Debbie's UK tour continues... to Lincoln
- debbiethrower0
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
On Saturday March 22, Lincoln Cathedral hosted a wonderful event, organised by the diocese and the Methodist district, entitled a ‘Festival of Chaplaincy’. It really lived up to its name, with more than 20 forms of chaplaincy represented, plus workshops, music of all kinds and approaching 3,000 visitors entering the cathedral and enjoying the festival overall.
Ministry Lead Debbie Ducille joined the local Anna Chaplains’ network from across Lincolnshire to host a marketplace presence in the nave, as well as offering a creative activity of planting gladioli bulbs with visitors.
Debbie and Anna Chaplain Odette welcomed visitors of all ages to look at the bulbs, reflecting that what might no longer appear to be of value or beauty holds a wealth of life and transformation inside! ‘They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green’. (Psalm 92)
Visitors then planted a bulb in a compostable cup and were able to take their gift home, with growing instructions and a link to the Anna Chaplaincy website.
‘It was a real pleasure to meet so many interested visitors, and the local network were brilliant: it was lovely to spend the day with them all,’ said Debbie. ‘Giving up their free time and spending their day, speaking without a break with dozens of visitors to our stall, was so appreciated. As always, the best advert for Anna Chaplaincy are the chaplains themselves, and the team hosting our stall and activities were no exception.’
In addition to speaking with enthusiasm and passion about their ministry, the five Lincolnshire Anna Chaplains brought a range of creative skills with them too: Sue is pictured here holding a beautiful ‘memory quilt’ she has made. The idea is that these can be created using fabrics, images and tactile objects that have meaning to individuals experiencing memory loss, or living with dementia. What a wonderful gift they would make!
'This one was really beautiful, and was displayed on our stall receiving much admiration,' added Debbie.
Odette offered a lovely gift to visitors too. 'As well as helping with bulb-planting, she seemed to ‘magic’ a beautiful origami butterfly out of nowhere! This image of new life was so fitting alongside the gift of the bulbs to take away.'
'Kate’s great contribution to the day was through her networking skills,' Debbie observed. There were lots of groups and individuals representing the Methodist District in attendance, and Kate was able to connect (or re-connect) me with folk, as well as offering a reflection on her ministry to the Comms team present from London.
Anna Chaplain Revd Sandy Gould, similarly, was well-connected to others present in the cathedral that day as a hospice chaplain, and Helen - as the longest-serving Anna Chaplain in Lincoln - was able to share a wide range of information and experience with visitors.
We are so grateful too, for the ongoing support and encouragement of Sarah Spencer and Revd Lynne Smith, who coordinate the local network and enable the discernment and application process.
Debbie’s final reflections on a busy, but fulfilling day:
‘I thought that there was a lovely atmosphere in the cathedral throughout, and we had lots of genuine interest and conversation with visitors, as all the organisations did. It was great to make connections across chaplaincies and with ministry across different geographical areas.
I also enjoyed the pause for prayer that is part of the cathedral’s rhythm, and felt this was respected by all present. It was certainly worthwhile for us to be there, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity: if the Festival were to be offered again, I hope that we could offer a workshop, to explain this ministry model in more detail.’
The star of the show, however, in Debbie’s opinion, was the Table for the Nation: visitors really responded warmly to it, and enjoyed it as something to engage with in a practical way, as well as visually. 'What an extraordinary centrepiece it made, to a special day, centred upon the service and hospitality of chaplains.'
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