Some resources from hospital chaplaincy

Here are some prayers written for my hospital chaplaincy placement, to give to someone struggling with prayer and the presence of God.




Lord Jesus Christ your promise is “I am with you always”. Help me to hear these words and to be reassured of your presence.
AMEN


God, in Jesus you became human and experienced joys and pain as we do. Help me to know that in our suffering you are there, that you know what it means to suffer as you journeyed to the cross.
So at this time of pain and suffering, may I know your presence.
In Jesus’ name the suffering servant.
AMEN


God of compassion. You are the God who says:
“Do not be afraid, I am with you. Though you walk through the fire I am with you, you can never be consumed by the fire.”

Right now though I am afraid, life is hard. Feeling your presence is hard.

Reveal yourself to me, in the hands that care, in the cards that carry love. Reassure me of your presence and give me your peace. In Jesus’ name AMEN


Loving God,
As a Mother who cares holds her child.
Hold me in your loving arms.
Help me to know the embrace of your loving arms at this time.

Hold me Lord, hear my cries and help me to know your presence.
AMEN



“Be still and know that I am God”.

Help me to be still.

Call to mind God’s promise “I am with you always”. Help me to reflect on this promise and know own this promise, that you are with me, here and now.

“As a Mother tends her tiny child, so I will care for you says the Lord”

God hear my cry
(take some time to really tell God how you feel).

Know that God hears this,
that God weeps with you as you weep and laughs with you when you laugh.

Lord Jesus Christ, come to me and be with me.
Make your presence real to me.
In Jesus’ name who promises presence.
AMEN

First Baptism

This week I did my first Baptism. It was a real privilege. I had been approached several weeks ago in the Hospital for a request for Baptism for a long term patient. The pastoral situation meant that I carried out the request on Wednesday afternoon. As are many of the occassions in the Hospital, it was a moving occassion. The service was very different to one I will ever do again thats for sure! I had to adapt the service of Baptism as we obviously were not going to have a full sermon at the bedside of the sick. It was also felt that asking for promises to be made was not appropriate in the pastoral context and this was a great reminder of God's unconditional love and unconditional acceptance.

The practicalities of Baptising in a hospital bed were fun, but this didn't detract from the Baptism itself!

As I've said before hospital chaplaincy is a privilege and being allowed to Baptise someone was certainly a privilege, to represent the Church and welcome the individual into the Church through the symbol of Baptism. It was the first time of course filling in the Baptism certificate- this brought home the privilege that we have as Student Ministers and as Ministers. I feel humbled at being allowed to be alongside people at some of the most difficult times of life.

A bad day

Have had a bad day today- have been at the hospital. As is the nature of hospital chaplaincy- some anticipated things didn't happen and things that weren't expected did. You never know from one minute to the next in hospital chaplaincy whats going to happen! A hard day- for evening prayer tonight in MCH we had this reading- I found it very moving and emotional. (Probably because I am emotionally drained tonight)

A New Heaven and a New Earth
1 Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.

What a day- when there is no more pain, suffering and heartache.
So much news today speaks of heartache, pain and suffering. Can get you down- but the vision from John's Revelation gives hope!

Tommorow will be a long day! Working at one of the social projects and then doing the overnight shift for night shelter.
Another meeting about next year on Friday afternoon!

another week nearly done!

Well I haven't blogged for a few days! Time is going so fast and nearly another week done!
Lots continues to go on- had a good weekend at Guy Chester Centre then a family party! The party was a three course meal and was on the whole very good! All of our family were together apart from 3 members of the 4th generation! Was at home for morning worship on Sunday- a great service. Although a somewhat interesting passage to hear from the lectionary:! "Go from your country"- the call of Abram. Again posing the question- is this what God is calling me to do?! I think I am becoming more clearer on the matter. Then came back to London on Sunday night. Had supervision on Monday morning- was helpful and then had some friends from Cambridge visit in the afternoon. I also saw friends from Lancaster on Tuesday lunchtime and for quite a bit of the afternoon! Was good to catch up- but makes me realise how much I miss Lancaster.

This week some very interesting issues about free church chaplaincy in the Hospital. One of the key issues that has been raised this week has been the issue of ministry to the free church community of the hospital. My Anglican colleagues are high church- Mass is central to there Spirituality. Worship therefore is centred around the sacraments. I have got reserved sacrament that I can use for patients who would like Holy Communion during their stay. For some of the Free Church people who I see Communion is much more about fellowship and the Community to which they belong. So therefore they don't want Communion. So the challenge is what do you offer- what can you offer? Of course there are bedside prayers if requested by the Patient- but what about when they want something a bit more.
Yesterday I was asked what Free Church worship was on offer- the answer is none- I am the only member of the Chaplaincy team that is Free Church- at the hospital for one day a week. So I now have a challenge of creating something that can be used to offer something different to the Free Church patients who would appreciate some kind of substance. I am thinking some kind of reflections on the weeks readings that could be used as part of prayers at the Bedside. Think it'd be good to do and to have something to offer. So I'll post them onto my blogg when I do them!
So much else is happening and perhaps I may be able to blogg eventually on some of it. There are obviously boundaries of confidentiality with some of my work!

With regard to my last post I have been in Contact with the College principal- will hopefully be seeing them shortly. Any way am preaching on Sunday so need to get on with planning worship!

another prayer

Am back in London- its been a busy week.
Yesterday the hospital was a difficult day but it was a privilege at the same time. One particular verse of a song has come to mind as central to the role of the hospital chaplain and yesterday seemed to me to be a reality, holding hands as a reassurance as comfort is something that happens quite often in chaplaincy and they are special moments and are a real privilege.

"I will hold the Christ-light for you
in the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping;
when you laugh I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow
till we’ve seen this journey through." (Richard Gillard )

Here is a prayer too, which I was inspired with yesterday and used,it will form part of a resource pack I'm doing for my hospital chaplaincy placement.


Hold our hands Lord,
Walk with us Lord.
Hold our hands Lord,
We’re walking in uncertainty,
Hold our hands Lord,
This time is hard.
Hold our hands Lord,
Reassure us of your love.
For all of us at this time.
Hold our hands Lord,
As we journey on through the coming hours and days,
Let us know you are here with us.
Hold our hands Lord,
Through the darkness of night,
Bring us the light of your hope.
Hold our hands Lord,
For you are faithful and promise to be with us always,
Whatever happens.
Hold our hands Lord.

Back to Work!

This week has been I think one of the busiest weeks I have had in London!
Last Sunday morning it was great to share in the Annual Covenant Service. It was here at Kings Cross- there were only 4 of us- but I was reminded how what we are doing is part of the much bigger picture- we can say it here with just a few of us- yet there are thousands of Methodist's (and others!) who say the words of the Covenant Prayer at the begining of the New Year. For me I found myself reflecting upon the words and the impact they have upon our lives a weeks prior to this- remembering the commitment I had made last year- which were still coming into completeness as 2007 drew to a close.

"I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
Put me to doing; put me to suffering;
Let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,
Exalted for you, or brought low for you;

Let me be full, let me be empty;
Let me have all things, let me have nothing;
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.

And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
You are mine and I am yours. So be it.

And the covenant made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen."

Before Christmas sometimes being in London was challenging- yet I had pledged myself to go where God sent! SO as I said these words this year I was aware that in just 5 months time- God willing the Methodist Church will send me to theological college- I was looking ahead to that, as well as being aware of the more immediate commitment I was making.

The words are powerful, demanding and challenging!

The week continued to be busy, I started work in another of our social projects with alcoholics, I was at the hospital for my day a week. Also helped with the Night Shelter which is hosted at Kings Cross one night a week during the first 3 months of the year.

I had missed not working in my two weeks off and am pleased to be back again. Part of my placement this year that has been helpful in my discernment is working as a hospital chaplain one day a week. Having not been at the hospital for several weeks I was shattered by the end, but gain so much. Its a privillege to be able to take Holy Communion to people (its reserved sacrament). I receive so much from what people share within the hospital. Part of this discernment is helping me to think about where my longer term ministry may lie. One of the good things about Methodism is the way that it can combine circuit work and chaplaincy together!

Has been a really good week- I went home for just over a day too! Then have led worship today at Hinde Street and taught the Senior School Children of the Chinese church today. Was great to be with them- we are looking at prayer during January. so today we looked at the Lord's prayer- the teenagers then wrote some of their own! Including a chav version! Very interesting.

Any way, tonight there is a house meal and meeting! So best go! Will update soon!