What is the first thing you think of when you hear the words “pastoral care”? Do you picture a member of the clergy visiting someone in the hospital? Do you envision a grieving family gathered with their priest at the death of a loved one? Providing prayerful support in times of illness and death is certainly an essential part of pastoral care, but pastoral care need not be limited to those times we may think of as “emergency situations.” Pastoral needs can arise for many different reasons at many different stages in our lives. In those times, the St. Bart’s clergy are available to you for support.
Just about any life event might be an occasion for pastoral care: problems within a family, career transition, divorce, loss, illness, abuse, alcoholism, addiction, or other times of change or difficulty. Sometimes, it is helpful just to have a listening ear, and you can contact one of the clergy for a confidential, non-judgmental conversation.
St. Bart’s also has a dedicated lay pastoral care team who offer a ministry of presence and companionship to their fellow parishioners.
Small groups are another great way to find support and fellowship at St. Bart’s. All of our small groups meet on Zoom, so you can join from wherever you are. This week, we launched a new group called Retirement: Transition and Purpose for people who have retired or are entering retirement and are seeking to learn and share their experiences with others. Forward Together is for people who are experiencing job insecurity, who are unemployed or under-employed, or who are considering a career change. Grief, Hope, and Healing Together is for those who have experienced the recent loss of a friend or loved one or are going through a longer-term bereavement process. Newcomers are always welcome at all of these groups. You can join anytime.
We know that there is an epidemic of loneliness and isolation in our society which the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has identified as a public health concern. Isolation may be the most insidious part of going through a tough time - the idea that you have to carry your burden alone. The stigma of loneliness, feelings of shame, and not wanting to “air our dirty laundry” can keep us from sharing our pain and vulnerability with each other in those times when we need help the most.
Happily, as Dr. Murthy writes, the solution to this epidemic of loneliness is simple and close at hand: “Our individual relationships are an untapped resource—a source of healing hiding in plain sight. They can help us live healthier, more productive, and more fulfilled lives. Answer that phone call from a friend. Make time to share a meal. Listen without the distraction of your phone. Perform an act of service. Express yourself authentically. The keys to human connection are simple but extraordinarily powerful.”
The message is: You don’t have to carry that burden all by yourself. When we connect with each other, whether in one-on-one conversations with clergy or in small groups, we discover that we are not alone. There is help available at St. Bart’s, and we can navigate those challenges together.
