At the beginning of March, Anna Chaplaincy ministry lead Debbie Ducille had the pleasure of joining clergy and licensed lay ministers in the diocese of Ely for their Bishop’s Study Day. She was invited to speak about ‘Chaplaincy rooted in the parish’ by friend of Anna Chaplaincy Revd Peter Leech, who is interim director of mission and ministry in the diocese. A flourishing network of Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends is developing across Cambridgeshire and beyond, alongside local training, and it was a great encouragement to see three Anna Chaplains present on the day: Elizabeth Bryson, Beth Georgiou and Rosey Feuell (pictured above with Debbie Ducille).
Alongside keynote reflections from Debbie and Revd Helen Dearnley (Anglican Chaplaincy Advisor for HM Prisons and Probation service), a range of workshops/seminars were on offer. Revd Ruth Holmes (St Mary’s Ely) ably led a workshop on Anna Chaplaincy twice that morning to 15+ interested individuals each time.
Debbie reflected afterwards:
‘It was a wonderful occasion with a real buzz around the place and great interest expressed in all forms of chaplaincy, not least in Anna Chaplaincy. I’m so grateful to Peter for his commitment to overseeing the development of this ministry across the diocese, and for the growing team taking responsibility in their local areas through such vital roles. We are so pleased to see such interest and growth of Anna Chaplaincy in this part of the world!’