Pastoral visitation is a very important part of any ministry. As I grow older I realize more than ever how very important it is and it’s more than just a conversation, scripture and a prayer. Sometimes it is buying peppermints, oranges and even special German sausage (although this might involve some driving to get it).

I remember one person, who was a patient with MS in the Roseway Hospital in Shelburne. The first time I went to see him, his wife and daughter, who became best friends of my wife and I, were just leaving after a visit. He wanted some peppermints, and as they were running late, I said “No problem, I will get them for him.”

In another case, a member of my church said she would just love to have an orange, so I went and got her the biggest orange I could get. My, how she enjoyed it! I can still see her sitting on the bed eating it.

There was another dear lady, who wanted cucumber salad at Christmas. I told one of her friends how she would like some cucumber salad and she made her some. She enjoyed that more than turkey. She also mentioned to me that she would love to have some German sausage from Lunenburg. No problem. The next time my wife and I were in Lunenburg, we got some for her. I believe she had it for Christmas dinner along with the cucumber salad.

Being able to help others has all been a very rewarding part of pastoral visitation.

Leslie Jobb