SHEPHERD MINISTRY
A. SHEPHERD MINISTRY DEFINED:
The "Shepherds" of Trinity are a small group of adults who visit hospitalized Trinitarians. Predominately the patients are at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg. The Shepherds' ministry falls under the umbrella of the Pastoral Care Commission. The ministry of a Shepherd is a ministry of healing, a ministry of mutuality (both the patient and the Shepherd are "wounded healers"), and a ministry of presence -- "being with" and "companionship to" the hurting. Shepherds are placed on a rotating schedule and typically serve a week at a time, and on average, attempt to visit the hospital three times during their duty week.
B. DISCERNING A CALL TO THIS MINISTRY:
If you think you would like to be a Trinity Shepherd, consider the following questions:
1. Do you know what it feels like to hurt, to grieve, to be lonely, to be wounded?
2. Can you keep confidences?
3. Have you ever learned from some of the difficulties in your life and actually been
strengthened?
4. Do people tend to come to you with their problems?
5. Has anyone ever told you that you are a good listener?
6. Do you like people and care about what is happening to them?
7. Are you a people person?
8. Are you interested in "life stories" people tell?
C. SHEPHERD SERVICES:
--Visiting in the hospital: primarily listening and offering encouragement and hope
--Talking with/Sitting in silence with/Crying with
--Respecting beliefs/faith of the patients
--Praying with
--Rejoicing with
--Suppporting/Comforting
--Hearing spiritual concerns
--Helping patients find the words to ask the questions that need to be asked
--Helping patients to come to terms with reality
--Honoring/maintaining confidentiality
--Communicating with parish clergy and hospital chaplains
D. SHEPHERD TRAINING:
Shepherds participate in quarterly training sessions. Usually the sessions occur during the daytime on a weekday and last approximately two hours. Typical topics include:
--exploring in greater detail what being a "wounded healer" means,
--strengthening listening skills,
--understanding the components of a crisis,
--ministering with the dying, the grieving, the aging & the depressed,
--using spiritual and religious resources, and
--case review of visitations.
Please contact Mr. Randall R. Clingenpeel with any questions or to apply to serve as a Shepherd.
