Chaplains: Heather Sheldon
As a Chaplaincy team, we believe our role is simply to be here, available anytime to guide and to care. Our presence in the business offers a place of quiet, of listening, of assistance and of prayer.
Our role enables the trainees, Staff, Volunteers and members of the public to deal with the difficulties they face, offering support and encouraging emotional and spiritual guidance and a shoulder to lean on.
‘Lifelines’, a 15-minute devotional, continues to be our standard structured interaction with all the staff and trainees. This takes place on various weekdays for Trainees and Friday’s for staff. ‘Lifelines’ gives us, as chaplains, an incredible opportunity to minister to the centre every week but also to emphasise important Christian Festivals, such as Holy Week, Easter and Christmas.
Christmas was celebrated with the annual Carol service, organised by the Chaplaincy team. Meeting in the barn added a certain festive charm to the occasion and we were thrilled to be joined by our own Three Kings (all dressed as Elvis of course!).
We are also responsible for organising Campaign Week, which this year had the theme, “You’re worth it!”. The trainee’s talent and enthusiasm wowed us as we held our first X-Factor competition. We learnt from each other as we saw how encouragement shows us how valuable we really are. For the staff, a retreat to a pottery Class was organised. By using our own artistic talents we aimed to create our own pot and in doing so, actively reflect on the beauty and talent of the Creator.
As chaplains, we have a part to play in the Centre’s Farmers Market, making sure we are on hand to talk and welcome people as they come through the Market and Centre. The opening of the Farmers Market presents an opportunity at special times of year to share the vision of The Salvation Army and the Christian message.
This year, as with every year, was a journey for our staff and trainees. As they join us and leave us we hope that the Christian ethos of the Centre will leave a lasting impression, so that they can move on with an improved sense of emotional and spiritual grounding.