Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy is journeying alongside people wherever they find themselves.

Anglican Chaplains are dedicated to showing God’s love to everyone they meet. They are the church’s face in the world outside church. They typically provide a listening ear, spiritual guidance, emotional support, religious services and community activities. Chaplains can be ordained or lay ministers.

Anglican Chaplains often work closely with chaplains from other Christian denominations and other faiths and belief. They also follow the historical Anglican ideal of caring for all regardless of their religious worldview.

A recent Theos report recognised Chaplaincy as a very modern ministry, one that seems especially suited to modern British society and that seems likely to become a dominant feature of the in ever–changing landscape of religion in Britain.

Where do chaplains work?

Chaplains usually work within a secular institution such as a hospital, university or shopping centre. They may have a dedicated space, such as a prayer room or chaplaincy centre.

Anna Chaplaincy

Anna Chaplains support older people spiritually and are community based, going where people are, to those in need. They make no distinction between church goers and non-church goers, those of faith or of no faith. Their care is person-centred and non-judgemental, and they are able to include family, carers and care professionals. Their ministry includes accompanying, listening to people’s stories and sensitive spiritual care.

The Armed Forces

Armed Forces chaplains take care of the spiritual and moral wellbeing of service personnel and their families and often have to go into dangerous situations with them.

Healthcare

Healthcare chaplains are available to support patients, their families and hospital staff. They are often specialists in grief and loss care, crisis intervention, conflict resolution and the range of services available to patients and staff inside and outside the location.

Prisons

Anglican Chaplains work within a multi-faith team to care for the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of prisoners. They also help with practical aspects of prisoner rehabilitation.

Schools, Colleges and Universities

Many schools and MATs now employ chaplains while others use the expertise of local parish clergy. Chaplains lead assemblies and worship, may celebrate the Eucharist and are available to pupils, staff and families to offer support wherever and whenever it is needed; some chaplains also teach. They can be important in calling others to recognise that the spiritual plays an essential part in human formation.

University chaplains offer counselling, support and guidance in matters of faith and spiritual development to students and staff. They arrange events to help develop a sense of community within the university.

The Workplace

Workplace chaplains provide emotional support, spiritual guidance and help by being a person to talk to who is not a part of the competitive workplace.

Training and Development

All Anglican Chaplains within the Diocese who hold the Bishop’s Licence are able to access CME training free of charge.

Those exploring Chaplaincy can access training with our partners in Bath and Wells for a charge of £50.

There is a joint annual Chaplaincy Conference in October and an Annual Retreat in June (with Bath and Wells) to which all Chaplains are invited.