All
Saints' Support: Severe Illness
All
Saints' can offer support to those who are experiencing a severe
illness, whether the illness is acute or chronic. The parish can serve
as part of the extended family, neighbourhood and friends both of the
sick and of their caregivers. We view this as a natural part
of sharing the love of Christ, with attention to the priorities of the
sick and their caregivers.
Prayers
The sick,
for
whom prayers are requested, are explicitly included in the weekly
prayers of the
people. Normally, personal details are not included
are included in these public prayers. Prayers concerning specific
personal details can be arranged within a circle of the desired extent.
Prayer support can be arranged through the church office and the
clergy. Special blessings can be had at the altar rail during
communion, or after the service with annointing and laying on of hands
- which may include a wide circle of parishoners.
Prayer
requests for particular individuals can be written on a
slip of paper and added to the prayer request box at the back of the
church (see picture at right). These names are mentioned in
the prayers of the
people in our service of worship. We try to err on the side of
confidentiality, so usually first names only will be used, without
personal details.
Visiting
Shut-ins are
visitied and brought holy communion by the All Saints' pastoral care
team, to add this special support to the natural program of visits by
friends.
At need, visits can be coordinated to support not only the
sick, but also to support the primary care givers.
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