This month sees Workplace Ministry in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire (WMHB) – the ecumencial body that oversees the work of workplace ministry in these two counties – launch a recruitment drive for people to serve as workplace chaplains.
Chaplains – who give up a number of days each month to visit people at work – are drawn from practising Christians, either lay or ordained, who are connected to a recognised church.
Candidates need good social skills; should enjoy meeting people; be able to listen effectively; be cheerful, and be willing to learn how an organisation works. They also need to be able to work as part of a team and be sensitive to the many issues that arise in the workplace.
“Chaplains offer friendship and a listening ear to individuals and to organisations,” explained the head of WMHB, the Rev Michael Shaw. “They need to be available to all, regardless of religion or race, and they support staff of any faith – and none.
“In the current economic crisis, which is affecting the lives of all of us, workplace chaplains are more important than ever,” he added.
WMHB’s chaplains operate anywhere where people work but, primarily, they operate within the emergency services – in police stations, among fire and ambulance teams and so on – in the manufacturing industry; especially at Vauxhall Motors in Luton; in the ‘town centre retail’ environment, and at London Luton Airport.
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If you would like to volunteer to become part of the chaplaincy team, contact WMHB at 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans, AL1 1HE (tel 818144) or email [email protected].
