Another ‘first’ for Anna Chaplaincy – a warm welcome to Judith, our first Scottish Episcopal Church Anna Chaplain

A  very happy occasion took place in Holy Trinity, Haddington on 4 February 2024. Not only was Candlemas celebrated but also the commissioning of me, Judith Wilkinson, as Anna Chaplain to Haddington. I am only the second Anna Chaplain in Scotland and the very first within the Scottish Episcopal Church! Here are some photos:

Left to right: the Revd Liz O’Ryan, rector of Holy Trinity Church, Haddington, Anna Chaplain Judith Wilkinson and Canon John Lindsay.

I first learned about Anna Chaplaincy at a workshop. I was intrigued! As I had by that time been a workplace chaplain for ten years , and I still am, and had for more than 30 years been part of a pastoral care team within Holy Trinity, I was interested in pursuing a similar role within the local community.

I have been the Anna Chaplain to a care home in Haddington for the last two months and I’m delighted to say that I’ve been wholeheartedly welcomed and accepted by both the residents and the staff. I make two visits per week and I have so far held a service of Holy Communion, at which 13 residents joined me, been called upon by one family to pray with a dying resident and last week, having been asked by the staff, I held a memorial service for a gentleman who had died four weeks previously who didn’t have a family funeral. He and his wife lived in the care home, so this service was to allow her to say goodbye to her husband of 74 years. I was delighted that 26 people attended, including all the carers. It was so worthwhile.

I have been able to engage with many residents who have shared their personal and spiritual history with me and I like to think that I have brought a little joy to their lives. God bless them all.

Debbie Ducille adds:

‘We are so pleased to welcome you as part of the network, Judith, and hope that you inspire others in the Episcopal church to follow suit. Your news update and appointment were definitely worth the wait!’