Pastoral care

What is pastoral care at the Minster?

The quiet, confidential work of supporting members of the community when life is difficult. It includes a one-to-one conversation, a visit at home — with practical support — for those who can no longer easily come to the Minster, prayer, the service for the bereaved held at the Minster each year around Christmas, and the everyday accompanying of one another through joys and sorrows.

The Wellbeing Team (formerly the Pastoral Care Team) brings together clergy and lay members, with a vision of supporting all members of, and groups within, the Minster community — especially those who are struggling. The team is also developing safe, sustainable mentoring support for young people where there is a need.

How to ask for pastoral support: speak to any of the clergy in person after a service, email the Wellbeing Team directly at pastoralcareteam@beverleyminster.org.uk, or speak to one of the lay ministers. If you would rather write it down, there are paper request forms on the table by the Highgate entrance, with a safe box to post them in — useful if you would like a call or a visit. Conversations are held in confidence, within the one important limit explained under “Confidentiality” below. (One practical note: email to the Wellbeing Team arrives in a shared mailbox read by the whole team — so if you would rather speak to one person alone, ask for them by name or speak in person.)

Do I have to be a regular worshipper to ask?

No. You do not need to be a regular, and you do not need to explain in advance why you would like to talk. The team includes clergy and lay people, and the work ranges from a quiet conversation to practical visits.

What is prayer ministry?

Prayer ministry is offered during and after the Sunday morning services, in the prayer area near the prayer table. There is no formal preparation; you simply tell the team member what you would like to be prayed for, or for whom, and they will pray with you. It is brief and confidential.

Where else can I go nearby?

The Diocese of York’s pastoral structures are available, and Wydale Hall — the diocesan retreat centre on the edge of the North York Moors — offers individual and group retreats, quiet days, study days and parish weekends. Many in the Minster community go to Wydale at least once a year.

Confidentiality

Conversations with clergy, lay ministers and the Wellbeing Team are held in confidence, and that confidence is taken seriously. It is not, however, absolute. If something is disclosed that raises a concern for the safety or welfare of a child or a vulnerable adult, we are obliged to follow the Church of England’s safeguarding procedures, summarised in our safeguarding note. If you would like to know in advance how confidentiality would be handled in your situation, please do ask — the clergy will be glad to explain before you share anything.

Section 14 of 26 in the Companion