Healthcare

Compassion, resilience and COVID-19

“Compassion, resilience and COVID-19” is a thought provoking article which has just been published in the Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and written by Andrew Gillies, who is a healthcare chaplain.

Rev Gillies writes, “Pandemics change perspectives, and the unique global impact of COVID-19 has offered little in the way of predictability that would otherwise inform what new, or helpful perspectives we might carry forward to cope with all that is unfolding. As a healthcare chaplain I spend a lot of time ‘holding stories’. These are the ones that patients tell as their lives come to an end, or as their health circumstances change. These are also the stories that healthcare colleagues tell of how unacceptable and painful their work can be, or of how dull and disconnected their emotions are compared to when they started. These stories are important because in speaking them, and having them heard, they are in some way validated, made real and understood …”

You can read the full article HERE.

(photo courtesy of Annie Spratt at Unsplash)

Tea and chat - Fridays @ 4pm - for Healthcare Chaplains!

There’s a lot going on for us all at the moment and finding space to chat and relax together can be challenging. Often things come up in our working week we want to share or we might just appreciate a friendly face and a cuppa on a Friday… so here’s the link. Join us if you can!

Revd Meg Burton, the Free Churches Secretary for Healthcare invites you to bring a cuppa and have a get-together each Friday at 4pm through Zoom. Healthcare chaplains welcome!

Zoom Meeting ID:870 5327 8978  Password: 669993


Meg says, “I will be there between 4pm and 5pm if anyone would like to join me

for an informal chat about anything.”

You can find out more about the work the Free Churches does in the field of healthcare and download helpful resources HERE.

(photo courtesy of Jess Bailey at Unsplash)

Help is at hand... FURTHER RESOURCES TO HELP YOU IN YOUR MINISTRY

Revd Meg Burton, Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy for the Free Churches, has been gathering and sharing a range of supportive and informative communications with Healthcare Chaplains. Although these are primarily aimed at those working in healthcare chaplaincy, many others may find the content encouraging and helpful in their life and ministry.

There is:

Help is at Hand (support after someone may have died from suicide) - booklet

  • Chaplaincy is… (a poignant reflection by a healthcare chaplain) PowerPoint presentation

  • Our Story - Reflections from a healthcare chaplaincy team during the pandemic

You can find out more and explore these reflections and materials HERE.

Meg provides the leadership on Healthcare Chaplaincy work at a national level for the Free Churches as well as in a multi-faith context.

(photo courtesy of Kelly Sikkema at Unsplash)

Tea and cake - a get together for healthcare chaplains - Fridays @ 4!

Revd Meg Burton, the Free Churches Secretary for Healthcare, has got the kettle on! Meg would like to invite you to bring a cuppa and have a get-together each Friday at 4pm through Zoom. Healthcare chaplains welcome!

There’s a lot going on for us all at the moment and finding space to chat and relax together can be challenging. Often things come up in our working week we want to share or we might just appreciate a friendly face and a cuppa on a Friday… so here’s the link. Join us if you can!

Zoom Meeting ID:870 5327 8978  Password: 669993


Meg says, “I will be there between 4pm and 5pm if anyone would like to join me

for an informal chat about anything.”

(photo courtesy of Loverna Journey at Unsplash)

A service to mark the 72nd anniversary of the NHS

The Newcastle Hospitals Chaplaincy Department have made a poignant film with a service of reflection to mark the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the NHS.

You can watch their film here, which features an adapted version of Psalm 121 - “I lift up my eyes…”

May it be a blessing and a comfort to you.

(photo courtesy of Amy Shamblen at Unsplash)

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