Introduction to workplace chaplaincy

Between 3 March and 14 April, Birmingham-based charity CIGB is to run a seven-week introductory course to Workplace Chaplaincy. The course is intended for people who are interested in exploring Workplace Chaplaincy as an outworking of their faith life. It introduces some of the core themes and skills of Workplace Chaplaincy, such as caring/listening, connecting with work/life issues, challenging issues and chaplaincy in a multi-faith context.

The course will run from 5.00pm to 7.00pm on Thursday evenings between 3 March and 14 April in an accessible city-centre venue. Refreshments will be provided. Sessions will start and end with brief prayers. Teaching is informal and interactive, drawing on the experiences of participants. Participants will be expected to attend all seven sessions. There is a charge of £50 (payable in advance) to cover some of the course costs, materials and refreshments. If covering the cost is difficult, please still enquire about the possibility of enrolling.

The course is a pre-requisite before CIGB will support volunteers into chaplaincy, though completion of the course is not a guarantee that volunteers will be automatically recommended for chaplaincy. There is no requirement that those who complete the course begin chaplaincy with CIGB. Before recommending individuals for chaplaincy work, CIGB will also request character references and check that the person is ‘in good standing with their local faith community.’

CIGB Workplace Chaplaincy is an ecumenical charity which trains, places and supports voluntary Workplace Chaplains throughout Birmingham and Solihull. Workplace Chaplains, as the name suggests, visit and befriend people of all faiths and none in their places of work offering support and a confidential ‘listening ear.’ Whilst chaplains will often respond positively to enquiries about their personal faith, they do not pro-actively proselytise, or set-out to convert people. They do, however, seek opportunities to come alongside people in their work as Jesus did. Chaplains follow in a long tradition of faithful love with people outside the usual boundaries of the church community. Chaplains also enrich local church life by feeding their experiences back into their congregation.

For more information, contact val.dalton@cigb.org.uk. To find out more about CIGB, follow THIS LINK.