A profound sense of calling for Val as she becomes an Anna Chaplain
- debbiethrower0
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
We're delighted to report that Val Molloy was commissioned as an Anna Chaplain on Sunday September 7 in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire. The Revd Marie Lucchetta-Redmond, Anna Chaplaincy Coordinator for Ely Diocese, says, “ What a gift Val is to Ramsey! And what a joy it was to preach on that Sunday and to celebrate with Joe, her incumbent!”
Val has written some reflections for us on her Anna Chaplaincy training:
'This has been an exciting few weeks, exploring and discerning my calling to a ministry with older people. Through a Zoom course, we got to know each other over the six weeks; a WhatsApp group was set up by one of the group and we have stayed in touch since, exchanging ideas and news of what has been happening to us in our ministries.
We were shown that the primary task of the Anna Chaplain is to listen – “Don’t just DO something, SIT THERE”! This gives the older people the space to reflect on their life and purpose, to reminisce, and to tell their story as many do not have anyone else to listen to it. These people are generally in their ‘4th age’, sometimes living alone, sometimes in sheltered accommodation or care homes. Some are forgotten, some have dementia, but it was explained that though cognitive function and mobility may be diminishing, the spirit continues to grow until God takes them.
We thought about the changes this group of people face – hearing and sight loss, having to give up driving and maybe their home, lack of mobility, a diminishing friendship group, and cognitive function; it was easy to see how all these changes lead to loneliness and loss of control in their life.
Anna Chaplaincy is very much a people-centred approach; meeting people where they are at, and building relationships and trust with them so that in time deeper issues can be discussed.
Those with faith are found to be more resilient as they age, than those without, hence the importance of a continuing link with their church, especially if one is unable to attend services.
It is not there to provide practical support as such, though on occasions this may be necessary as a “one-off”. We were given several short stories of real people and asked to identify what gave meaning to each, and what their spiritual needs were. As those of us who attended the session on Spirituality found, it’s very hard to define spirituality, but we learnt it can be:
· Things that give a person meaning and purpose
· Religious beliefs
· What gives a sense of belonging, love and respect
· Things that give a person peace, positivity and hope
· Appreciating nature
· Thinking about death and resolutions
It’s how a person experiences connectedness with self, others and nature.
The last session focussed on ministry with older people in our own area, finding out what is already going on and what gaps may need to be plugged. However, self care and setting boundaries, ensuring supervision and spiritual direction, was also emphasised, and most of all ensuring we stay close to God – its not OUR ministry, it’s HIS!
As the weeks went on reading, learning, discussing, reflecting and praying, I became more and more sure this was work I was being called to do.'
Val's incumbent is the Revd Joseph Magill, Rector of Ramsey. The town of Ramsey owes its existence to the foundation of Ramsey Abbey, which was established on an island in the middle of marshland around AD 969.
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