VISITING THE SICK AT HOME OR HOSPITAL

Both ministers and people of our churches take to heart the desire of the church to live Christ’s commandment “to love one another” through the visiting of the sick. Those from the church community who have requested a visit or whose friends have informed us of the need, are, as far as is possible, visited at home or in hospital. Church members make neighbourly visits to sick people in the community, and those whose illness is serious or, where the outcome may be grave, if they so wish, are also visited. We work in partnership with the Chaplains at the hospitals which serve the Clevedon area. The Rector is Chaplain of Clevedon Cottage Hospital and two services a month are held at the hospital.

Within our group of churches we have a group of people, both lay and ordained, who take Holy Communion to those who are housebound or in long term care. Our group of pastoral visitors have received some training, and included in their visiting are the sick or those who have recently returned from hospital stays. We are in the process of forming a second group whose ministry is to maintain contact between church and the housebound or those in long term care who do not receive Holy Communion visits.

The Rev’d Pam Smith

Assistant Priest

2007