| SACH Scottish Association of Chaplains in Healthcare |
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| SACH Scottish Association of Chaplains in Healthcare |
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SACH
News Sheet No 3 Contents
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A steady rise in membership has continued beyond all expectations.
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Membership Reaches 92 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. |
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Many thanks to Rev Dr Iain Macritchie whole-time chaplain at Raigmore for passing on the news of these interesting developments and events.
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James Falconer
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The President tenders his resignation.
James B Falconer |
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| Anne Harper acts as
Interim-President
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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! |
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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. |
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Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy
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Call for articlesAs 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) |
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CHCC Journal Now Available to Non-Members 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. |
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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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Jeanette Jenkins |
Congratulations Canon!
Rev Jeanette Jenkins, chaplain to Ayrshire Hospice and SACH Treasurer was made a Canon on Sunday 25 April 1999 in St Mary’s Cathedral, Great Western Road, Glasgow. A representative of the Diocesan office said, “Jeanette will be the first every woman Canon in the Glasgow Diocese.” Being made a Canon recognises Jeanette’s particular gifts in ministry, especially her work as a whole time chaplain. |
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Isabel Whyte
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The work of Chaplaincy at Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline featured in the local press recently. An insight into Chaplaincy was given to the community as Isabel Whyte spoke about how she looks to offer comfort and support wherever it is needed. Loitering in the corridors, quietly working behind the scenes and simply by sitting with people, Isabel works alongside her Roman Catholic colleagues in the Chaplaincy. “Illness concentrates the mind,” explained Isabel, as she underlined the value of Chaplaincy for many people coming into our hospitals. “We are here to help people affirm what faith they have…… To support everyone regardless of belief or denomination.” Agreeing with Isabel, James Falconer is quoted as saying, “We are a part of the total caring team. We are only a small part of that big team. It is an enormous privilege to be part of that.” |
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Contributions |
There are many ways in which we can promote an understanding of Chaplaincy. If some aspect of Chaplaincy in your area has recently been covered by the local press then let us all know via the Newsheet. Tell us what is happening with you. Contributions to Jeanette Jenkins. |
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| STRATHCARRON HOSPICE PART-TIME CHAPLIN Part-time Chaplain sought
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Presumably this job advertised in the Kirkintilloch Herald entails putting on a bowler hat, a false moustache and twirling a cane to make the patients laugh? |
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Chaplain call for faith in business-like culture A chaplain at Brighton Health Care trust, Stuart Johnson, has concluded that the spiritual services he offers to patients need, in best NHS management tradition, to be reformed to become more business-like. He believes that hospital chaplaincy has to find a ‘creative role’ and respond, like its management and medical colleagues to ‘economic, technological, environment and societal developments’. His strategy included identifying ‘measurable outcomes’ of his department’s work, regular ‘quality assurance’ audits, a complaints system and fixed budgets for an ‘agreed programme’. He said that there was a need for chaplaincy to move beyond the ‘purely religious’ role to wider multifaith concepts. ‘All people have a “spiritual dimension” to their lives,’ he said. (From the HEALTH SERVICE JOURNAL 18 April 1996) |
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Send material for the next News Sheet |
Rev Jeanette
Jenkins E-mail: ivanjen@lineone.net |
