St. John the Evangelist

Coulsdon Parish Church - Old Coulsdon, Surrey

Care and Support Visiting

Two groups of visitors are active in the church, one supporting those who have been bereaved and another visiting those who are housebound.

Bereavement Visiting/Bereavement Support Group

The purpose of the group is to make contact with the next-of-kin of those who have died and give them support, comfort and help as seems appropriate for up to two years. Visitors aim to make contact with a bereaved person within a month of the funeral and further visits follow at regular intervals.

The group organises an annual Service of Memorial and Thanksgiving held in St. John's on a Sunday close to All Saints' Day (1 November). Personal invitations are issued to close relatives of those who have died during the previous two years (where the funerals have been conducted by St. John's clergy) and the names of their loved ones are read out during the service. Wide publicity is given to this Service of Memorial and Thanksgiving and anyone who wishes to attend is warmly welcomed.

This group meets regularly to receive training, share experiences and give mutual support, and has a training day once a year.

Home Communion and Ministry for those unable to attend Church

There are many living in our parish who are unable to join us for services in Church because of illness or disability. They may be permanently housebound or may be sick, convalescing or unable to go out in cold or wet weather. We try to include all (whether they have been worshippers at St. John's in the past or are new to the parish) in our fellowship by visiting them at home and, where appropriate, taking Holy Communion to them. We include in this ministry visits to nursing and care homes in our parish and continuing links with those who have had to move to such homes in neighbouring parishes.

The home communion ministry is carried out by authorised communion ministers. Communion is taken to the sick and housebound immediately after Parish Communion or at some other agreed time. In addition, very many members of our congregation extend this fellowship of St. John's by visiting sick and housebound friends and neighbours.

There is a lively prayer ministry for the sick - through informal prayer for one another, through prayer link for special requests, intercessions at services and at morning prayer daily and through the ministry of listening and praying which takes place during the 9.30 and 6.30 communion services.

The ministry of "laying-on-of-hands" is offered monthly at midweek communion and in addition alternately at a Parish Communion or at a special evening service. A small group plans the evening services at which the "laying-on-of-hands" is offered. These are quiet and reflective services when Bible readings, prayers and hymns all focus on the ministry of wholeness and healing.

"Laying-on-of-hands" and anointing for healing is also available at home for anyone who requests this ministry.