Parishes in the southern part of the Blackmore Vale
Deanery
Lay Pastoral Assistants – Training 2008
Introduction
The Course will start on Tuesday 5th February at 7.30pm at the Parish Room, Stalbridge Parish Church. The Leader will be the Revd Tony Raven, Assistant Priest in the Hazelbury Bryan Benefice.
There will be an Introductory Session followed by ten further sessions spread over a period of weeks. A gap of a few weeks between the Introductory Session and first meeting will allow students to set up support groups within their parishes.
Further dates will be agreed between students and tutor at the first session, but the following are suggested: -
Tuesdays 26th February Session 1
11th March Session 2
1st April Session 3
15th April Session 4
29th April Session 5
13th May Session 6
20th May Session 7
10th June Session 8
8th July Session 9
15th July Session 10
Preliminary work will need to be undertaken as follows: -
Ø Write a draft ministerial specification in conjunction with a priest outlining suggested work the Lay Pastoral Assistant may be involved in. This would be reviewed at the end of the course. It should include – what the LPA might do – the number of hours offered – details of expected expenses
Ø Complete a pastoral visit with an experienced person before starting the course
Ø Discuss with the support priest as to who might be a part of the Support Group
Each student will also be required to
Ø Keep a prayer/journey diary during the course
Ø Complete CRB Forms
NB - Candidates
will not be able to participate in the course if they, together with their
priest, are unable to attend the first session.
The Course Work
Introductory Session – for those wishing to become an LPA
A joint session for LPA candidates and their supervising minister and held a few weeks before the course begins.
During this time each student, with their clergy, will need
to set up a support group and together have some initial discussion and
reading.
Session 1 – Learning
to listen in pastoral care
Aims: To identify the basic skills in pastoral care
To consider factors that will help or hinder listening
To understand some of the problems
associated with disabilities
Session 2 Understanding life in pastoral care
Aims: To understand loss and change as part of
normal life
To understand that changes can affect lives
To reflect on how LPAs can help
others with changes
Session 3 Understanding myself (in pastoral care)
Aims: To understand how our lives change
To understand that our spiritual
lives can also change
To realise that we are not always
seen by others as we would expect
To consider our personal time and
space
Session 4 Working with children, young people and
families
Aims: To understand a 21st century upbringing
To consider places and opportunities
for meeting families and young people
To reflect on practical issues when
working with families and young people
Session 5 Working with the sick and those with special
needs
Aims: To identify good practice when visiting the
sick
To be aware of underlying factors
that may affect the sick.
To identify some useful resources for
prayer etc for using with the sick.
Session 6 Working with the elderly, dying and bereaved
Aims: To reflect on our perceptions of the elderly
and growing old
To understand the impact on family
life of someone with dementia
To understand the nature and pattern
of grieving
To understand the grieving journey
Session 7 Working with those with personal and spiritual
difficulties
Aims: Understanding that people have hidden agendas
Understanding various ways in which
people can become upset
Understanding spiritual pain
Session 8 The role of the Bible and prayer in pastoral
care
Aims: To understand the importance of prayer and
Bible study in our own lives
To remember that we are pastoral and
theological
To identify when prayer and use of
the Bible is appropriate in pastoral care
Session 9 Good practice in pastoral care
Aims: To consider what is helpful / unhelpful when
making a visit
To consider the appropriate-ness of
listening / speaking in context with a visit
To learn strategies for coping with / and defusing a difficult situation or conflict
To be aware of the importance of de-briefing
Session 10 Collaborative and multi-disciplinary working
Aims: To understand that you are working within a
team
To understand the need for
sharing, bearing in mind confidentiality
Know how to and when to refer a
situation
Following the Course each student will be commissioned at a special Service.
Who to contact
William Ridding..... 01963 362859 David Seymour..... 01258 471276
Shirley Smith....... 01258 860261 Darrell Weyman.... 01258 821130
Tony Raven.......... 01258 818191
Please pass names of participants to the Reverend Tony Raven.