Jason explains why Anna Chaplaincy is 'vital'

We're delighted to hear news of the Revd Jason Kennedy's commissioning as Anna Chaplain within the city of Derby. He sent us these pictures and an account of the recent occasion (on Sunday May 31).

The Revd Jason Kennedy

'I have been ordained in the Church of England for over 27 years, working across a variety of churches and contexts in that time, including a nine-year stint as Diocesan Missioner in the Diocese of Derby.

For the last three and a half years, I have returned to local church ministry, working at St Peter’s Church Littleover and Blagreaves within the City of Derby. In that time, I’ve been increasingly involved in our work among older people in lots of ways – through our regular dementia-friendly services, our lunch club and our local care homes to name a few. I’ve grown to love that ministry, which although sometimes hard, is often joyful and always a privilege. After seeing Anna Chaplaincy at work elsewhere, a generous legacy allowed our church to appoint a half-time paid Anna Chaplain for up to five years, in order to establish, develop and support this ministry. I am delighted to have been commissioned into that role.

This ministry is vital. We have around 5,300 people in our parish over the age of 65, and over a quarter of them live alone. Anna Chaplaincy, through St Peter’s, will help the stories of those precious lives to be told, to help the tellers of those stories to find connection, value and community, and to create space for them to reflect on lives of significance and worth.

It will help us raise the profile of the those who are in their later years, not only by advocating for their needs but also in changing the narrative, so that those who are older aren’t simply seen as a burden, but a precious part of our community with lives still to live and much still to offer.

There will always be more we could do, but as we build a team of Anna Friends and work alongside the whole church, my prayer is that God can make a real difference to this sometimes-forgotten generation through us.

As an ex-missioner, it is a delight to be involved in work that is anchored in the church but based in the community; work that is centred on and shaped by the people for whom it exists. Anna Chaplaincy allows us to introduce others to the universal, ever-present love, compassion and grace of God in Christ in this community, whoever they are and whatever their background.

I am so privileged to have an opportunity to join the growing network of Anna Chaplains and to be supported so beautifully by the local church in which I serve. I am looking forward to seeing what God will do in and through Anna Chaplaincy here, and to see his Kingdom come.'

---