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Historic •  Timeless

Pastoral Care

The care of our parishioners at Christ Church is shared by our clergy and other specially trained laypersons in our parish. Our priests are especially available to visit you in the hospital, to pray with you, to offer Sacraments and the rites of the Church, and to lend a listening ear and pastoral presence at times of acute crisis.

Pastoral Counceling

Our priests, although skilled in many ways, are not licensed therapists. For this reason, they are not equipped to offer counseling or “talk therapy” in the traditional sense, nor are they able to enter into longterm standing appointments around chronic issues such as depression or serious, ongoing marital conflict. They can, however, provide spiritual guidance and support by praying with you, teaching you to pray, helping you to look for God in your life, and offering you the strength and Sacraments of the Church. If you find yourself in need of a professional therapist or counselor, our clergy have excellent contacts in the area and are happy to help connect you with a trusted professional.

Notifying Clergy of Needs & Emergencies

The best way to ensure our clergy team is aware of your pastoral need or emergency is to call one of our priests via the church office, or by cell phone if after hours. Please do not rely on email or social media to communicate emergency information, and remember, privacy policies now prohibit medical facilities from contacting churches on your behalf. We do not publish clergy cell numbers on the website, but they are available upon request from the church office and are printed in the church directory. Or, you may call the pastoral care line at 912-230-7362 to reach the priest on call.

THE BEST WAY TO NOTIFY ONE OF OUR PRIESTS OF YOUR PASTORAL EMERGENCY IS TO CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE OR 912-230-7362 OR THE PRIEST’S CELL.

When to Call Your Clergy 

  • Near Death: When someone in your family is near death, call one of our priests, day or night. When death is imminent, we Episcopalians gather around our loved ones, say our prayers, share in the Sacraments, make our goodbyes, and anoint our loved ones as they transition. This is one of the holiest and most important things your priest is able to offer you, and it is appropriate regardless of whether your loved one is conscious or not. We also have an important and helpful rite for when the decision is made to remove life-sustaining treatment. Please do not hesitate to call in these moments, regardless of the time.
  • Ill or Hospitalized: When you or someone in your family is ill or hospitalized, call the church office. Our clergy will visit as soon as possible.
  • Before Surgery: When you or someone in your family is going to have surgery, call the church office in advance. Our clergy are happy to visit you beforehand, share in healing prayers, and bring Communion, if you wish.
  • Crisis of Faith: When you are having a crisis of faith, call and make an appointment to come and sit down for a conversation. We can pray with you and help you in your search for God and meaning.
  • Significant Loss: When you lose a job, or experience the death of a friend, or any significant loss, call the church office. Your clergy will pray with you and may be able to connect you with helpful resources.
  • Birth or Adoption of a Child: When a child is born, call the church office. Your clergy love the opportunity to make a visit to bless parents and child; there’s even a liturgy in the prayer book for this.
  • When It’s All Good: When something wonderful is happening in your life, call. Clergy are often called upon to share in the saddest times, but we want to rejoice with you and help you give thanks to God in the best of times, too.

Adapted with gratitude from http://www.calvarymemphis.org/pastoralcare

Staff contact: Mother Ashton