NEWS
Dying Matters 2020 - launch event on 22nd January
Dying Matters is led by Hospice UK and aims to raise awareness of dying, death and bereavement. They are hosting a launch event for the year’s activities on 22nd January in Birmingham. See HERE for further information and how to book your place.
Dying matters… End of Life care, for those who are dying, their relatives/carers and staff, is one of the core activities for healthcare chaplains. FCG hosted the round-table discussion concerning end of life care and they were very well received. Many chaplains will already be involved in Dying Matters weeks and it follows on well from the round tables.
"Talking about dying and death is the last taboo. People who are dying can feel very isolated,” reports Revd Meg Burton, the Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy for Free Churches. Meg goes on to say that…” Often, when people do want to talk, their relatives don't, because they find it too hard to accept that their loved one is dying. This Awareness Week is looking at dying from the dying person's perspective and will give ideas for people to help encourage conversations."
The Dying Matters Awareness Week will be from 11th to 17th of May this year and the theme will be: Dying to be Heard
Click HERE for further information and how to book your place on the launch event.
(photo courtesy of James Hose Jr at Unsplash)
Free Church Healthcare Chaplaincy News
Photo by Chris Sowder on Unsplash
Very soon I will be opening that box marked Nativity and placing once again the figures of Mary and Joseph, assorted Shepherds in the customary place on the sideboard. The Three Wise Men will journey around the sitting room dependant on the whim of the grandchildren until it is time for them to take their place.
As you all journey once more to Bethlehem through the season of Advent may you find those moments of peace and reflection that remind you of the nearness of the Christ Child, the acceptance of Mary and Joseph, the joy of the Shepherds and the perseverance of the Wise Men.
Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash
This communication marks a watershed for me as it will be my last as Secretary for Free Church Chaplaincy. I am to retire at the end of the year. The decision was easily made after a period of ill health (from which I am fully recovered). The time away from the office gave me some thinking space and a re-evaluation of what I want to do. I will be continuing my work on Modern Slavery, Polio Eradication and with Mercy Ships through Rotary International – opportunities that I look forward to!
Chaplaincy has changed over the last 14 years or so. When I joined the Free Churches Group the list of Chaplains was held in a ‘cardex system’, now it’s all electronic. Free Church Chaplains were often part time, but now there have been leaders of UKBHC and CHCC that have been from Free Church Denominations.
The NHS has also changed – but in many ways stayed the same! There is still not enough money, at times not enough beds (in the right place) and shortages of staff at all levels. The needs of patients have changed – with those in hospital presenting with complex needs, while the majority living with chronic conditions receive all their care in a community setting.
These changes (and similarities) have challenged the way chaplains work. The move from a Christian dominated service to one that can meet the needs of the hospital and local population is to be applauded – while there is some way to go, we are as a profession much clearer on the difference between Pastoral, Spiritual and Religious care, with the recognition that all – patients and staff, have pastoral and spiritual care needs, and some will express that need or want that care from a religious perspective.
The development of the Multi Faith Group into the Network for Pastoral, Spiritual and Religious Care in Health, with the inclusion of the None Religious Pastoral Care Network is a major milestone. Sit this alongside the UKBHC Voluntary Register for Health Care Chaplains and you can begin to appreciate how as a profession we are able to be more representative of our hospital and health care communities and well as setting the same bench marks as other healthcare professionals.
The Directors of the Free Churches Group meet later this month and it is hope that there will be an advert for my replacement in the New Year. In the meantime Meg Burton (meg.burton@freechurches.org.uk) will continue to be the contact as she will remain in post (on part time hours) until the end of March 2020.
And now a time to say, ‘thank you’.
Thank you all for what you do on a day to day basis in bringing support to patients and staff.
Thank you for all who have engaged with me over the years – be that in regional meetings, through the committees (MFGHC/ Network/ Forum/UKBHC/AHPCC etc) or the College of Health Care Chaplaincy.
Thank you to those who have served on the Free Churches Healthcare Chaplaincy Steering Committee, and for your support and encouragement.
May you continue to be blessed in the work that you do, secure in the knowledge that you are held in the love of God.
With every blessing,
Debbie Hodge
November 19th, 2019
Revd Debbie Hodge is set to retire from FCG at end of the year
Revd Debbie Hodge will retire at the end of 2019. Debbie has held the post of Secretary for Health Care Chaplaincy, Free Churches, since February 2005 and has been part of the many changes in Chaplaincy over almost 15 years. Her work across ecumenical and faith boundaries has been appreciated by many and she will be missed, particularly by colleagues at the Free Churches Group.
A farewell party to celebrate Revd Debbie Hodge's service to the Free Churches Group will take place at Free Church House on Monday 13 January 2020 at 15:30.
Please save the date and look out for more information.
Our mental health conference - a snapshot of the day!
The Free Churches Group hosted a one day conference on 23rd October. It was a well attended event with delegates coming from across England and Wales, from a range of different vocations, backgrounds and denominations.
We were hosted kindly by the Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church and had a excellent range of speakers in the morning. They helped us to think about the church and mental health; this was followed by panel discussions to explore the issues raised in greater detail.
In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to explore ways to care for ourselves and how to develop models of reflective practice. The day was surrounded in prayer and fellowship and gave us an excellent opportunity to learn and grow in this complex and interesting area of our ministries.
The programme and information are attached for your further reference and if you would like to know more about any of the contributions made on the day or how your church might learn more about this vital work, then let us know.
You may be interested too in the forthcoming Healthcare Chaplaincy Study day coming up on 7th November. For further info, look here.
Mental health conference next Wednesday - still time to book your place!
Mental health matters and it affects many of us and many of those we support in our communities and ministries…
We are hosting a day conference next week for Christian leaders, chaplains, student workers and anyone interested in looking after their own mental health and that of others. This will be held at Bloomsbury Baptist Church, London on Wednesday 23rd October.
Lots of varied conference content and the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics… Theological input, panel discussions and a choice of workshops including exploring mental health first aid, supporting those in study, and worship and dementia.
The conference costs are £25 per person and you can find out more information and book your place here.
Come along and be inspired… learn together…
Develop skills and share good practice in this important area of ministry
For information contact sarah.lane.cawte@freechurches.org.uk
Tickets provided through Eventbrite
(photo courtesy of Grant Durr at Unsplash)