At St. Paul's we have programs designed for the needs of our members and community.

PASTORAL CARE

From shut-in ministry to friendly visiting, from hospital visitations to crisis intervention, from Lay Holy Communion visitors to volunteer drivers, from on-going counselling to a telephone care connection, we have put together a comprehensive program to demonstrate a high value on warmth and concern for one another.

Sacramental Ministry: Holy Matrimony and Holy Baptism following preparation courses.

The answer to a request for sacramental ministry is always - Yes!  Please get to know us as a parish family and take time to reflect upon your own spiritual well-being.  For those new to St. Paul's we ask you to participate in our Newcomer Process which includes a weekend Membership Course.  On average it takes about one year before this can be completed. Information brochures explaining our thinking are available from the parish office.

Services For Those In Need: One-on-one Counseling, Hospital Visitation, Pastoral Visits for crisis situations and long-term illnesses; Home Holy Communion for seniors and the chronically ill; Meals for those in need.

The Rev. Joanne Bennett is our Honourary Assistant and she presides at our Contemporary Holy Communion service and is a key leader in Pastoral Care.  Mrs. Anita Farmer also officiates at the funeral liturgies of those connected to our parish in the local community.

We have trained and supervised pastoral visitors.  We have licenced Lay Readers who visit those who are housebound with Holy Communion.  Mrs. Doris Neelin makes weekly calls to parishioners' homes and the local seniors' residences.

Mrs. Doris Neelin  Lay Pastoral Visitor

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

St. Paul's supports this initiative through Samaritan's Purse.  Here are some thoughts about this project from a parishioner.

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s that special time of year again where we can make an impact in a child’s life by participating in Operation Christmas Child.  To me though, it’s also a very bittersweet time.  While I enjoy the shopping and excitement of choosing gifts to give to a child, it also brings tears to my eyes, as the realization hits me that if it weren’t for us, these children to whom the shoeboxes go, would have nothing.  They live in countries far away, in poverty... knowing hunger, fear, desperation and sadness.  We have so much - and in comparison - our lives are nearly perfect!

Because we participated in Operation Christmas Child last year we received a brochure in the mail from Samaritan’s Purse, outlining all the details and reminding us of the collection times.  As I read through the brochure, I learned that Canada committed 75,000 shoe boxes to Haiti alone in 2011.  That is impressive!  But as I read further, another thought impressed upon me even more... the simple sentence:  “If you packed shoe boxes last year, please consider doubling your efforts this year....”  And that is exactly what we did!

This year, we packed two shoeboxes and it felt wonderful!  My 12 year old son packed his own shoebox and had decided that he wanted to give his gifts to a little boy, age 5 - 9 years old.  I chose for a little girl, also age 5 - 9 years old.   We spent a wonderful evening together choosing gifts for our shoeboxes.  We each had a shopping basket and walked around the store together, comparing our selections as we picked out a colourful array of toys, some candy, stickers, socks, and even a recorder to make joyful noise!  It was a magical time for both of us and I think we were both imagining the looks on the children’s faces as they opened up their Christmas shoeboxes.  I know we were both smiling as we thought of the joy we would bring to that little child.  Isn’t that really the true spirit of Christmas?