Main Guide Menu | Methodist Church Section Menu
Religious contacts and religious practices
Essential Practice Point 2
- Most healthcare settings have a designated Methodist chaplaincy resource whose role assists in responding to the religious needs of members. A person may wish to see a Methodist chaplain or indeed their own minister, hence a religious contact needs to be established.
- Some hospitals operate on-call rotas for members of a group of Christian churches including Church of Ireland, Methodist and Presbyterian, who provide appropriate pastoral care when requested. When a non-Methodist minister/chaplain is called the chaplain should be made aware of what is being requested and be agreeable to fulfilling the request. Additionally, where possible, the person should be notified that the chaplain being called is from another denomination.
(Return to Summary of Essential Practice Points)
- The Methodist Church, relatively speaking, places less emphasis on religious ceremony and ritual. Methodism recognises two sacraments common to some Christian churches, namely the Sacrament of Baptism (discussed below) and the Sacrament of Holy Communion (or Eucharist). If a person wishes to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion a Methodist Minister should normally be called. Where this is not possible it may be acceptable for a chaplain/clergy from another Christian church to administer Holy Communion, for example the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian or Baptist. The family/patient should be asked if the arrangement is suitable to them.
Blood Transfusion and Organ Transplantation
There is no religious objection to these procedures.
