NEWS
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
Eurodiaconia, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the Deaconess Foundation Joint Statement
THE CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE AND ADDED VALUE OF CHURCHES AND FAITH-BASED ACTORS IN DEVELOPING THE ECONOMY OF WELLBEING
Eurodiaconia and its Finnish members, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the Deaconess Foundation, warmly welcome the strong commitment to the economy of wellbeing by the Finnish EU Presidency, including the EPSCO Council Conclusions of 24 October 2019.
Putting the wellbeing of people and the planet at the centre of all policy and decision making is vitally important in many aspects. First, it is in line with the raison d’être and the fundamental values of the European Union. The EU must ensure the wellbeing of its citizens. Secondly, a more coherent approach to linking social policies with economic policies and sustainable development is likely to lead to better competitiveness and economic developments within the EU; a strong focus on social policy is good for the economy and vice versa. And thirdly, the economy of wellbeing is likely to increase legitimacy and the feeling of trust in the EU, thus bringing the EU closer to its citizens.
We especially welcome the cross-sectoral, horizontal approach, which is truly needed in order to include an economy of wellbeing perspective into all EU policies. We also appreciate the focus on implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights as a compass for renewed upward convergence towards better working and living conditions for European citizens.
The thematic policy areas mentioned in the Council Conclusions – such as combating poverty and social exclusion, adapting to the changing world of work, promoting gender equality and developing adequate and sustainable social protection systems and access to health services for all, are indeed vital for enhancing the wellbeing of people. In all these policy areas, particular attention should be paid to the most vulnerable in our societies.
As Churches and faith-based actors, we have plenty of experience, especially through our diaconal work, of working with people experiencing poverty, social exclusion, unemployment, homelessness and discrimination. We know, from our diaconal work at the grass-root level, the importance of promoting accessible social and health care services for all and of enhancing participation and equality. Our mission is to coherently defend and protect our common European values, such as respect for human rights and human dignity, equality, justice, solidarity and rule of law. Our faith also calls us to care for creation and work for a sustainable, climate neutral Europe. We also have vast networks at all levels – from local and regional to national, European and global. One best practice example - amongst many others in Eurodiaconia’s membership - is the project “VAMOS for Young Asylum Seekers” run by the Deaconess Foundation.
The VAMOS project develops a new rehabilitative service for activation of young asylum seekers and is targeted for 16 to 29-year-olds who are waiting for their residence permit decision in Helsinki, Vantaa and Espoo. The activities are addressed to young asylum seekers, who have passed the age of compulsory education and are at risk of becoming idle. Therefore, beneficiaries take part in psycho-educative group activities, are encouraged to start new hobbies and have opportunities to make friends with people of Finnish background. This project also represents one of the best examples of integrated funding approach among Eurodiaconia membership, being successfully funded by both the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Asylum, Migration & Integration Fund (AMIF).
However, the revolutionary and ambitious aims of developing the economy of wellbeing and the specific targets of the Council Conclusions need to be implemented into practice within all policy areas of both the EU and its Member States. Here, we totally agree with all the detailed proposals of the Council Conclusions re. further actions to be taken by the European Commission and the Member States. Here, developing a new long-term, post2020 strategy in line with the spirit of the economy of wellbeing, the European Pillar of Social Rights and the UN Agenda 2030 is of specific importance.
In developing the economy of wellbeing and reaching the aims mentioned in the Council Conclusions, there is an important role to play also for the civil society. As Churches and faith-based actors, we are committed to working together with both the EU institutions, our ecumenical partners and other organisations at all levels, in order to enhance the wellbeing of both people, our societies and the planet.
Our aim is to bring forward the message of hope – especially to young people, to promote human rights and human dignity, participation and inclusion. We welcome the economy of wellbeing approach as an important and comprehensive tool in enhancing social, economic and ecological justice for all, and are committed to collaborating and dialoguing at all levels in order to put the wellbeing of people and the planet at the heart of European policies in the years to come.
This statement is available to download here.
The General Election and Education: some things to consider
There are many things for Christians to think about as we approach a General Election. One area the Free Churches have long been concerned about is education. We were pioneers in areas like teacher education and creating wider access to higher education and still have an active interest. The Free Church Education Committee (FCEC) has a deep interest in schools and has done particular work on further and higher education over recent years. Visit the Education section of the Free Churches Group website and follow the links to learn about that work and see the documents the committee has produced.
You can read the full FCG FCEC summary and source document for the
General Election and Education HERE.
We have written two further papers - one on schools and further education (FE)[in England} and one on universities, which set out more of our thinking relevant to the Election:
We encourage all who can to pray for those involved in education at all levels, and to engage with what the political parties and individual candidates are saying about education in the run up to the General Election. To help with that, we have produced the following headline points. They arise from our work and express some hopes, aspirations and visions for education, arising from Christian understandings, and which we believe will benefit individuals and communities. We hold a vision for education which is:
1. Holistic. It is about fullness of life for all, the development of the whole person, helping each to reach their God-given potential. So we seek education which embraces a broad and balanced curriculum, covering the vocational and academic, the artistic, cultural and spiritual, which deals with questions of morality and which enables the development of skills for work and living.
2. About the good of the whole community. Our thinking is inspired by the Kingdom teaching of Jesus; the seeking of a world of justice and peace where all can flourish. Education seeking such will be about the economic; it will also, and equally, be about such things as citizenship, social inclusion, community cohesion and helping students engage with the big (and not so big!) issues society faces.
3. For all. All are made in the image of God and so of inestimable value, whatever their age, ethnicity, social or economic background. Constant effort is needed to ensure that those from lower socio-economic groups and minority ethnic groups are not disadvantaged. That means policies, plans and resources to help pre-school services, schools, colleges and universities to enable all to flourish and become all they can be.
4. Not just about the economic! There is a huge stress at present on education serving the economy, preparing people for work. That matters; work is one way we seek to advance our individual and common life. Ultimately, however, an education system over-dominated by economic criteria will fail students and society, for human living is about far more than the economic. It is about beauty, truth, what is (or might be) good, about faith and hope and reaching out throughout life for a future better than the present. A question might be: does what is being offered in this school, college, university, and the policy framework within which they operate, encourage us to look up and dream?
5. Held to account in clear and appropriate ways. As it is about the good of society, and the common nurturing of the young, society has an interest in what happens in education. How that accountability happens needs to be through clear systems and structures which reflect the concerns we express here, the legitimate interests of many different stakeholders and taking seriously things central to education, such as academic freedom. That is true of governance, assessments, and all mechanisms through which the various sectors in education are monitored and inspected.
6. Which advances religious understanding. Religion is a hugely important force in the world and, we believe, a profound source of wisdom for living. Not all will hold the latter; the former is difficult to refute. It is therefore important that students at all levels have the opportunity to access high quality teaching about the world religions, and, indeed, about non-religious world views, that knowledge and understanding might grow.
These points arise from our own work on education. We put them together here whilst Party Manifestos are being launched. Readers might like to use what is here as they consider what the Parties and candidates say about education, and use them as they form their own views, and in posing questions to candidates.
On behalf of the Free Church Education Committee & Free Churches Group
Other useful links from JPIT and CTBI:
...which offer further information about other issues connected with the election, prayer suggestions and information about holding hustings.
(photo courtesy of Plush Design Studio @ Unsplash)
An Advent gift from Barnabas in Schools
Many of you will be working with children’s groups in churches, schools and across your communities over the Advent and Christmas period. There are lots of resources available online and in other publications.
One resource that you may be interested in using and sharing with your children’s groups has just been published by Barnabas in Schools .
They have produced a series of films about the preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, anticipating the celebration of his birth in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. You can watch and share these HERE.
The Barnabas in Schools Prayer
Jesus, you chose a child as a model for adult maturity and of God’s presence among us. Thank you for our schools with their teachers and children. Together may they create: safe places for lives to flourish; happy places for wonder and discovery; hopeful places of peace and healing; stimulating places of learning and laughter; places where everyone feels valued and respected; places that offer security and stability to all; places where both old and young can find purpose and direction in life. Amen
(photo courtesy of Debby Hudson @ Unsplash)
Join us as we pray today... having courage and being fearless!
Inspired by passages from Philippians and Joshua, today we are joining churches, schools and communities across Europe to pray for schools….
‘Shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.’ (The Message, Phil. 4:7)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (NIV, Joshua 1:9)
The Free Churches Group have a fruitful and prayerful working relationship with the Pray for Schools network. Here are this year’s Pray Day for Schools resources for you to share and pray with, in your homes, house groups, churches and communities.
(Pray Day is the third Tuesday of November every year when schools across Europe and around the world are the focus of prayer. This year it will be held on Tuesday 19th November 2019, with schools, churches and communities across the UK taking part.)
(photo courtesy of Sammie Vasquez at Unsplash)