SACH   News Sheet No 3

March 1999

Contents

Membership Reaches 92 (and rising!)

In June last year, when negotiations were taking place with the Independent Insurance Brokers to set up Professional Indemnity Insurance for SACH members, it was felt that a projected maximum membership of 100 would give an ample margin, before the need to renegotiate. Sometimes it is nice to get the figures wrong! Certainly it is very encouraging to see the margin being eroded: a steady rise in membership has continued beyond all expectations.

There must be little doubt, however, that the larger the membership, the stronger the Association becomes. It is hoped therefore, that in the not too distant future, a leaflet might be produced explaining what SACH is and encouraging others to think about joining. This could be made available at conferences, training events and for wider distribution.

Update from Inverness

  • The introduction of an Order of Service has allowed those listening in to the Sunday service, broadcast on the hospital radio, to follow the words of hymns and the readings while still on the ward. The Orders of Service can also be retained by those participating in the worship and used as a means of contact with the Chaplaincy Department or for the prayers and readings on the back.
  • An on-call rota has been developed using all the chaplains in the Inverness area. One radio pager is passed around which means that only one on-call number for Chaplains need be retained by the switchboard and the wards.
  • The Tweedmouth Memorial Chapel at the Royal Northern Infirmary in Inverness celebrated its centenary last year. This Chapel is the earliest recorded ecumenical worship space in the country and the celebrations reflected the ecumenical nature of the building. During the month of October the local Episcopal Bishop, Roman Catholic Bishop, Free Church Moderator and Church of Scotland, Moderator of Presbytery conducted services to large congregations made up of present and former members of staff, patients and friends.
  • The annual conference for Part-time Chaplains in the Highlands and West Grampian region was held at Raigmore Hospital in October. A very cordial time of fellowship and learning was shared by all.
  • In connection with the Highland Branch of the Scottish Society of Pastoral Care, Raigmore Chaplaincy organise a twice yearly Conference for local clergy on matters of spiritual care and health. Last November’s meeting examined matters concerning Highland Sexual Health and Wholeness.

The President tenders his resignation.

It is with more than a tinge of regret that, for family reasons, I have asked the executive to accept my resignation at this time. Those who were present at the AGM may recall that I gave notice of my intention not to stand for re-election, as President, beyond 1999. I believe it is important to keep leadership fresh. To be honest having served as chairman of the Scottish Branch of CHCC, on the National Council and its executive, for a number of years, prior to the establishment of SACH, I feel a little ‘weary’: but having seen the response to SACH, I am left in no doubt that setting this professional body up was right for Scottish chaplains and chaplaincy. To those who have been so helpful and supportive both on the SACH executive and as colleagues, I want to say a simple but sincere - thank you. It continues to be a very exciting time to be in healthcare chaplaincy and I wish both SACH and my successor well.

James B Falconer

It was with real regret that the Executive received James Falconer’s resignation as President. James has served us well not just in setting up SACH but in the years he served and represented us on the College of Health Care Chaplains executive. Much of what we have achieved is down to his hard work and commitment to Chaplaincy. Thankfully he will continue to be a member of SACH and will still be contributing to the life of the Association in many ways. We will have the opportunity to thank him in person at the AGM.
Meantime Anne Harper (Chaplain at Glasgow Royal Infirmary) has agreed to act as interim President till the AGM when nominations will be sought and an election held. Perhaps also a Vice-President!

Comings and Goings

Congratulations to the Rev Douglas Stevenson on his appointment to the new (second) whole-time chaplain’s post at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. An exciting if daunting challenge! Not so much because of the forthcoming move to the new hospital, more the prospect of working in a team with Euan and Anne!

Chaplaincy colleagues will also be pleased to learn of the recent appointments of the Rev Kay Gilchrist to the chaplaincy post at Rachel House, Kinross, and of the Rev Elizabeth Malaney to Ardgowan Hospice.

It is with mixed feelings that many of us view the impending retirement of the Rev John Johnston from the whole-time post at the Crichton Royal and Dumfries Royal Infirmary’s. It is no secret that John is very highly respected and regarded by both those he works with and chaplaincy colleagues. His quiet way, thoughtful contributions and humour are among his trademarks. His recent support for local colleagues saw many part-time chaplaincy posts being retained. He was elected to the new SACH executive for which, among many other things, he was responsible for drawing up the Code of Professional Conduct. John previously served on the College of Health Care Chaplains Scottish Branch executive and is still a member of the Church of Scotland's, Hospitals and Universities Sub Committee. We wish him a long and happy retirement.

Call for articles

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As you all know, the first issue of the Scottish Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy is now in print. We have been pleased with the positive response and we are very grateful for all of the constructive comments people have so kindly offered. The journal has the potential to be a very useful resource for health care practitioners and we hope that it will contribute to the development of the many diverse areas that it’s readers represent.

However, the success or failure of the journal lies wholly in your hands! Without your thoughts and your contributions the journal cannot exist. In order for the journal to achieve it’s goals, it is important that people feel free to contribute and voice their opinions. We are therefore very keen that as many people as possible get the opportunity to contribute their thoughts (large and small), to the continuing work of the journal. You don’t have to be a literary genius! Even if you have never written anything before for publication, I would urge you to have a go. It is vital that the journal authentically represents people “on the ground” as they work out their theology and practice in the complicated messiness of health care practice. You may not think that your thoughts and ideas are important, but they most certainly are! If you do not speak out on the issues which are of burning importance to you, who will?

So, if you feel inclined to become involved with the work of the journal , please get in touch with either myself or with one of the other members of the editorial board. We would be delighted to hear from you and to work with you on your thoughts and ideas.

John Swinton (Editor)

CHCC Journal Now Available to Non-Members

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As part of SACH’s ongoing commitment to encouraging exchanges between chaplains and chaplaincy as a whole, the president wrote to the CHCC president and journal editor, to ask if consideration could be given to making the availability of the Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplain known to CHCC members in England and Wales. SACH has offered a reciprocal arrangement. Peter Page, president replied, “The College Executive Committee next meet in early February and the Council in April ... please be reassured that I have received your letter and the journal with warm appreciation and entirely in the spirit in which you wrote”.

Until now the CHCC journal was only available to members, but Michael Law replied, “ I have discussed the issue of charging for the CHCC Journal... and it has been agreed to charge an annual subscription of £20 to non-CHCC members. A very positive response. SACH members can therefore now subscribe to the CHCC journal: please write directly to:

Mr Chris Webber, CHCC Registrar, 2 Edwards College, South Cerney, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England, GL7 5TR

sach01.gif (16509 bytes)SACH Gets a New Logo

Ruth Scott the graphic design student whose vision saw the SACH, Celtic logo design and the broad layout of the journal come into being, sadly died on 30 January 1999. Her long fight against cancer defeated her body but did not overcome her sparkle and enthusiasm for life. At her husband’s request Ruth was told, a few days before her death, that future editions of the Journal would carry not only designed by Ruth Scott but would have the logo printed in her chosen colours: terracotta and grey/blue.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband Brad, her children and family.

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