pastoral care page

The pastoral care group, consisting of  Machteld, Alison, Claudie, Andrea, Jenny, Dorothy, Trevor, Antonia, Peta, Paul and myself, has been meeting regularly over the past three years and, as well as responding to many requests for practical help and a friendly ear, has reflected deeply on what pastoral care means for us in our context at La Côte. God loves and cares profoundly about all human beings, and longs for each one of us to live fulfilling and healthy lives. How do we reflect that sense of God’s care and concern in our church community? How do we respond when friends and neighbours face the crises and difficulties which occur so frequently in our society?

In the ‘old days’ the clergy were seen as the focus of this care and carried out all of it as best they could. Ministers visited and got to know those folk living in their parish, which was usually a defined geographical area. Contemporary thinking, experience and sheer common sense show that this model is a self-limiting one in our day and age. In our context at La Côte, Paul and myself are very happy and willing to offer this care, but with the best will in the world we cannot hope to provide all the time and energy needed for this crucial area of ministry, and it would be ignoring the gifts and skills that many others possess. In our group meetings we have seen how pastoral care in our community can be best carried out by all of us through the building up of the relationships between us. Often relationships grow naturally as people gradually get to know each other and find those bonds and connections upon which friendship and fellowship are based. Spontaneously we talk to each other about our difficulties and needs and respond to each other. Sometimes, though, more of a concerted effort is needed.

The question is: how do we go about developing those relationships in a rapidly growing church community where we meet to worship in two different places?  One thing that we have been doing is organising a variety of social events which give us all the opportunity to gather and enjoy each other’s company. So far, such events have included:  tea parties, winter walks/fondues in the mountains, trips to restaurants, meeting at music concerts, fund-raising dinners, Sunday lunches, Advent parties, and men’s nights out at the pub. Other events with a more specific focus also play an important part: the Bossey Community Day, the study groups, the various short courses we are able to offer from time to time. All these enable us to form a wider web of relationships, deepen our friendships and to learn and develop new skills.

The healing ministry is an important part of pastoral care and we continue to reflect seriously on this. For a while now we have offered anointing with oil at Holy Communion services at both Gingins and Divonne and this is found to be very helpful and valuable. In May 2009 we spent a day together in Bossey reflecting on healing and pastoral care, and used the afternoon session to build up our confidence in praying with others. Since then we have been working on offering prayer ministry after services, initially at Gingins.

If you are drawn to any of these aspects of pastoral care and would like to join our group as we explore further and work together, do contact Paul or myself. If you feel in need of some support, all the pastoral care group are happy to offer it in a friendly manner which ensures confidentiality.  Often just talking to a sympathetic listener can make a huge difference.


Machteld Kelsey  022 369 37 33
Andrea Goovaerts   +33 450 20 38 80
Antonia Bruce  021 864 34 90
Jenny West   +33 450 20 39 40
Alison Mills   +33 40 50 99 18 93
Claudie Wetzel   022 364 28 47
Trevor and Dorothy Davies   022 776 51 53
Peta Tracey   022 364 35 69
Paul Holley   022 364 00 30
Julia Chambeyron   +33 450 20 19 37


Julia Chambeyron
August 2009