Each Monday morning at our Applecross office, some members of Baptistcare staff spend some time in reflection as a way of starting our work week together. It usually takes the form of a reading from the Bible, a thought from someone about what the reading means to them, and a time when people can pray together for the coming week.
This morning we heard the words from Psalm 46: “Be still and know that I am God.”
In a world of chaos and confusion, a working life of busy-ness and pressure, and in some cases, a home life where things don’t seem to go the way we would like them, these words come as a welcome invitation.
As I reflect on these words, I don’t see a requirement to take more action, when there’s already so much happening around me; I don’t see a requirement to establish an academic knowledge of religion; and I don’t necessarily see an expectation to conform to a particular pattern of behaviour.
What I see is an invitation to pause from the rush and bustle of life to feel the welcoming presence of One who knows exactly how I am feeling right now and longs to share my journey with me. It is the still, small voice of One who prizes a relationship with me above all other demands and expectations.
By the way, if you’re near Applecross at 8.30am Monday come and join us for a time of reflection.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Chaplains Dedication
Today chaplains from Baptistcare, Bethanie Care, Amana Living, Uniting Church Homes, Adventist Care, Catholic Homes, Southern Cross Care, Mercy Care and Alzheimers Association gathered for a special dedication service for aged care chaplains and pastoral carers.
This is the first time a service of this nature has been held in WA across such a wide range of aged care services, and it was a great time to acknowledge the important role of chaplains within aged care. Dr Brian Harris, the Principal of Vose Seminary presented a thought provoking message to the group, encouraging chaplains in their responsibility of holding on to people's stories.
One of the statements read by the leader of the service was this: God welcomes you as people who pause alongside - to give and to receive - those who struggle and search, those who tell stories of delight and sadness, and those who grieve and seek healing and hope.
Baptistcare has 11 chaplains who provide a unique service to residents, clients and staff.
Thankyou chaplains for your committment and service. Your presence is highly valued.
This is the first time a service of this nature has been held in WA across such a wide range of aged care services, and it was a great time to acknowledge the important role of chaplains within aged care. Dr Brian Harris, the Principal of Vose Seminary presented a thought provoking message to the group, encouraging chaplains in their responsibility of holding on to people's stories.
One of the statements read by the leader of the service was this: God welcomes you as people who pause alongside - to give and to receive - those who struggle and search, those who tell stories of delight and sadness, and those who grieve and seek healing and hope.
Baptistcare has 11 chaplains who provide a unique service to residents, clients and staff.
Thankyou chaplains for your committment and service. Your presence is highly valued.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Lessons from Jessica
Thanks to those contributed to the discussion from last week’s blog on accountability. Here’s another thought on the same subject.
A few weeks ago Jessica Watson was named Young Australian of the Year in the Australia Day honours. Jessica, at the aged of 16, became the youngest person in the world to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world, completing her journey in May last year after 210 days at sea.
As a solo yachtswoman, Jessica did not achieve this great feat without being accountable. She had six major sponsors who expected her to honour their investment. She maintained regular contact with a team of people, including her family, who were intimately concerned for her safety; and detailed reports were kept of her position, wind directions, and weather. She had thousands of Australians reading her blog each day and expecting to hear the details of her adventure. Most of all Jessica was accountable to herself, by maintaining her health, safety and emotional stability.
Some of us have a habit of travelling solo and feel that accountability is an intrusion into our privacy; but we could do well to learn from Jessica Watson. While there may be times we work alone, and perhaps even work best alone, it is important we recognise the importance of the team that is around us, and acknowledge their contribution to our success.
Too often people’s emotional and physical health deteriorates because there is a failure to see the signs that the conditions on the ocean are changing. By building effective accountability structures into our lives we are able to benefit from other people’s wisdom and take adequate precautions to deal with the big waves that are coming.
A few weeks ago Jessica Watson was named Young Australian of the Year in the Australia Day honours. Jessica, at the aged of 16, became the youngest person in the world to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world, completing her journey in May last year after 210 days at sea.
As a solo yachtswoman, Jessica did not achieve this great feat without being accountable. She had six major sponsors who expected her to honour their investment. She maintained regular contact with a team of people, including her family, who were intimately concerned for her safety; and detailed reports were kept of her position, wind directions, and weather. She had thousands of Australians reading her blog each day and expecting to hear the details of her adventure. Most of all Jessica was accountable to herself, by maintaining her health, safety and emotional stability.
Some of us have a habit of travelling solo and feel that accountability is an intrusion into our privacy; but we could do well to learn from Jessica Watson. While there may be times we work alone, and perhaps even work best alone, it is important we recognise the importance of the team that is around us, and acknowledge their contribution to our success.
Too often people’s emotional and physical health deteriorates because there is a failure to see the signs that the conditions on the ocean are changing. By building effective accountability structures into our lives we are able to benefit from other people’s wisdom and take adequate precautions to deal with the big waves that are coming.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
What is accountability?
The fifth of Baptistcare’s values is: Accountability for our performance.
For some reason the word accountability seems to conjure up negative ideas. Maybe it comes from bad experiences in the past, but sometimes when people talk about accountability they give the impression that accountability is about punishment, or at the least, something to be feared.
Essentially accountability is about taking responsibility; accepting that we all need to give account to someone for what we do, and as a result take responsibility for our actions.
At a basic level we need to be accountable to ourselves; to answer to our conscience that we have done what had to be done according to the best of our ability.
But most of the time we are required to be accountable to others. In organisations like Baptistcare that includes ensuring that contracts to government are met, legislation is followed and work schedules are met.
Even more important than such formal accountability is the need to be accountable to the people we serve. Whether we are washing someone’s floor, attending to their health needs, writing a report, fixing a tap or paying a bill, we need to accept responsibility for our performance.
As we carry out our duties, the resident of a nursing home, the recipient of mental health services or the participant in a disability programme may not ask us for a formal report but they are expecting a job well done, a friendly smile, a willing spirit, and an attitude that reflects hope and generosity.
What does accountability mean to you?
For some reason the word accountability seems to conjure up negative ideas. Maybe it comes from bad experiences in the past, but sometimes when people talk about accountability they give the impression that accountability is about punishment, or at the least, something to be feared.
Essentially accountability is about taking responsibility; accepting that we all need to give account to someone for what we do, and as a result take responsibility for our actions.
At a basic level we need to be accountable to ourselves; to answer to our conscience that we have done what had to be done according to the best of our ability.
But most of the time we are required to be accountable to others. In organisations like Baptistcare that includes ensuring that contracts to government are met, legislation is followed and work schedules are met.
Even more important than such formal accountability is the need to be accountable to the people we serve. Whether we are washing someone’s floor, attending to their health needs, writing a report, fixing a tap or paying a bill, we need to accept responsibility for our performance.
As we carry out our duties, the resident of a nursing home, the recipient of mental health services or the participant in a disability programme may not ask us for a formal report but they are expecting a job well done, a friendly smile, a willing spirit, and an attitude that reflects hope and generosity.
What does accountability mean to you?
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