TENDING TO NEEDS
Responding to human need by loving service
The third Mark of Mission calls us “to respond to human need by loving service.”
At St Andrew’s, we seek to follow the example of Jesus by caring for people with compassion, dignity and love. We believe God cares for the whole person - body, mind and spirit - and we live this out through prayer, pastoral support, visiting, practical help, hospitality and community care.
Tending to needs is part of our shared calling as the people of God: to notice where there is need and respond with kindness, wisdom and loving service.
How St Andrew’s Cares
Pastoral Listening and Support
There are times when we all need someone to listen.
Our clergy and pastoral team offer a listening ear, prayer, encouragement and pastoral support during times of illness, loneliness, bereavement, uncertainty or change.
Where specialist support is needed, we may advise you to contact an appropriate professional or local organisation.
Prayer Ministry
Prayer is at the heart of our care for others.
Whether you are facing illness, bereavement, uncertainty or another difficult season, you can ask us to pray for you or for someone you care about.
Our Prayer page explains
Visiting Ministry and Home Communion
Our clergy and appropriately authorised members of the pastoral team visit people who are housebound, unwell, in hospital, living in residential or nursing care, or unable to attend worship.
Visits may include companionship, prayer, pastoral support and, where appropriate, Holy Communion at home or in a care setting. We also seek to support those experiencing loneliness, illness or reduced independence, helping people remain connected with the life of the church.
This ministry is normally offered to people who live within the St Andrew’s parish boundary or who already have a connection with St Andrew’s. Where someone lives in another parish, we may encourage them to contact their local parish church so that they can receive ongoing care and support within their own community.
Bereavement and Times of Loss
The death of someone we love can be deeply painful, and grief affects everyone differently.
At St Andrew’s, we offer prayer, pastoral support and a listening ear before and after a funeral. We can also help with the practical arrangements for a funeral and continue to support you in the weeks and months that follow.
Community Life and Belonging
Tending to need is not limited to times of crisis.
Through hospitality, community activities and the everyday life of the church, we seek to create opportunities for friendship, conversation and belonging.
St Andrew’s is also open at various times through the year as a peaceful space for prayer, reflection, history and community events, some of which raise funds for local causes.
A Shared Ministry of Care
Pastoral care is a ministry of the whole church family.
At St Andrew’s, this care is shared by clergy and appropriately trained and authorised members of the congregation. When someone visits, listens, prays or offers encouragement in the name of St Andrew’s, they are expressing the care of the whole church.
Those serving in pastoral roles receive appropriate guidance, support and supervision. Safeguarding training, references and DBS checks are required for relevant ministries.
We will always seek to walk alongside people with compassion, while recognising when specialist or professional support may be more appropriate.
Our Community Support
St Andrew’s supports organisations that respond to practical needs within our local community.
North Enfield Foodbank
St Andrew’s supports North Enfield Foodbank by collecting food and essential items throughout the year, with a particular focus during Harvest.
These donations help support local individuals and families experiencing food insecurity and financial hardship.
As the Foodbank’s needs change regularly, please follow the link below to see which items are currently most needed.
The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre
St Andrew’s supports The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre through collections and fundraising at some of our Open Church events.
The Nightingale provides practical and emotional support for people affected by cancer, including their families, friends and carers.
Finding Further Support
Sometimes people need practical or specialist help beyond what St Andrew’s can provide directly.
The following local and national organisations may be able to offer further information, advice or support.
These organisations are independent of St Andrew’s Church. Services, eligibility and availability may vary, so please contact each organisation directly for the most current information.
Housing and Homelessness
Support for people who are homeless, sleeping rough, at risk of homelessness or experiencing housing difficulties.
Adult Social Care and Older People
Information and support for adults who need care, relatives who are concerned about someone, and unpaid carers.
Food, Money and Practical Help
Support for people experiencing financial difficulty, debt, benefit problems or difficulty affording essential items.
Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
Specialist support for people experiencing mental-health difficulties, emotional distress, anxiety, depression or loneliness.
Children, Families and Carers
Support for children, young people, families and people caring for relatives or friends.
Domestic Abuse and Personal Safety
Confidential specialist support for anyone experiencing domestic abuse or concerned about their personal safety.
Disability, SEND and Additional Support
Support is available locally for children, young people and adults with disabilities, special educational needs or additional support needs.
Children and young people:
information about education, health, care and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Adults:
information and support for adults with care and support needs, including those arising from disability or sensory impairment.
Serving Through Tending to Needs
Responding to human need is part of the calling of the whole church.
Some people feel particularly drawn to ministries of care, prayer, hospitality, practical service or community support. There are many ways to become involved, including:
- supporting Foodbank collections;
- helping with the Harvest collection;
- assisting at Open Church;
- offering hospitality;
- helping with community activities;
- welcoming and befriending others;
- supporting prayer ministry;
- offering practical help;
- exploring pastoral or care-home ministry.
Some roles require careful discernment, appropriate training, references, safeguarding checks and ongoing support before anyone begins serving.
This particularly applies to pastoral visiting, home Communion, hospital visiting, care-home ministry, bereavement ministry, one-to-one prayer ministry and roles involving children or adults at risk.
If you feel called to serve in one of these areas, we would love to hear from you. Your enquiry will be the beginning of a conversation about where your gifts and calling might best be used, together with any training, safeguarding checks or support that may be needed for the role.
Deliverance Ministry
There are rare occasions when individuals need – or think they may need – deliverance ministry, either for themselves or for their homes. This is a very specialised ministry indeed and the Diocese of London has highly trained priests to undertake this ministry. If you have concerns that you feel might be addressed through Deliverance Ministry, please email Rev Dr Steve and he will have a conversation with you sensitively, working with you towards an appropriate course of action.
Your enquiry will be treated sensitively and with appropriate confidentiality, subject to St Andrew’s safeguarding responsibilities.
Safeguarding, Confidentiality and Boundaries
Pastoral conversations are treated with care, sensitivity and appropriate confidentiality.
There may be circumstances where information must be shared if there is a safeguarding concern, a risk of serious harm or another legal responsibility.
St Andrew’s follows Church of England safeguarding procedures. People serving in relevant pastoral roles complete the appropriate safeguarding training, checks and supervision.
St Andrew’s offers pastoral and spiritual care. We do not provide professional counselling, medical advice, personal care or emergency services. Where appropriate, we may encourage someone to seek support from a qualified professional or specialist organisation.
Need urgent help?
St Andrew's is not an emergency or crisis-response service.
Immediate danger or someone's life is at risk: call 999.
Urgent medical or mental-health help: call 111 (select the mental-health option where appropriate).
Urgent safeguarding concern: see our Safeguarding page for church, diocesan and local-authority contacts.
For housing, domestic abuse, mental-health and other specialist support, please see the Finding Further Support section above.
Whatever You Are Facing, You Do Not Have to Face It Alone
At St Andrew’s, we seek to respond with compassion, prayer and loving service.
Whether you would like prayer, pastoral support, a visit or an opportunity to serve others, please get in touch.