WHEN YOU NEED HELP

In times of need or crisis, you are invited and encouraged to bring your hurts, pressures, questions, decisions, and difficulties to your clergy. The church is often the face of God during difficult times, and can offer the hope, the healing, and the reconciling love of Christ to you, to bind up your wounds and make you whole. Please do not hesitate to make an appointment with Rev. Kristi Philip, the rector, or with Deacon Ellen Loposer if you need pastoral guidance or help.

Pastoral Guidance
Pastoral guidance is a regular and important part of the ministry of your clergy.

Parishioners sometimes feel that they cannot bother the priest with their problems because the priest is “just too busy.” But the clergy are eager to be of help to individuals and families in need. They expect and want to be asked. Please see this as a normal part of our life together as God’s family in Christ.

Please note that in pastoral counseling, as in sacramental confessions, strict confidentiality is morally binding for the priest-counselor.

Pastoral guidance and support are offered in several areas:

Spiritual Direction
Every committed Christian should be working actively on his or her growth in the life of prayer. A priest can be of great help as a Spiritual Director, giving support and suggestions regarding a rule of life, prayer, the sacramental life, and service in the world.

Support During Crisis
Your parish clergy are available 24 hours a day in the event of a genuine crisis. They are there with the Church’s sacraments, and they can offer spiritual support in times of emergency illness, injury, or death. When in doubt, please call.

Pastoral Guidance for Personal or Family Matters
The three areas in which your priest is most often asked for help are personal problems, marriage problems, and the relationships between parents and children. Priests are trained in counseling within a pastoral and spiritual context and also in recognizing situations beyond the scope of their ministry. They are able to refer you to other specialized help when needed.

Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance, or Confession and Absolution) is a celebration of God’s forgiveness. It provides the opportunity for a searchingly honest appraisal of our lives, a chance to say to God, “This is who I really am,” and then to experience God’s healing forgiveness.

If you wish to make a private confession to a priest, using the Sacrament of Confession, please call Rev. Kristi Philip. The sacrament may be scheduled at any time by appointment. Please note that the secrecy of a confession made during the Sacrament of the Reconciliation of a Penitent (as found in the Prayer Book) is morally absolute for the confessor, and must under no circumstances be broken.

Hospitalization
If you are hospitalized for any reason, please call the church office. If you cannot do so personally, ask a friend, neighbor, relative, or nurse to do it for you. In this way, the clergy will be informed and will be able to properly minister to you.

Sacramental Ministries
The Church surrounds her members with prayer and the healing grace of the sacraments when they are will. The sacramental ministries that are available for those who are hospitalized include:

Emergency Baptism
Reconciliation (Confession and Absolution)
Anointing
Holy Communion
Ministration at the Time of Death (Last Rites)

Anointing of the Sick
The anointing of a sick person with oil (Holy Unction) is a sacramental action that imparts God’s grace for the healing of the whole person — body, mind, and spirit.

It is normally offered to any member of the church who is hospitalized or at home because of any significant sickness or accident, or who is about to undergo surgery. However, any member may request Anointing for any physical or spiritual sickness at any time.

So seriously do we take the sacrament of anointing that our Sunday 10:15 a.m. Eucharist includes laying on of hands, prayers for healing, and anointing as a regular part of that service.