CoNNECT III: How To Train Your Chaplain

Thursday, March 4, 2027  •  10 AM - 4:30 PM

University of Roehampton London, Roehampton Ln, London SW15 5PH

What are the knowledge, skills and behaviours that chaplains should develop and inhabit across the different contexts they work in?

Expert pastoral, spiritual and religious care requires ways of being that are difficult to define. The use of self and need for professional formation, including deep reflection and personal exploration, make it hard to break a chaplain’s work down into a series of capabilities or interventions, as might be done with other health care professionals.

As with previous CoNNECT days, our aim is to bring together practitioners, educators, researchers, and those involved in supporting, developing, and providing chaplaincy and pastoral care across different contexts. The programme offers time to talk informally with others and to build connections across different chaplaincy contexts - to connect and learn from one another.

Taking in views from across those different perspectives, the day aims to investigate the knowledge, skills and behaviour that a chaplain might be expected to develop or inhabit, exploring where this is shared language and where there are differences. Our speakers for the day are:

Kate Bruce – Kate is a Chaplain in the Royal Air Force and currently an RAF Instructor at the Armed Forces. Chaplaincy Centre. Having read English and Religious Studies at the University of Leeds and taught English at secondary school in Yorkshire, she later trained for ordination, serving in Ripon and Durham. She obtained a PhD in homiletics in 2013 from the University of Durham, and Igniting the Heart is based on her thesis Kate has been chaplain to three of the Durham colleges, Van Mildert, Trevelyan and St John’s and has also been Tutor in Homiletics and Deputy Warden at Cranmer Hall, St John’s, of which she remains an Honorary Visiting Fellow. Kate has been instrumental in establishing the Durham Preaching Conferences, aimed at fostering and promoting good preaching, and she continues to lead other preaching workshops. In 2021 and 2024, Kate published, in two volumes with Liz Shercliff, Out of the Shadows: Preaching the Women of the Bible, exploring how women, often marginalised in biblical narratives, can be viewed anew and have their stories communicated better. Outside academia and ministry, Kate has written and performed in stand-up comedy and has appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Mark Evans - Mark started his working life as a staff nurse within surgical high dependency and ITU in NHS Lothian and has since worked in a variety of health and social care settings. For the past 20 years, he was Head of Spiritual Care and Bereavement Lead for NHS Fife. Mark was then appointed the National Lead and Professional Advisor for Spiritual Care within the Scottish Government. Recently Mark was appointed Head of Service for Spiritual Care & Bereavement Lead in NHS Lothian and continues as a Professional Advisor to the Scottish Government.

Andrew Parker - Since 2019, Andrew has served as Professor of Sports Ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge where he teaches and supervises students across the sports ministry/chaplaincy spectrum. Between 2008-2018 he was Professor of Sport and Christian Outreach at the University of Gloucestershire. Prior to this he was Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Warwick (1999-2008) where he completed his PhD (1992-1997). Alongside his duties at Ridley, Andrew is currently Honorary Professor in the Department of Health at the University of Bath, and Visiting Professor in the College of Business and Law at the University of the West of England (UWE). With over 200 published articles, working papers and commissioned reports to his name (including 12 co/edited books), he is an established international scholar whose work is accessible to a wide audience. Andrew’s research interests centre around sports ministry and chaplaincy, and sport and marginalised youth.

With our tongues somewhat in cheek, part of the day will ask whether the ability to make a cup of tea/coffee is an essential chaplaincy skill. As part of that, we’d love to have several short stories as part of the day where the offering of a cuppa led to the deepening of a pastoral care opportunity. Please let us know if you’ve such a story you’d like to share.

The day will run from 10:00 for gathering and conversations with the first session at 10:45. The day will finish by 16:30.

The day will cost £50, reduced to £35 for FCG members. Please contact Thandar at thandar.tun@freechurches.org.uk for a discount code, including your name, position, and denomination.

Interview Coaching for Chaplaincy Posts Webinar

11th November 2026, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Boost your confidence and sharpen your chaplaincy interview skills with expert tips and real‑world examples.

Although selection processes often involve more than just a panel interview, an interview is still a critical part of the process. How you do at the interview will significantly impact your chances of being offered a job. Good interview preparation reduces the inevitable nerves and anxiety associated with interviews, meaning that you can present yourself in a confident, self-assured and articulate way. Drawing on their experience of interviewing, this interactive webinar will offer a range of tips and skills to help enhance your interview performance, including:

• Structuring answers well and using language that resonates with your audience.

• Developing good examples to answer scenario-based questions.

• Preparing insightful questions to ask yourself.

Register your place below. The ticket price is £20 for non-FCG members and free for FCG members. For the discount code, please contact Thandar here.

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay.

CoNNECT III: How to Train Your Chaplain, 4th March 2027

Please hold the date for CoNNECT III: How to Train Your Chaplain.

Date: 4th March 2027

Expert pastoral, spiritual and religious care requires ways of being that are difficult to define. The use of self and need for professional formation, including deep reflection and personal exploration, make it hard to break a chaplain’s work down into a series of capabilities.

As with previous CoNNECT days, our aim is to bring together practitioners, educators, researchers, and those involved in supporting, developing, and providing chaplaincy and pastoral care across different contexts. Taking in views from across those different perspectives, the day aims to investigate the knowledge, skills and behaviour that a chaplain might be expected to develop or inhabit, exploring where this is shared language and where there are differences.

With our tongues somewhat in cheek, part of the day will ask whether the ability to make a cup of tea/coffee is an essential chaplaincy skill. As part of that, we’d love to have several short stories as part of the day where the offering of a cuppa led to the deepening of a pastoral care opportunity. Please let us know if you’ve such a story you’d like to share.

Rootedness, Support, and Nourishment

Reflections on Chaplaincy by Caroline Stott, President, Congregational Federation

Caroline’s artistic skills were put to good use in this self-portrait

Foundations of Wise Chaplaincy

Essentials for wise chaplaincy—such as compassion, hope, and reverence for human dignity—require deep roots and ongoing nourishment. David Ford (CHCC conference 2016)

These qualities form the bedrock of chaplaincy, shaping the way we engage with those in our care and reminding us of the profound responsibility we hold.

Reflections on Chaplaincy Work

As you may already know, my ministry is as a healthcare chaplain at Royal Devon University Hospital. I feel it is important to share some reflections on chaplaincy, especially considering that many within the Federation serve as chaplains, often quietly and without much recognition. I have placed David Ford’s thought at the start of this piece because it prompts me to question whether we chaplains are as deeply rooted as we ought to be.

Chaplaincy Practice in Healthcare

Healthcare chaplains typically visit patients who have requested a visit or who have been referred by the ward or their church. In my role, I am the lead chaplain for learning difficulties and participate in a weekly multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting with the palliative care team. I am also involved in a project initiated at Royal Devon University Hospital, which aspires to become an academic paper in the future. This project involves trialling wellbeing visits for every patient who has been in hospital for over 21 days. As a result, patients who might never have asked to see a chaplain are discovering the benefits of such visits—finding support and attentive listening from a staff member not involved in their medical care.

Experiencing God’s Guidance

Wednesdays, though unpredictable, have become a time and place where I feel truly engaged in God’s work throughout the day. I dedicate the day to the Lord, asking Him to lead me to those who need my presence and to provide the words I should say. Each time I go to the hospital, I am amazed by how God works through me in these encounters.

Support and Challenges in Chaplaincy

I consider myself fortunate to work with a team of chaplains who are incredibly supportive. Understandably, some of the situations we are called to support can be both traumatic and tragic. Our office often serves as a space to unwind and leave the weight of the day behind.

In conversations with other chaplains in the Federation, I have come to realise how fortunate I am to have the backing of a supportive team. Others may not have this support or may find it difficult to share certain experiences in their workplaces.

Reflecting on Rootedness and Nourishment

I have been reflecting on the quote at the beginning of this article, considering my own rootedness. While I am firmly grounded within my team, I wonder whether I have that same depth of rootedness within a church family. Over the past year, much of my time has been spent travelling to different churches Preaching and leading Messy Church sessions. I have not had the opportunity to settle with a church family, to sit, listen, and worship, or to experience that continuous nourishment. I suspect that many of us, who spend most Sundays preaching and balancing chaplaincy with church responsibilities, may also struggle to find time for regular spiritual nourishment.

Building Connections Among Chaplains

Perhaps, as chaplains, we could consider meeting together in the coming year to connect and support one another. We might organise a time of worship and sharing—perhaps via Zoom or at the assembly. It would not require a significant commitment, but simply knowing who we are would enable us to provide mutual support.

Blessings to you all.

Rev Caroline Stott

My email is [revcstott@gmail.com], and I am on the phone on 07966 071514. Please contact me, tell me your story.

This article is republished from Refresh magazine of the Congregational Federation, approved by Rev. Caroline Stott.

A chance to join the CoNNECT II online, 12th March 2026

CoNNECT II

Exploring Story: Chaplaincy - Reflection - Research

12th March 2026 · 10:30am - 4:30pm, Lumen United Reformed Church & Community Centre URC, 88 Tavistock Place London WC1H 9RS

Join us for an inspiring opportunity to connect and network, focusing on the power of case studies. Building on the success of the first CoNNECT day, we invite practitioners, educators, researchers, and all those dedicated to advancing chaplaincy and pastoral care in diverse settings. This day is designed for anyone eager to deepen their understanding of chaplaincy, enhance practices across various contexts, and empower chaplains through collaborative research. Visit here for more information and registration.  

A chance to join the CoNNECT II online

In addition to the general admission tickets, we have now set up an online-only ticket at £6. You can visit here for more information and registration.