This week I attended the annual dedication service for aged care chaplains. About 30 chaplains, working for aged care organisations in WA, gathered for a special service to acknowledge and support their work.
All of Baptistcare's 11 chaplains (see picture above) from the Perth metropolitan area, Rockingham and Mandurah, Manjimup, Busselton and Margaret River, Albany and Brookton attended the dedication service.
Chaplains serve a unique and significant role within Baptistcare.
They play an important part in helping us to fulfil the holistic nature of our mission, that is to achieve the spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals, families and communities.
One of the unique aspects of chaplaincy that differs from much of the traditional services within the aged and community services, is the ministry of presence. While much of what we do is "doing", the chaplain can make a difference in people's lives by "being".
They are able to offer the peace and presence of God by being with people in times of grief and hardship, listening to people's hurts, their anger, their fears and their doubts, not necessarily answering their questions, but giving them permission to share their innermost thoughts.
To those who serve as chaplains and pastoral carers within Baptistcare, including those volunteers who support the chaplains in their role, we thank you.
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