St

St. Peter's Anglican Church - Southport

83 Nerang Street, corner High Street, Southport, Gold Coast, Queensland 4215 Australia

Pastoral Care

The term ‘pastoral care’ conjures up images of rural life — quite appropriate, really, when we remember that Jesus referred to himself as ‘the good shepherd’. The model of the caring shepherd still lies at the heart of the parish priest’s ministry.

Many years ago the Church in England did some research into the subject of pastoral care, and came to the conclusion that a good priest can minister effectively to the needs of about 100 families. With around 300 families on our parish roll, there is a need for assistance. The church here and elsewhere, has come to realise that all of us need to share in caring for one another. We aim to see that every person in the parish is looked after and cared for.

In times of special need (such as illness or bereavement), the sensitive presence of a caring friend or neighbour can mean a great deal. A friend from church — priest or fellow parishioner — can sometimes provide an extra dimension to the care we need when we are in pain or feeling lonely.

If you need someone to help, or simply to lend a sympathetic ear, you can telephone the Parish Priest or the Parish Office (55 328 978). If you wish to be a person lending a listening ear, please contact the Parish Priest.

In the meantime, your friends and acquaintances at church mostly just need to be asked so they can extend their friendship and share any problems you may feel able to confide in them. Sometimes the care taken to spare others our traumas excludes our main supporters in Christ, when they are only too willing to help. There is much to be gained in strengthening our relationships with Jesus and each other and very little to be lost.

Worship and Involvement of Parishioners

On most Sundays about 150 to 200 people worship at Saint Peter’s. With weekday and Sunday services, and significant participation by the laity, it’s good to have a large number of people volunteer to be on a worship roster.

Liturgical Assistants are licensed by the Archbishop to help the priests in the administration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and in each congregation each week you will find other people — young and old — who assist in many ways:

sidesmen who greet people as they arrive, hand them the books they need to join in the service and a weekly pew-sheet and then take up the offertories.

servers who assist the celebrant during the service.

readers who read the scripture passages.

intercessors who lead the prayers of the congregation.

There is another roster for people who provide and serve breakfast after the 7.00am service and morning tea following the 9.30am service — these provide the opportunity for fellowship and a chance to make new friends.

Each week dedicated teams count the offertories and do the banking. Volunteers are needed for relief duties when regular counters are “let or hindered” for any reason.

Volunteers are always needed … we have a variety of other ways in which people can be involved in the life of our Parish.

Ministries with Children

New parishioners with children often ask, “Do you have a Sunday School?”

The short answer is, “Definitely, yes!” The children spend from 9.30am to about 10.15am in the Undercroft having graded lessons, and join the adults upstairs for the last twenty minutes. Children are encouraged to participate in worship, activities, games, Bible stories etc.

Our Sunday School is led by Miss Bev Philben and a team of willing helpers.

Classes for Admission to Holy Communion and Confirmation are held regularly. Father Harry prepares his students carefully for the next phase of their Christian lives when they regularly share in the Holy Sacrament.

Religious Education in the Schools

Our Parish works together with the other Christian churches in our area on combined activities, including the support of the ministry in the four local State Schools (Primary and Secondary).

Community Service

Our Parish has completed and commissioned a special building which is used by the Saint Luke’s Nursing Service (Spiritus) as a day respite care centre.

The Parish provides a meeting place for : a Play group; the Ikenobo/Ikenaba Society; Carers Queensland; the Mental Illness Fellowship; the Mental Health Fellowship; a Karate group .The Gold Coast Stroke Support Group also meets in the Undercroft each month

Hospital Visitors

Under the oversight of our Hospital Chaplain a number of Parishioners are active in visiting in our local hospitals and the Parish Priest is available at any time.

Study Groups/Alpha

Bible Study is an established part of life at Saint Peter’s, usually on Wednesdays at 11.00am. Alpha Courses are also held during the year for those who wish to explore the significant questions on the meaning of life.