The national team would love to attend every commissioning service that takes place for the network, but as Anna Chaplaincy is spreading so rapidly across the UK, that’s not always viable! Fortunately, Ministry Lead Debbie Ducille was delighted to attend a recent commissioning service on Sunday September 29 in West Malvern.
A small ecumenical team is developing in the town offering care home ministry and Messy Vintage. Anne Bowers, our first Elim Anna Chaplain and Anna Friend Margaret Allsopp were present to celebrate the commissioning of Anna Chaplain Eileen Tomlin and Anna Friend Valerie Willcox. Here are their reflections on their journey, starting with Valerie:
'Through my life, first as a nurse, and after retirement volunteering at a Community Centre for seniors and at a dementia friendly cafe at my local church, I experienced a growing awareness of the need for spiritual care and support as well as all the practical and health issues relating to life in older age. Everyone desires to be seen as a valued, unique individual as they deal with the difficult questions, but also to share the joys and blessings of their lives.
I reached the stage in life when it seemed sensible to stop living in a house with three floors and move to level living near family! Arriving at my new home, in a new area, I simply said - I am here - please show me the way forward.'
'Within a very short time at my new parish church an Anna Chaplain took the service, preached and described this ministry’s vision. I had not heard of Anna Chaplaincy before but knew this was an answer. I could volunteer to train to become an Anna Friend to support my local Anna Chaplain in her work, for example at care home services and Messy Vintage Church services to draw alongside others on our journey in life.'
Valerie Willcox
'For some years,' writes Eileen, 'I have visited older friends, neighbours and church members at home and in care homes, and in 1999 I became a Communion Assistant, and started taking Home Communion to those who could no longer attend church. I went on to take services in care homes, often including Communion, and since I became a Licenced Lay Minister (Reader) in 2005, my main ministry has been in pastoral care.'
'I enjoy chatting and listening to people, finding out about their life stories and experiences, learning about their families, and offering encouragement when life is challenging.'
'Both in homes and in the community so many older people find themselves very lonely and no-one is able to spend time with them, listening and helping them to think about their spiritual lives in the widest sense. I am sometimes asked to pray with someone who is unwell, nearing the end of life, or facing a personal tragedy. Priests have special roles, but some people are not particularly ‘religious’ but feel comfortable talking to someone familiar.'
'When I learned about Anna Chaplaincy, I felt that my ministry matches that of an Anna Chaplain, and that connecting with them would bring me into a supportive network, sharing ideas, advice, hopes and joys.'
In 2018 I attended a Gathering for Anna Chaplains at Swanwick, in Derbyshire, which I found very inspiring, offering the opportunity to learn more about this ministry, coming away full of enthusiasm.
I have continued with my ministry, working with another Anna Chaplain to develop services in various care homes, and starting Messy Vintage in one of the churches. We have received a lot of support from the Vicar, the Revd Becky Elliott and the churchwardens and finally, on September 29, our Area Dean, the Revd Gary Crellin, and Debbie Ducille (Anna Chaplaincy Ministry Lead) came to commission me as an Anna Chaplain - along with Valerie as an Anna Friend at St James Church, West Malvern - to work across the Malvern deanery.
Eileen Tomlin
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