Anna Chaplain commissioned in East Riding of Yorkshire

Anna Chaplain Liz Stothard-Chew with the Revd Anne White, Associate Minister.

On Sunday March 1, at All Saints Church, Nafferton, Yorkshire, Liz Stothard-Chew was commissioned by the Revd Anne White, on behalf of the Diocese of York, to become an Anna Chaplain. 

'It was very personal and lovely to share with my church family. I felt my calling had been answered. God really has a plan for us all.' 

Anna Chaplains are part of the Anna Chaplaincy network and their ministry is with older members of the community and their families and carers, said Liz. 'I feel Anna Chaplaincy is the church's gift to the community.'

'I am here to support people spiritually through their later years. People of strong, little or no faith. I visit people in care homes and in their own homes.  My commissioning today has been God’s answer to my calling which I have had since retiring from being a ward sister on an acute assessment ward for older people with mental health needs. Spiritual Care is so often overlooked and yet so important to many.' 

The congregation heard how the Anna Chaplains’ work is unique to each place and is not just for older people. Older people have families whom they care about and who also care about them. Many in the community, likewise, are looking out for older people and feel they have a stake in their wellbeing.

'I feel passionate about my ministry, the work I do. Anna is a quiet chaplaincy. There is a lot of joy in Anna Chaplaincy but sometimes all you can do is listen, pray and cry with someone. All of which is an honour and a blessing.' 

It was emphasised that Anna Chaplains are sent by their local church and are commissioned with a licence agreement in place with BRF Ministries, the home of Anna Chaplaincy. 

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