Lincolnshire's two new Anna Chaplains

Sue Frecklington and Odette Millar with their certificates, alongside the Bishop of Grimsby, the Right Revd Dr David Court, and Rural Deans, the Revds Adam Watson (first left) and Jess Bellshaw (far right).

Two new Anna Chaplains have been commissioned at a service in Lincoln Cathedral - Odette Millar and Sue Frecklington. Sue wrote to tell us about her personal Anna Chaplaincy journey and with news of the service:

'As a Lay Minister I was already visiting our housebound and a care home, taking them Communion, had ministered to those in end-of-life care, and had even been asked to take part in funeral services. I thought this was enough, but what followed was a series of what I call 'God-incidences'! 

While at an ALM (Authorised Lay Ministers) meeting at the Cathedral, I received a message that a good friend and one of our congregation had been put into end-of-life care at the home, with the request that I go and give Communion and say prayers. Of course I said yes, but was rather daunted. However, while waiting for my lift, the Bishop of Grantham, Bishop Nicholas, walked by and stopped to ask if I was OK, so I asked his advice. I did as he suggested, and the time I spent with Jane and her family was a blessing to all of us. 

Within days, the newsletter from the diocese had an article on Anna Chaplaincy, which at the time I had never heard of! So after prayer and some research, I contacted our rural Dean (we are in vacancy), all ready to explain what Anna Chaplaincy was, only to discover he knew all about it and had worked with its founder earlier in his own ministry! Finally, when I applied for training on a course, I found one was starting within weeks and there was space left on it! 

So here I now am, already answering a request for Communion from another care home, and sadly visiting Jane's husband Bill, facing imminent death himself in the same home where she died. God certainly has His hand on me!'

The commissioning service for myself and Odette Millar took place in the retro choir of Lincoln Cathedral, (with the famous Lincoln Imp looking down on us!) and it was very moving, especially the commissioning prayer which Bishop David (the Bishop of Grimsby) prayed over us each individually: 

Commissioning Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Send down your Holy Spirit on your servant ….. whom you have called to this ministry.

Help her to listen patiently, respond wisely, and pray faithfully.

Give her courage to speak up for those whose voice may not otherwise be heard.

May her hands be ready to do your work.

May her eyes be open to recognise those in need.

May her ears hear soft spoken words of pain or sorrow.

May her voice speak of healing and peace.

May her feet walk the extra mile with those who falter,

And may she always be aware of your presence guiding her

and your loving protection around her in all that she does.

Amen

Debbie Thrower adds a postscript: 'I am so pleased to see Odette and Sue commissioned in the county. Alex Burn and I first took news of Anna Chaplaincy to an event in the Cathedral Close in Lincoln back in March 2015!'

'It's also a lovely surprise to see the Revd Adam Watson photographed in the group and to hear of his part in Sue's story. Adam was, indeed, a young curate in Alton, Hampshire, when I was the first ever Anna Chaplain there in the early 2010s.

Adam and I have bumped into one another several times since and he has always kept track of how Anna Chaplaincy is developing. It is a special delight that this way of supporting older people has now taken root in his own corner of Lincolnshire partly thanks to him and in large part to the Holy Spirit!'

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