a course at Wimborne and John & Marilyn Bettell joined the team having previously done the course when at St Mary's. Once John became Treasurer he relinquished his LPA work and later Tony asked Dorothy Lambert to train as one. We attended 'In Service Training' sessions at Wimborne, did bereavement visiting on the Rector's behalf, occasional hospital visiting, baptism visits and were Sponsors of the Confirmation Candidates. (The first in the diocese to fulfil this role).
We have a different role with Charles, we assist at Home Communions, the M. S. Centre, where we read the gospel and administer the chalice, and also at Rest Homes. Recently we have been helping with Baptisms and Weddings.
Lay Pastors have an authorized ministry within the church yet it is important to remember that all Christian people are commissioned by virtue of their baptism to minister to one another. I know many of you do, please give regular updates of anyone you are visiting to either the Rector, Dorothy, Marilyn or Mavis.
A SENSE OF VOCATION?
How much do we understand "vocation" and would we recognize it if we felt a sense of it?
Being a member of the congregation at St Mark's is like being part of a larger family. In more than six years of attending worship, various events and assisting in different ways Val and I have come to know so many people as friends. It is a great pleasure.
We have also found ourselves drawn into a much deeper experience. You could say that we have come to recognize a sense of vocation. Primarily it is to do with our relationship with God and the desire to do His will. In my own case that recognition has not come suddenly, rather a gradual and increasing awareness of a need to do something more positive has become apparent. Perhaps in the fullest possible sense, that awareness has come too late to put into practice.
In conversation with Charles, our Rector, only a few weeks ago, he said how much he would welcome having an NSM (Non-Stipendiary Minister) here. You only have to think about the demands made between All Saints, St Mark's and Turbary to understand this, another ordained minister would certainly be of great benefit both to Charles and to our people. One wonders why there are not very short courses (see below) - maybe 6 months to a year, available to those who feel called, having particular experiences to bring and who have already had professional training. I am thinking of people (perhaps some are already involved in Lay ministry) who are used to public speaking, teaching, forward planning, may have taken responsibility for other groups of professionals or have financial/business skills.
The Rector deserves as much support as each of us can give. For my own part, after many years involved in church music and the liturgy, I will at least go on serving God, doing the best I can where music is concerned and in other ways. This brings me to mention those who sing in the choir at St Mark's and All Saints. Each one of them is taking part in a valued form of ministry, judging by the comments many of you have made. The choir helps in leading our singing and the spoken word. This enriches our worship and can be both uplifting and sometimes inspirational. I am deeply grateful to our singers as I know Charles, our Rector is.
Ralph Hebditch
February 2006
Editors Note : There are courses of the kind envisaged by Mr Hebditch. Follow these links :
Theological Courses leading to ordination and
A course of study in Christian
belief that may lead to a Certificate in Theology