The Pastoral Gift

The ability to show care, concern and love for other people.

This includes aspects of the particular gifts of:

hospitality - the ability to welcome others and put them at ease;

mercy - the ability to cheerfully and practically help those who are suffering

• I am very good at listening
• Others often find my friendship helpful
• I can encourage others and help bear burdens
• I care about other people

"As I have loved you, so you must love one another." [John 13: 34]

External to church..you may have a job which involves working with people; you will find many opportunities to make friends, encourage and support others. Your home is likely to be a place of welcome to others.

Within church..there are many opportunities to use your gifting and contribute to the life of St. Peter's:

• Home visiting - especially the housebound
• Hospital visiting
• Welcoming - formally as a sidesperson at services; on Welcome Desk; informally chatting to newcomers at services and in various groups
• Hosting a Home Group
• Volunteering in Reception
• Youth and Children's work, if your gifting is relating to young people
• Being involved with Alpha courses
• Baptism preparation
• ...and many ways of opening your home to others - offering meals, B & B to visitors, hospitality in all sorts of ways.