The Committee has continued to serve and support the corporate life of Great St Mary's through pastoral care and social activities.
Neighbourhood Links continue to act as `primary carers', who get to know the people living near them and offer friendship and support as it is needed year round. The database of church members has been brought up to date by Sue Joyce and Betty Orange and it is hoped that lists can be regularly revised to take account of GSM's often changing population. The Welcome Pack for newcomers has also been revised so that Links can offer a copy to new folk in their neighbourhood with information about services, meetings and activities that cater for different age groups and interests. Noticeboards are to be kept up to date with clear information about geographical neighbourhood divisions and names of area Links.
Further to strengthen pastoral care, a small team of visitors has been built up from a 1999 Lent group to offer support in particular times of needs: for example, to help people cope with sickness, disability or loneliness. The team meets regularly with the clergy and receives some training in pastoral care and counselling.
In more general terms, the Committee has supported other new and ongoing work in pastoral care: services for the ministry of healing; the weekday welcoming of visitors to the church; house communions for Neighbourhood groups.
The Committee considered diocesan papers dealing with the House of Bishops' Policy on Child Protection. Under Sara Varty's guidance a draft document was drawn up to help the PCC update its policy on child protection in the light of current legislation concerning the principles of good practice for ensuring children's safety whilst in the church's care.
On the social front, the Committee has helped to organise the Christmas Party for older members of the church, a summer picnic and softball game at Girton, the harvest supper, a party to welcome Kerry and another to say goodbye to Jeremy and Ellen, and supper for readers and the visiting choir at the Advent Carol Service. For these and other social occasions, the Committee is enormously grateful to the Links and other supporters for gifts of food and generous practical help in the kitchen.
Sharing time with others on social occasions and being sensitive to others' needs for pastoral care and support all help to foster our sense of community and service within the parish and to the wider world. The Committee is always looking for ways in which we can do more to encourage the church's shared life and welcomes suggestions and support.
Margaret Pearson (from the parish report 1999-2000)
Back to Great St Mary's PCC page