Care at St Paul’s
How does Care happen at St Paul’s?
Pastoral care is the way the church supports people spiritually, emotionally, and practically, especially in times of need. Rooted in Christ, it goes beyond general care by offering hope, encouragement, and a reminder of God’s presence and sovereignty. It helps people stay connected to their faith and community, speaking the hope of Jesus into hardship.
Pastoral care isn’t just the role of the church staff, it’s a shared calling across the church, as we carry one another’s burdens and love each other well (Galatians 6:2, John 13, Ephesians 4). Whether through a quiet visit, a prayer, a message, or walking with someone through grief, pastoral care is the church being the church, caring as Jesus would, with compassion and grace.
OUR CARE PASTOR
Vanessa Turner
Vanessa works Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday helping to co-ordinate care at St Paul’s, looking after our volunteer Care teams and providing training and support.
Call Vanessa: (02) 8858 1102
Did you know we have an on-site counsellor?
Robyn Bowman is a Christian counsellor who is compassionate, kind, understanding, with no judgment.
Robyn Bowman offers counselling for adults, teens and children, utilising her well-practiced listening skills to ensure the client feels safe, optimistic and valued. Robyn has worked for many years in school settings, in pastoral care, Chaplaincy, schools ministry and teaching. Now, at Robyn Bowman Counselling, she brings to the counselling room her skills and extensive life experience including parenting (now adult children), running her own business, church life, musicianship, marriage and other family complexities.
Robyn Bowman
Robyn is available in the church office on Thursdays and Fridays.
Other local counsellors and psychologists
We would love everyone to have access to the support they need for their mental health.
Small Groups
Small Groups are the lifeblood of our church, offering a space where we grow together in God’s Word while building a caring and supportive community. As members do life together, Small Groups provide a listening presence and respond to practical needs – like meals or transport – when they arise. They are often the first to identify care needs and will communicate those needs to the wider care team when additional support is needed. We encourage everyone to be part of a Small Group!
Meals Ministry
Our Meals Ministry is a simple but powerful way we care for one another in times of need – whether it’s after surgery, the arrival of a new baby, illness, grief, or other challenging circumstances.
Frozen Meals
We keep a supply of frozen meals at church, ready to be shared in emergency or unexpected situations. We will call out to the meals team when the freezer needs to be restocked. All that is required is a simple homecooked a meal, labelled clearly with your name, date cooked, number of servings, dish name, and any dietary info), and drop it off at church or the office (Monday–Thursday). We’re always grateful for these contributions.
Meal Train
From time to time, we organise meal rosters (Meal Trains) to support individuals or families over a week or two with fresh delivered meals. Volunteers sign up to cook and deliver a meal on a specific day. These opportunities are shared via email by our Meals Ministry Coordinator, Leanne Coia.
Need a meal?
If you or someone you know is going through a tough time and could use a few meals, we’re here to help – confidentially and with care. Just reach out and we’ll arrange support through a frozen meal or a meal train, depending on the situation.
Want to get involved?
Contact our Care team, or the church office to find out more, request support, or join the team. This is a beautiful way to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our church family.
Help at Home
Help at Home is an initiative run 3 or 4 times per year that provides practical help for people who have a need around their home. Not only does this day reflect Jesus’ servant heart, it also builds community within our church.
This is a great thing to do as a family, with your small group or just grab a few mates.
There are no special skills required – if you can push a mower, paint a fence or pull out a weed we would love you to join our team. If you have a specific trade we encourage you to consider volunteering your time so we can tackle some more specialist tasks as needed.
Heart and Hands
Heart and Hands is the way we provide practical help for members of our church family who require extra assistance.
- Transport to appointments
- Urgent or occasional odd jobs around the house for those in need (especially in between Help at Home days)
- Support for new families with babies who are going through difficulties, from time to time
- You will be called on occasionally for urgent help and will need to have a WWCC and safe ministry certificate to do this.
Heart Team at Sunday services
Every Sunday you will find our Heart Team ready to support you and pray with you after the service. You will see us with pink lanyards, standing with a large banner so you know where to find us.
Staff Pastoral Team
Each month, the ministry staff meet together to discuss pastoral matters within our congregation, allocate follow-up and care, and receive training to grow in various areas of pastoral care. The team also stays in regular daily contact, sharing and responding to pastoral needs as they arise.
Lay Pastoral Ministry Team
Each month, a small team representing each congregation meets to discuss and allocate care needs across our church. This group is highly skilled in pastoral care and also receives ongoing training, as we work through pastoral care resources together each month and pray for members of our church.
Emergency Care Packages
From time to time, people come to our door seeking urgent care. We have a process and policy in place to respond to these requests, which includes providing emergency food packages, food vouchers, and a resource list with information on where they can access longer-term support.
Heart Notes
Each term our pastoral care team put together ‘Heart Notes’, a newsletter reflecting on how we have been caring for each other, and sharing helpful resources, reading suggestions and links.
MENTAL HEALTH, COUNSELLING AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES AND RESOURCES
EMERGENCY 000
If you or someone you are with is in immediate danger, please call 000.
After Hours Pastoral Care Phone 8858 1166
If you need to speak urgently with a member of our staff pastoral team outside of usual business hours, please contact us via this number.
Mental Health Line 1800 011 511
Statewide phone service which links you with NSW Health Mental Health Services
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Talk to a trained mental health professional any time of the day or night. Calls are confidential. They will listen, provide information and advice and point you in the right direction to seek further support. Open 24/7
Lifeline 13 11 14
24-hour crisis support telephone service. Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
A telephone counselling support line for children and young people ages 5 to 25 and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Headspace
Mental health workers, which may include psychologists, counsellors and other workers, provide counselling & support, information & referral and opportunities for children and young people 12 to 25 years old to talk with someone about their feelings or concerns.
www.headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/castle-hill/
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
National services that provide free 24/7 phone, video and online professional counselling to people who are affected by suicide.
DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE RESOURCES
Renew
An Australian Guide for Survivors of Domestic Abuses
Safer
Resources to help Australian Churches understand, identify and respond to domestic and family violence.
Domestic Violence Hotline for Advice (24/7) 1800 65 64 63
Telephone crisis counselling and referral service for women
1800 RESPECT (24/7) 1800 737 732
Confidential information, counselling and support service for domestic abuse
Men’s Line (24/7) 1300 78 99 78
Telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns
The Duluth Model
The Power and Control Wheel is a helpful tool to understand the lived experience of women who live with men who use violence. It is characterised by the pattern of actions that an individual uses to intentionally control or dominate his intimate partner. That is why the words “power and control” are in the centre of the wheel.
SENIORS
My Aged Care Access
Assessment for Aged care Services
Anglicare at Home
Anglicare At Home offers compassionate and quality home care services that fit your lifestyle and meet you where you’re at.