BEING THERE

Caring for the Bereaved

JOHN PORTER

Jesus, the man for others, was there for people in his earthly life and ministry and is present today in and through his Church. John Porter is a priest who has sought, in the course of nearly half a century of parish ministry, to follow the example of Jesus and simply to ‘be there' for others. In this book, he writes from his experience and insights gained from being with people in bereavement. Learning both from his own ministry and from that of others, he gives examples of what to do, and what not to do, sometimes using gentle humour to make his point.

Although this book is not intended to serve as a manual for the pastoral care of the bereaved, it does offer some practical advice and support for those who find themselves called to ‘be there' for someone who is experiencing bereavement, whether this forms part of a frequent ministry or happens from time to time.

JOHN PORTER is an Anglican priest who has retired to Northern France after nearly 45 years of active parochial ministry in England , mainly in the Diocese of Lichfield. He now gives occasional help to the Pas-de-Calais Anglican Chaplaincy and assists ecumenically in the local Roman Catholic parish. He is married with three sons, one of whom is an Anglican priest in the north of England .

Fairacres Publication 157

ISBN 978-0-7283-0176-4

Price £3.50 ISSN 0307-1405

This publication belongs in the series Life is for Living