The spiritual well being of our parishioners is of paramount importance to us, and we strive to create a safe, happy, and open environment in our worship, program life, and daily work life at Saint Andrew’s. Regardless of who you are, what you do, or the ideas and opinions you hold, you are welcome in this place and treated as a child of God – loved, redeemed, and embraced.

The following article appealed to me personally, but I think it offers a wonderful pastoral reminder for us all!  Peace be with you in this Easter season.  Mother Anne+

Necessary Skills
from the Rev. Barbara Crafton

You need some skills in order to live well in this world. You need to know how to cook and sew on a button -- if you can't hem something, you need to know that scotch tape will hold a hemline through one wearing, until you can get the garment to someone who can. You need to be able to add and multiply and subtract and divide -- and you need to be able to read a traditional clockface, not just a digital readout of the time, so that later you will understand fractions more easily. You need to know a few simple knots -- a square and a bowline are enough for most of us, though more are better. You need to know how to light a fire and keep it going. You need to know how to perform CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver; also, how and when to apply a tourniquet. You need to know how to read.

You can see that this list is not in either ascending or descending order of importance -- if it were, reading would probably be first.

You also need to know how to delay gratification of your desires, or even to set them aside altogether, if it becomes necessary for the survival of something more important. And so you need to be able to distinguish between what is truly important and what is merely urgent -- they are not the same.

You need to know the direction of your delight -- that activity that will satisfy and interest you for a lifetime. If you are very fortunate, this will also be the way you earn your living, If not, you need to know how to find the time to feed your devotion.

You need to know how to ask for help.

And you need to know how to admit error. Maybe that should have been first.
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What IS Pastoral Care?

First, pastoral care is a specialty of clergy training dealing with the whole person. Humans are a trinity of being – body, mind, and spirit. We are concerned that our parishioners are good stewards of their physical, emotional, and mental health. Priests are historically known as “physicians of souls,” which means that we specialize in that portion of our lives wherein we have intimacy with God and grow to use God’s gifts to our fullest potential. Deacons also have specific training in areas of pastoral care. While clergy are not medical physicians or clinical psychologists, we work closely with those disciplines in helping a person gain balance and wholeness.

What are the Types of Pastoral Care?

1. Crisis and Hospital Care

There are times in all our lives when we encounter personal crises involving our health and well being. People need to feel comfortable calling their clergy to provide guidance during those times. In order for us to provide support, we need to know of your need. Confidentiality laws (such as HIPAA) do not allow hospitals to call clergy when a patient has been admitted. Please ensure that you or a member of your family calls us, so that we may be with you. Also, rules of ethical conduct do not allow clergy to visit persons of the opposite gender alone in their homes. This prevents the traditional “parish call” for pastoral contact. We encourage you to make an appointment or arrange to meet a priest or deacon in a public place … or with other family members present at your home. Under any circumstances, please let us know of your needs.

2. Spiritual Direction

This is the discipline of exploring your life in Christ methodically and with a desire to develop a “rule of life” that will enhance your relationship with the Lord. Spiritual direction is as old as the Church and may include the Sacrament of Reconciliation; use of emotional and personality tools; and reflective conversation regarding the best methods of prayer, study, and ministry discernment. Our rector, Fr. Fred Mann, is specially trained for this ministry.

3. Life Events

All people move through changes in life as we grow older. As our bodies and minds change, our perspective and capacity to engage our deepest levels of being shift as well. We may experience a deep sense of being “troubled” for no apparent reason. We may be facing a critical moment of decision. The clergy of Saint Andrew’s are able and ready to walk with you through those times and provide prayer ministry, support, and resources.

Clergy Training

Our Rector, Fr. Fred Mann, has a strong background in psychology and theology, and has specialized in Jungian methodology for spiritual direction. He also studied with Dr. Edwin Friedman for eight years in a post-graduate exploration of family emotional process using the research of Dr. Murray Bowen of Georgetown Medical School (psychiatry). He has recently been certified as a diocesan consultant for Appreciative Inquiry methodology after study with Dr. Rob Voyle. Fr. Fred, himself, engages in regular psychological and spiritual direction for his own health and spiritual growth. He can be reached through the parish office (816-523-1602) or by email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Our Assistant for Mission, Fr. John Spicer, was trained in secondary education before being called to ordained ministry. In seminary, he took coursework in pastoral theology and served his Clinical Pastoral Education in a hospital setting. He has provided pastoral care in a parish setting for seven years and engages in regular spiritual direction himself. He can be reached through the parish office (816-523-1602, ext. 123) or by email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Our Assistant for Pastoral Care, the Rev. Anne Hutcherson's background will be posted when available. Feel free to contact Anne in the parish office; she can be reached through the parish office (816-523-1602, ext. 105) or by email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Our non-stipendiary Deacon, the Rev. Dr. James Moore, is a retired dental surgeon and currently in private business. Since his ordination, he has specialized in the healing ministry of the Order of St. Luke and in cancer support. He can be reached through the parish office (816-523-1602) or at home at 913-897-2376.