SICK AND SHUT-INS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

To provide leadership and support for lay visitation and/or Eucharist provision for sick and shut-ins.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

It is common knowledge that persons, including churchgoers are increasingly living longer lives and clergy are unable to visit and/or provide the Eucharist for the many parishioners who need that ministry. The Episcopal Church along with most other Christian Churches are encouraging lay persons to pursue this ministry to the sick and shut-ins. The Brotherhood Chapter can help to recruit and support parish members in ways outlined herein and thereby demonstrate its support for the Rector and the parish program

.HOW IT WORKS

If a parish already has this ministry started, the Brotherhood Chapter, with the Rector’s approval, can assist in recruiting additional participants from the parish and from its membership.

If a parish does not have this ministry started, the Brotherhood Chapter, with the Rector s approval, can prepare a proposed plan and sponsor the program for the parish.

For those persons willing to take the Eucharist to sick and shut-ins a training program is usually required by the Rector with licensing by the Diocesan Bishop. The Brotherhood members who are willing should lead the way in participation. Husband and wife or two by two teams are usually better than going singly for both Eucharist provision and the regular visitations.

Names of persons to be visited are normally provided by the clergy in advance of the Sunday morning services and generally the visitations are done that same Sunday. In the case of the Eucharist, the church office will usually notify the person to be visited of the time and the names of those who will be coming; the lay persons will pickup the Eucharist kit after the Sunday service and proceed directly to the hospital or residence as the case may be for the sick or shut-in. Eucharist kits will be returned to the church that same Sunday along with the copies of the service outline provided with the kits.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Resource material should be obtained from the Brotherhood Office and from the National Church Office in New York.

The visitors should be familiar with the How To Special Material:

HOW TO GET STARTED

Talk about it and pray about it, preferably with the Rector present, and proceed as the Holy Spirit leads
Last Update 03-31-2007