St. George’s Church, Cullercoats
Pastoral Group Report to APM
April, 2025
St. George’s has been without an incumbent since 30th June, 2024. However, during the time since then, the Pastoral Group has continued to meet bi-monthly, as it always did prior to Father Adrian’s retirement.
Without Fr. Adrian, there were only four members in the group, namely Ann, Eleanor, Shaun and myself, so I am pleased that Pauline accepted our invitation to join the group, bringing the membership back up to five. We are especially thankful to Pauline for doing so, as she is also our Parish Safeguarding Officer.
Each member of the group has different people to support and the agenda at each meeting covers those who are in care homes, those who receive the Sacrament at home, the sick communicants, those whom we telephone, text or visit regularly, (usually once a month,) and others with whom we maintain contact.
The members also check and update the newsletter intercessions and monthly lists and monitor how many people receive the weekly newsletter by email. This currently stands at ninety-one.
The group looks at the pastoral attendance list, notes any newcomers to the congregation and this year did the yearly statistics which are required by the Church of England.
We send out first wedding anniversary cards to those who have been married in church – baptism and wedding cards are sent out by the Mothers’ Union - and have a regular slot in the weekly newsletter. We would be grateful if you could check with the group before adding anyone to the newsletter prayer list, as not everyone is comfortable with having their names publicised.
We could not run the pastoral group without the support of so many people, the bishops and priests who celebrate the Eucharist, Carol who compiles the newsletter and others outside the pastoral group who give lifts and support to our parishioners, welcome newcomers and visitors to our congregation and provide refreshments after the Sunday and Thursday Eucharists.
Our grateful thanks go to you all.
Margaret Patterson
(Reader & Pastoral Group Co-ordinator)