Wessex Synod rep given tour of PEH
A REPRESENTATIVE of the Wessex Synod of the United Reformed Church has been visiting the island.
The Rev. Mary Thomas, who acts as a support officer for the synod, was given a tour of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital by PEH chaplain the Rev. Linda Le Vasseur.
She went on to meet other local spiritual leaders, and preached at the United Reformed Church in St Saviour’s on Sunday.
‘I come over every two years as the Wessex Synod of the URC covers Guernsey,’ Ms Thomas said.
‘Our main objectives are to see how people are and provide pastoral care, as well as offer any advice, guidance and training that might be required.’
The training, she said, could be for a range of different roles and positions, such as ministries, celebrations and ordinations.
‘We want to enable the churches we cover to broaden their relationship with God, and to reach out to those who haven’t heard God’s message or perhaps feel rejected in some way.’
She emphasised that the URC was inclusive and welcomed those of any and no faith.
‘We cover a huge area in the UK, from Bridport to Chichester and all the way up to Banbury, and obviously the Channel Islands too.’
Mrs Le Vasseur said that Ms Thomas’ visit helped amplify her team’s work at the PEH. ‘We call ourselves the ministry of presence. We aim to be there for people at the best and the worst of times, and support patients and their friends and family, as well as hospital staff.
‘Our profile has certainly lifted in the six years since I was appointed, and the pandemic showed how important it is to have a chaplaincy at the hospital.’
