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SPAWEB

SPAs are lay men and women authorised by the Diocese to help develop caring and pastoral work on behalf of the church, in a voluntary capacity. At present there are about 16O active SPAs in the Diocese.

SPAs are called to help put God's caring concern for all people into practice. They will do this

• through their own direct contact with people;
• by encouraging and enabling others to exercise a caring ministry;
• by raising awareness of pastoral care needs within their local church and neighbourhood. 

No two SPAs have the same shape to their ministry. Some work mainly within their local church; others work mainly within the local community, based in a local caring agency or project. In many cases it is a mix of the two.

The focus of each SPA's ministry will vary with the needs within their church and local community, and according to their own gifts, experience, knowledge and interests, SPAs will vary in how much time they can commit to their ministry.

The SPA Training Course lasts two years, and a new Course begins each September, The Training Programme involves placements in caring agencies, input on ways of assessing and responding to pastoral care needs, and the exploration of links between pastoral care and Christian faith. The training is challenging but designed to be open to people who learn in different ways and have different previous experiences of formal education. Most people who begin SPA training will already have some experience of caring ministry and the training programme aims to make use of, and build on, this experience.

SPAs are commissioned to serve on behalf of the Diocese, but at the end of training a specific Agreement is drawn up between the SPA, their local church and/or any caring agency where the SPA will be involved. This Agreement will outline both the SPA's responsibilities and arrangements for how he / she will be supported and supervised. Commissioned SPAs are also served by the SPA Council which has overall responsibility at Diocesan level for SPA ministry support, oversight, and training

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