Diocesan Chaplain?
Obviously, this is not for me. I ain't chaplain to nobody.
This is a question for those of you who are or have been delegates to your diocesan conventions or as GC deputies. If you had somebody serving as chaplain, what did s/he do? Did the chaplain merely offer scripted prayers at a couple of points on the agenda? or something more? What do you wish s/he had done? Please give me stories and as much concrete information as you can.
I'll be passing your information and stories to a friend who is serving (without much guidance) very soon as chaplain to her diocesan convention.
This is a question for those of you who are or have been delegates to your diocesan conventions or as GC deputies. If you had somebody serving as chaplain, what did s/he do? Did the chaplain merely offer scripted prayers at a couple of points on the agenda? or something more? What do you wish s/he had done? Please give me stories and as much concrete information as you can.
I'll be passing your information and stories to a friend who is serving (without much guidance) very soon as chaplain to her diocesan convention.
posted by Lisa Fox at 11/20/2008 12:25:00 AM
6 Comments:
Don't look at me, The Sr. Warden and I are stressin' that our vicar and our priest associate are going there in the same car. There's a reason they don't put everyone who knows the secret ingredient in Coca-Cola on the same plane, ya know...
It made me already tick off in my head who in the parish is licensed to do Morning Prayer...
LOL, Kirk! I can appreciate your anxiety.
But ... about the thread ... I'm disappointed nobody has any stories to tell or suggestions to offer about service as a diocesan chaplain. Maybe nobody's done it or seen it done. Or maybe it's been done but nobody cares. Hmmmm .... it's a puzzle.
The key or main role, or purpose of any chaplain, anywhere, is the ministry of listening. As I chaplain it is rewarding in so many ways; sometimes you listen to a life story, or a rant or weeping and regret, more often than not you listen to silence and simply be a gentle and comforting, strengthening presence. Wherever you are with whomever you are with, it is holy listening, on holy ground...and that can be anywhere.
Catherine+
I'm glad Catherine knows more than we do. I'm afraid I'm sitting there thinking I have no idea how one chaplains for an entire diocese!
Dearest Kirk, I wouldn't exactly say that I know MORE than you all about what a DIOCESAN chaplain does, but I do know what the elemental role of a chaplain, anywhere, is. Now on the diocesan level it could be leading prayers, facilitating discussions,a little organization support, or it could be the position anyone, including clergy, can go-to for someone to simply be present without judgment, knowing the topic will go no further than the chaplain and God and the person wanting to talk or be heard...nice little confidential trinity.
Thanks, Catherine. I'll pass this along. Maybe this is a role that needs a little more discussion.
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