Chaplaincy
The role of the Chaplain within Glen Eden Baptist Church (GEBC) and Visionwest is to provide care and aroha to whānau. This is a mix of practice and both spiritual and emotional support that prioritises the needs of others.
This year, the reach of the chaplaincy programme has extended from a one-person service to a team approach through the development of a team of volunteers known as The A Team. “A” stands for available; available to support and care for whānau. Important links have also been made with kaimahi at Hoani Waititi Marae. This kind of collaboration is essential for effective service to our community.
Our Chaplain, Simon Radford, is at the forefront of many of the challenges facing people in our community and reports that loneliness is a growing challenge for many of those supported through the chaplaincy programme. Many are isolated and sometimes alienated from friends and whānau. This means that being present and listening is as important as any practical support provided.
On a practical level, housing remains the greatest need for many of the whānau supported by the Chaplain who require stable, good quality housing. Hence, much work is done to liaise with social housing providers, including Visionwest Community Housing. This year three whānau were supported into housing.
Members of ‘The A Team’ at a weekly meeting.
Having a Community Chaplain enables us to proactively respond to whānau who request focused Chaplaincy support.
Helping a whānau into a freshly renovated whare in Glen Innes after months of living in motels and transitional housing, was a huge joy.
50 plus individuals or families served including three families supported into housing.
Seven members of GEBC joined the A Team (the Chaplaincy support team).
Our response to spiritual needs
Tā mātou whakautu ki te āhuatanga o te taha wairua
Individuals or families receiving focused chaplaincy support
People attending Te Kapu community lunch each week
