Reepham Benefice

 

Apart from Baptism and Marriage, which have their own dedicated pages, this area of our website deals with some of the Ministry available in the Reepham Benefice.  People often contact the Church with requests to share in their own personal journey, or for help in all sorts of areas, sometimes they are unsure how the Church might be of help, but nevertheless seek God’s presence and guidance in a particular or special way.

 

Some of the special ways that the Church can offer help are known as “sacraments”. The Church of England understands a sacrament as an “outward and visible sign of an inner spiritual grace” , or in other words a very special prayer is said, perhaps with a small ceremony (maybe the laying on of hands) – This is the outward and visible sign. Whilst this is happening , God meets with us in a very deep and profound way – The inner spiritual grace.

 

The Church recognises two Sacraments, that is Holy Communion, and Baptism. However, there are other sacraments (with a small “s”) , that whilst were not explicitly handed down to us by Jesus himself as things Christians should do for others, are none-theless important signs of God working within us. One of these is marriage, which is looked at in more detail on the marriage pages. Other sacraments are:

 

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation is often seen as the completion of our  baptism, and in many churches, including ours, it is following confirmation, that the newly confirmed receive Holy Communion for the first time. In Confirmation candidates confirm the Baptismal vows made on their behalf by their parents and Godparents , often many years before. Even those who have been baptised when they are old enough to make the baptism vows themselves are encouraged to be confirmed, as this gives them also the opportunity to confirm the vows made. At a confirmation service, the Bishop will lay hands on each candidate, and ask for God to send his Holy Spirit down upon them. This is a very moving service. One recently confirmed candidate has written about her experiences:

 

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

In the anointing of the sick, the priest prays for wholeness and healing whilst anointing with oil those who are unwell. This is done occasionally as part of our weekly Holy Communions (see “what’s on”), or in cases where someone is gravely ill, or unable to come to church, they can be anointed in their own home.  This sacrament can also be used when someone is approaching the end of their life, as a powerful symbol of God’s love for them. many who have been anointed talk afterwards of an inner peace and loss of fear.

 

HOME COMMUNION

 

If you are sick or housebound, even if this is only temporary, we can arrange for Communion to be bought to you at home.   We would normally bring Communion straight from the main Communion service of the day, although this can be arranged at other times if necessary. The elements (bread and wine) that we bring will normally already be consecrated, and there are a number of lay Ministers in the Benefice authorised and trained to bring Communion to you in this way.

 

MINISTRY TO THE DYING

 

Many relatives and friends find great comfort in prayers being said with and for their loved ones as they approach death. These type of prayers, that some call “the last rites” can be combined with anointing, and Communion if appropriate. The Rector or another ordained person would normally visit on such occasions , and this is an opportunity both to pray with and for the person who is dying, but also with relatives and friends, and offer support and comfort.

 

MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

 

There are times in many people’s lives when the burden of our thoughts, actions and feelings needs to be lifted particularly when these acts and emotions have been directed in a self seeking or destructive way (often described by the words “sin”). Since very early days the  Church has taught that whilst Jesus took the burden of our sins away, once and for all, we continue to go our own way, and are in need of both the opportunity to say sorry, and to be reminded that we are forgiven.

 

Sometimes people need to do something tangible in relation to the guilt that  they are feeling, and the Church of England has always provided a way for this to happen in what is known as the Ministry of reconciliation. Some people call this confession, and may have many (wrong) ideas about what it is , or what takes place.

 

The introduction to the form of service used for this type of ministry explains it in this way:

 

“The Book of Common Prayer includes the following pastoral exhortation:‘… if there be any of you, who by this means [self-examination, confession and repentance] cannot quiet his own conscience herein, but requireth further comfort or counsel, let him come to me, or to some other discreet and learned Minister of God’s Word, and open his grief, that by the ministry of God’s holy Word he may receive the benefit of absolution, together with ghostly counsel and advice, to the quieting of his conscience, and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness.’ The aim of such a ministry of comfort and counsel is to establish an individual in the freedom and forgiveness of Christ. It can be exercised in a variety of ways at the discretion of the minister.”

 

The Church of England does not insist that its members make a formal confession in this way. Most of our services in church begin with some form of confession and a declaration that our sins are forgiven.  However, for some people regular individual confession helps them to grow in faith. Others find confession helpful at moments of crisis or decision, or when they feel burdened by a sense of failure and shortcoming.

Sometimes people can dwell very much on their own shortcomings and failings. Far from allowing the person making their confession to dwell on the negative, this particular form of ministry is about the positives, reconciliation with God. We all have our faults, and make mistakes, we all need to forgive and to experience forgiveness.

You will not be judged as part of this act of penance, and everything said is absolutely confidential and is never discussed by the priest with anyone.

If you are want to know more about anything that we offer, please contact us