DISCIPLESHIP, VOCATION AND MINISTRY
PASTORAL ASSISTANTS AND FUNERAL MINISTRY
TRAINING PROGRAMME November 2016 – June 2017
Funeral ministry is a crucial part of the mission and ministry of the Church of England. It is a privilege and a joy to stand with people in their most difficult hours and days. Conducting effective and meaningful liturgy, exercising pastoral care and engaging in follow-up are all excellent ways of serving in ministry.
You need to complete all the following parts and produce a portfolio/folder of work. Take this paper with you to the sessions and have them signed off by the appropriate person and then put it as the front sheet in your portfolio.
November 2016
- Sessions on ‘Preparing for funeral ministry’ with the Local Ministry Programme on Friday evening 4th November and all day Saturday 5th November 2016 (no overnight stay) at De Vere Horsley Towers, nrClandon.
The components are:rites of passage, the life cycle of bereavement: understanding death and dying, funeral scenarios and complications, the role of the minister, Common Worship services and how they work, managing the liturgical development and process.
Signed off by Revd Dr Steve Summers……………………………………..
December 16 to March 17
- Practical engagement in the parish supervised by the incumbent. (After authorisation, we suggest that the PA is observed conducting 2 funerals before being allowed to exercise the ministry independently.)
The components are:observation of three funerals including one home visit, participation in two funerals, reflection on all the above, how to relate to funeral directors, arranging the visit, checking details: location, time, completing records and paperwork, service sheets, hymns, music etc, time management, understanding fees and expenses.
Signed off by incumbent……………………………………………………………..
March/April 2017
- If possible, arrange to visit a local funeral director and have a conversation with them. The components are: how to build relationships, what funeral directors expect, what annoys them about clergy, how to communicate.
Signed off by incumbent……………………………………………….…………………………
Date ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Between March – June 2017 (dates tba) (unless you did it in 2016)
- The PA Foundation Training Course Bereavement Specialism will happen over two Saturdays. You need to make contact with Sue Lawrence () who will send you further details.
The components are:listening skills, self-awareness and protection,emotional responses: yours and theirs, family dynamics, reading between the lines and listening to what’s not being said; boundaries and confidentiality, the lifecycle and loss, theories of grief and bereavement, a Christian response to death and loss.
Signed off by Sue Lawrence………………………………………………………..…
July 2017
- LMP Preaching session 10th July 2017, 7.30 – 10pm. A session dedicated to preaching at funeral services, joining LMP students in training for ministry, at Christ’s College, Larch Avenue, Guildford GU1 1JY.
Signed off by Revd Barbara Steele-Perkins……………………………….
Portfolio
At this meeting (10th July), hand in your portfolio which will be read and returned to you along with a Certificate of Achievement. During the whole year, you will need to create a folder/portfolio of reflections and evidence which should include:
- notes from the specialism days
- notes from the LMP sessions
- notes from the conversation with Funeral Director
- reflections and observations from your funeral ministry ‘shadow’ experience
Signed off by Canon Dr Hazel Whitehead………………………………
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