Dirk Evans, a Christian Reformed minister specializing in clinical teaching of pastoral care, began leading workshops in Shelburne in 1996, and last week, his new book, "Hi how are you?" on the topic of lay ministry was dedicated to the Shelburne Chaplaincy Network.

The dedication read: to those "among whom, from whom, with whom I experienced the compassion, competence, (and) contribution of Lay Pastoral Visitors."

The book was launched last Thursday at Trinity United Church. Ministers and lay members were gathered by Alice Porter, Trinity's Pastoral Care Chairperson and volunteer chaplain, to celebrate the event.

By definition, the word "lay" refers to someone who is untrained, unprofessional, unqualified for a given job.

But Mr. Evans' book promotes Lay Ministry as the foundation of congregational care "of the people, by the people and for the people".

Mr. Evans expressed how impressed he had been over the years by the commitment and competence of lay visitors who gave the "same quality of work as paid, educated" church officials. Believing that lay members were already equipped to be pastoral care givers, he saw his job as to support to those who were willing to make visits to the sick and in need in the community.

Rev. Edward Bellsmith, Trinity's minister and chair of the chaplaincy, gave credit to Dirk Evans' leadership for "such an effective pastoral care committee at Trinity Church".

A chaplaincy network was started by the local Ministerial Association 20 years ago to meet the needs of the three longterm care facilities that served Shelburne's aging community.

The task of reaching everyone in need has been impossible for area ministers and most of the work of visiting is carried out by lay volunteer chaplains. Mr. Evans, who ministered as a hospital chaplain for 28 years with a primary focus on the art of teaching/learning, took on the role of their facilitator and educator in Shelburne.

Mr. Evans spoke of pastoral caregivers receiving as much as they gave and reminded the group that "just showing up is 90% of helping". His book provides simple guidelines for caregivers from the "first step of fear of making a visit to the joy experienced after listening well".

Rev. Barbara Moulton, secretary of the Shelburne and Area Chaplaincy, said Mr. Evans had given a gift of "sacred learning that helped us to see what God sees".