Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
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Pastoral Care

"Lord, make us instruments of your peace.  Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.  Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.  For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.  Amen."

-A Prayer attributed to St. Francis, Book of Common Prayer, p. 833

 

In his letter to the church in Philippi, St. Paul writes, “let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.  Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:4-5).” 

Our approach to pastoral care is rooted in St. Paul's words.  We believe that all Christians are called to love and serve one another, just as Christ loved and served us.  In practice, this means taking time to “be there” for other people, especially in difficult times.  At Leeds, we seek to love and serve others by actively listening to them, by being genuinely understanding, patient, and compassionate. 

To learn about specific pastoral services here at Leeds, explore the topics in the sidebar on the left.