A poem sums up the essence of Anna Chaplaincy

Anna Chaplain Val Carter

Val Carter is an Anna Chaplain in the Methodist Chelmsford Circuit.  She wrote her poem by way of a report to her Church Council and Methodist Circuit this month. We think the poem really encapsulates the essence of the ministry. Many Anna Chaplains will relate to her words! 

Val was commissioned as a volunteer chaplain three years ago in South Woodham Ferrers, near Chelmsford, Essex, and says that,

'Anna Chaplaincy is the most amazing way to share the love of God, the message of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit.'

Now at the point where she is well over half way through her five year 'stint', as an Anna Chaplain, she is urging her supporters to consider next steps. She has kindly given permission for us to publish her words:

'I visit care homes and join in a sing-along,

I talk with a manager stressed by staff sickness,

I join a relative’s meeting and hear about guilt,

and sometimes I just wash up the cups.

I share a monthly church service in homes,

I am supported by a faithful team,

I say prayers by the bedside of the dying,

and sometimes I just hold hands.

I hear the struggles of poorly paid carers,

and listen to a woman whose violent partner is out of prison,

there are staff whose children have special needs,

and sometimes I offer a hug.

I sit in the coffee shop in the afternoon,

I chat to passers-by and staff.

They ask, “Why do you have a tablecloth?”

and sometimes “Can I sit with you?”

Three times bereaved spouses have come to the table,

in tears and confusion and loneliness.

“I have to be strong for the family…”

“But sometimes I just need to cry.”

“What is there after this life?”

“What do Methodist’s believe about…”

“I’m a racist, is that so bad?”

Lots of questions and sometimes I don’t have an answer.

I have a tablecloth so people can find me,

I am present so folks can find God in the everyday,

I make visible the unseen and sidelined,

and sometimes I just sit and pray.

I visit the lost and the lonely,

I talk with the “difficult” ones,

about life at the end of the journey

and sometimes forgiveness comes.

I work with dementia trainers for staff

relatives, carers and pastoral visitors.

I hear things that can help, and the things that are hard

And sometimes I just make the tea.'

Sometimes, Val continues, she asks herself 'what is next in this amazing ministry?' Will she, for instance, be passing on the baton to new workers? Who knows...? As she said in her report: 'Well, there you have a snapshot of my days – the hours have increased from 7 to 15 a week (on the same pay – £0):

' And I love every moment. Those who accompany me to the residential homes will attest to the moments when God’s presence is tangible and we meet with the true spark of humanity within the shell of frailty and dementia.'

'I hope that you will feel able to continue supporting this ministry during the next year when we must discern the way God wants us to go.'

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