Debbie Ducille's reflection on 'the speed of love' on our life's journey
- debbiethrower0
- Apr 4
- 2 min read
Debbie Ducille recently offered a Lenten reflection online, as part of the week-long morning offering, organised by Irish Chaplaincy. Debbie focused on the theme of journeys, and the resonance this has with the ministry of a chaplain. https://static.wixstatic.com/mp3/16c83d_5f1a2352c8e443c08aaa9a07258108b4.m4a
Debbie referenced this book: Kosuke Koyama, Three Mile an Hour God (SCM Press, 2021) and quoted the following:
‘Love has its speed. It is a spiritual speed. It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed. It goes on in the depth of our life, whether we notice or not, at three miles an hour. It is the speed we walk and therefore the speed the love of God walks.'
She also referenced the Methodist Connexion website and a PDF document, (which mentions Ana Chaplaincy and includes a link to more information) details seven qualities of a chaplain:
Chaplains are pastors: they need to be able to listen with care and attention, empathise, understand, maintain confidentiality, and seek to be available to those in need.
Chaplains are interpreters: they try to identify, understand and share in issues affecting the culture of a particular context and what God is doing there and to help the people there to understand God. This means winning the right to be heard and sometimes being in the role of critical friend, mediator, reconciler, speaking truth to power.
Chaplains are ambassadors: they represent the Church, and they also report back to the Church about the new insights they have gained.
Chaplains are pray-ers: they pray for the places where they work and when it is appropriate they pray with the people who are there sometimes creating new forms of worship for their context.
Chaplains are midwives: enabling the birth of awareness of God in the place where they serve.
Chaplains are connectors: they connect their faith with their context by being chaplains to all and demonstrate gospel values such as compassion and concern for social justice.
Chaplains are guests in the contexts they serve, but often work by acting as hosts crossing bridges to provide hospitality, welcome and interaction with others.
The beautiful song featured is a traditional Irish blessing, arranged by Elaine Hagenberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNCj2KW-JFk
Sincere thanks to Paul Raymond and all at Irish Chaplaincy for coordinating the week-long opportunity to reflect and pray with others.
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