The work of LWPT is vital, ongoing, and we need your support, by Peter Relf

Good Practice in Pastoral Care
Some time ago, it was suggested, through the Methodist Local Preachers’ Department, that Circuits should have a Pastoral Secretary, responsible specially for the pastoral care of the Local Preachers and Leaders of Worship in the Circuit and also the widows and widowers of preachers and leaders of worship.  It would be good if this article were to stimulate responses from Circuits where good work is already being done.

Do you have a Pastoral Secretary or another Preacher or Worship Leader who will be prepared to concern themselves with the Pastoral care of their colleagues? If you have such a person, do they have any ideas as to what to do? Here are a few:

• Send a card to each retired Preacher or Leader of Worship and the widows/widowers within your Circuit at Christmas and Easter. Handmade cards seem to be particularly welcome.
• Ask the members of the Preachers meeting to let you know if anyone is ill so that you can make regular contact with them, by phone if you are not able to visit, and keep the preachers meeting informed of their progress (being careful how you report if you are given any confidential information).
• Make regular visits your retired members of the LP Meeting and the widows and widowers of LPs, and mention them in the LP Meeting, asking your colleagues to pray for them.

• There are funds available to assist those in need, preachers (lay and ordained) and leaders of worship. Weekly grants may available to those whose weekly outgoings exceed their income, and lump sum grants may be available for one-off to expenses, both being subject to a capital disallow. The Pastoral Secretary should be aware of anyone who might be in need, facilitate them to apply for financial support and, throughout, maintain complete confidentiality.
• The LWPT website offers FREE materials to assist in the preparation of worship.  The address is www.lwpt.org.uk. Follow the Worship link for materials about the Seasons in the church year, special Sundays, prayers, hymns and other resources for worship leading and the Preach link for help with the Lectionary and guidance on preaching.
• LWPT sends out a quarterly Journal, Ichthus, to every Methodist Minister, Local Preacher and all those Worship Leaders whose names and addresses have been notified to LWPT. This Journal offers material for use in worship and many opportunities for Continuing Professional Development as well as keeping readers up to date. Send in to the LWPT Office details of any new preacher or worship leader who does not receive Ichthus.

• Encourage the members of your Preachers’ Meeting to support the work of its charity and to contribute by regular gifts to it, so that it can continue to grow in its work of being ‘Best for worship + Best in time of need’.
• Arrange an annual meal, perhaps in one of your churches. Sometimes there is a group of people who will take on the preparation of such a meal for the meeting. Donations can be invited and any surplus can be given to LWPT. This gives an opportunity for fellowship among preachers, outside the regular meetings, and an opportunity to raise funds for LWPT.