Pastoral Resources

Pastoral care of the congregation

Stephen Ministries offers a training program to teach lay people to provide one-to-one pastoral care, under the supervision of a trained leader working with the parish clergy. Teams or groups receiving training, then implement the program in their church. This program has been instituted at a number of parishes in the Diocese of Connecticut. The original Stephen Ministry program has expanded from its early days and now offers programs in small group ministry.

Parish nurse programs are gaining in popularity across the church. These can range from simple blood-pressure clinics on designated Sundays, to more comprehensive educational programs addressing physical, spiritual, and psychological wellness. One of the more active Parish Nurse programs in Connecticut is in the Naugatuck Valley area. This link takes you to the parish nurse page for the Griffin Hospital in that part of the state.

The diocese has several consultants trained to help a congregation deal with trauma, crisis, or conflict, and to help grieve loss. Contact the office of the Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Marge Roccoberton, deacon, at mroccoberton@ctdiocese.org..

Pastoral care of clergy

The Diocese has a Clergy and Family Enrichment Program. It offers counseling, and can help clergy find a small group for support.

Healthy Church Practices include recommendations for staying healthy

The bishops offer pastoral care to all the clergy in the diocese. Clergy should not hesitate to call one of their bishops if there is a pastoral matter they want to share (sickness, hospitalization, accident, death of a loved one, concern about another family member, or the like). 

Healing ministry

The Order of St. Luke the Physician is an "interdenominational fellowship dedicated to the healing ministry of Jesus Christ." A shoreline chapter of the Order is active in the Diocese of Connecticut. There is a teaching course available.

A number of Episcopal churches in Connecticut have an active healing ministry, many offering a healing service during the week, or on Sundays (or selected Sundays). Contact your local church to see when and if this ministry is available.