Our new Pastoral Scheme, launched in the middle of the pandemic, is called Egg Boxes.
This is a Pastoral Scheme to give a framework to help us take care of each other. It has been set up during the Covid 19 Pandemic, but is intended to be a permanent scheme that will change and adapt over the next weeks, months and years.
The title Egg Box has been chosen as it speaks of a unit that we know about in our every day life when we go shopping. An egg box keeps the eggs safe as they are transported and we want to keep each other safe and care for every person.
The Bible speaks of how God covers us with his wings:
In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. Psalm 57 Verse 1
For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
Psalm 63 Verse 7
He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge.
Psalm 91: 4
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
Matthew 23: 37
How will this work?
• The aim is that every person (who wants to) in the church family will be in an egg box of around 6-8 people (with some exceptions!) Some of those will be current groupings, many will be new.
• Each egg box will have a co-ordinator – someone who will oversee the group. They will aim to help the group to keep in touch with each other However, the aim of the egg boxes is that each grouping supports each other.
• The co-ordinators will also communicate between the group, the ministry team and myself.
• The co-ordinator will hold the contact details that an individual is happy to give. These will be kept safely and not given out to anyone without consent.
• Where the group are willing, contact details can be shared with the group so that people can care for each other. These must not be shared without consent.
• Every group is likely to work in a different way so there is no right or wrong but please remember that the aim is to care for each other and each co-ordinator is a volunteer.
• This does not stop any individual contacting The Pastoral ALMs, LLMs, Church Wardens, PCC or The Vicar.
• Any safeguarding issues always need to be notified to Rev Sarah or Sue Marsh (Parish Safeguarding Officer) as soon as possible.
• The scheme has been set up in the Covid 19 Pandemic and all guidance and law must be followed at all times in terms of meeting each other and any forms of communication.