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Pastoral Care and Encouragement
Upon ordination to the priesthood, clergy vow to love and serve the people among whom we work, caring alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor.
Priests are to preach, to declare God's forgiveness to penitent sinners, to pronounce God's blessing, to share in the administration of Holy Baptism and in the celebration of the mysteries of Christ's Body and Blood, and to perform the other ministrations with which they are entrusted.
At Trinity, these vows, in part, are lived out through the provision of pastoral care in times of need.
When parishioners are sick and/or hospitalized, Trinity’s clergy, once informed, will make a pastoral visit.
We will bring the church to you. Our Clergy will come to visit when you’ve had surgery- even if just for a moment! We’ll respect your energy level and try not to wear you out, but when you’ve had an operation, we’ll be there to let you know you are in our thoughts.
The goal of our pastoral visits is to provide comfort, to pray, to perform the laying on of hands for healing if desired, to share in Holy Communion, and to exercise a ministry of godly presence.
Trinity’s clergy delight in being able to walk with parishioners through these often frightening and unsettling times.
To receive a hospital or other medical-care oriented facility visit, contact the church office or call Trinity’s clergy directly. Please do not presume others will notify the clergy.
Sometimes people are unable to attend worship services due to illness, prolonged recovery or simply the aging process.
In such instances, Lay Eucharistic Visitors will be glad to bring Holy Communion to you. Simply contact the church office and request that a visit be made.
One of Trinity’s clergy and/or a Lay Eucharistic Visitor will call you back to make arrangements for a visit.
In the Episcopal tradition, we make a public and corporate confession of sin each time we celebrate one of the rites of Holy Eucharist.
Sometimes people desire and situations warrant making an explicit, private confession of sins to a priest, from whom the individual seeks absolution.
The Reconciliation of a Penitent is available for all who desire it. It is not restricted to times of sickness. Confessions may be heard anytime and anywhere. The Book of Common Prayer provides two equivalent forms of service to meet the needs of penitents. These forms are found on pages 446-452.
Conversations held during a declared confession of sins are confidential. To insure that confidentiality, be sure to inform clergy that a conversation constitutes a confession and therefore should be considered “under the stole.”
When the penitent has confessed all serious sins troubling the conscience and has given evidence of due contrition, the priest gives such counsel and encouragement as are needed and pronounces absolution. Before giving absolution, the priest may assign to the penitent a psalm, prayer, or hymn to be said, or something to be done, as a sign of penitence and act of thanksgiving.
Occupying a new home can be a joyous occasion. Trinity clergy would like to make the experience even more wonderful for you by coming to bless your home or place of residence.
In the course of a typical house blessing ceremony, the Celebrant says this prayer:
Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence, Bless all who live here with the gift of your love; and grant that they may manifest your love [to each other and] to all whose lives they touch. May they grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen them; and preserve them in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.
If convenient, prayers for the several rooms of the house may be offered. The Celebrant, with members of the household (one of them carrying a lighted candle if desired), and others as convenient, moves from room to room. Those not participating in the procession remain in the living room, praying silently or singing hymns or other suitable songs.
House blessings may conclude with light refreshments for any guests who participate.
The clergy at Trinity Church are not certified and/or trained professional counselors. The same is true for most clergy in the parish setting.
Trinity’s clergy are willing to listen carefully, to offer encouragement and challenging direction if appropriate, to provide spiritual insight and perspective on your situation, to make an assessment of what is needed, and to make appropriate referrals to individuals who are certified and trained to respond to certain situations.
By Canon law, a clergy person may not meet more than three consecutive times with an individual on the same “clinical” topic before making a referral to the appropriate trained professional. |
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Member of the Worldwide Anglican Communion
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2217 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204 Phone: 703-920-7077 Fax: 703-920-5560 Office Email: info@tecarl.org |