Physical Illness
Illnesses are separated into two broad categories:
- Routine/expected/minor hospital stays, or those who are temporarily housebound and unable to attend church.
- Critical/life threatening illness, children in hospital, vulnerable adults, sudden unexpected hospital stays, long term housebound.
1. Routine/expected/minor hospital stays, or those who are temporarily housebound and unable to attend church
Group/Team
- Offers Prayer
- Regular contact
- Offers of practical support such as meals or transport to and from hospital or shopping
Collective/Team/Location pastoral team
- Offers oversight to group/team
- Inclusion in prayer
- Consideration of any other support needed, eg letting YOUTH team know if a young person’s parent is going for an operation
Staff pastors/Renewal pastoral team offers
- None – support is covered by collectives and group/team
Further pastoral support
- None – support is covered by collectives and group/team
2. Critical/life threatening illness, children in hospital, vulnerable adults, sudden unexpected hospital stays, long term housebound
Group/Team
- Offers prayer
- Regular contact/friendship visits to hospital if appropriate
- Offers of practical support such as meals or transport to and from hospital or shopping
- Inform collective/team pastor within 24 hours
Collective/Team/Location pastoral team
- Offers oversight to group/team
- Inclusion in prayer
- Liaising with other teams to ensure the whole family are cared for
- Pastoral Hospital visits to offer prayer and communion
- Consider whether the person requires further support from external agencies e.g. Social Services
- Consider any negative financial impact on the person or family due to the illness and refer to HH and Relief Fund as needed
- Inform pastor for care and growth by emailing care@renewalcc.com immediately
Staff pastors/Renewal pastoral team
- Supervision and support to pastoral lead from collective/team/location
- Additional visits to hospital/hospice as requested and appropriate
- Preparation of funeral service and wishes if needed
Other inputs
- Listening service for any members of family who need time and care
- Visiting team to conduct additional visits, or visits where someone isn’t part of a group and team.
Special attention and things to think about
- Helping hands/Relief fund if illness is having a negative financial impact
- Online group meets thru zoom or similar may allow someone to continue to attend groups meetings even when in hospital/housebound.