February 2024

February has been an interesting month – the weather has ranged, as you know, from teeming rain to glorious sunshine and everything in between, but the wildlife and scenery along the canal are always a blessing.

This month I have chatted to some would be WW chaplains, supported two new probationary chaplains over at Burton-on-Trent, helped a boater fill in a Universal Credit application, accompanied a boater to a Job centre interview, moved 8 bags of rubbish from a boat to the recycling centre and generally chatted to the boaters and towpath users I have met along the way.

I attended a WWC National Training Day in Stoke-on-Trent which was really interesting and great to meet lots of other WWCs from round the North. One of the workshops talked about ‘Jesus Shaped Chaplaincy’ – how chaplains are to be and what they can  offer through Jesus – Security – Knowing who you are and your mission, Availability – being there for people in need, Dignity – seeing people as precious, made in God’s image with free will, Transformation – offering people a new beginning and Reconnection – loving God and being part of community. Some food for thought there!

WWC is overseen by Church Army (part of the Church of England) and some of the talk revolved around funding for the organisation going forward – a struggle for all charities.  If any of you feel moved to help fund this vital work – Waterways Chaplaincy is funded entirely by donations – You can donate to our work in any of the following ways…

by Online banking or Standing order:- Donate to Church Army using Sort Code 20-49-81 Account number 80255459, and please add the reference WWC1600

Or  to Donate by Cheque, Make your cheque payable to “Church Army – Waterways Chaplains” and send to Waterways Chaplains, Church Army, Wilson Carlile Centre, 50 Cavendish Street, Sheffield. S3 7RZ

Thank you for your support. Please continue to pray for all boaters and users of the towpath in our town.

Many blessings – Helen