Multi-faith chaplaincy offers support for all
18 December 2019
Over the December period the Reverend John Butcher and his team of multi-faith Force chaplains have been busy across the Force area with a number of events building up to Christmas.
These included:
Monday 9 December: carol singing in the Lloyd House reception with the Chief Constable and members from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office and the Force Executive Team as well as other officers and staff. The singers were accompanied by the Salvation Army Band.
Wednesday 11 December: Christmas event in the Lloyd House café giving out gifts, mince pies and a lot of cheer with carol singing.
Wednesday 11 December: handing over gifts and donations to St Chad’s Cathedral for the asylum seekers project that West Midlands Police officers and staff gave towards.
Thursday 12 December: Force Carol Service at St Martin’s in the Bullring attended by more than 400 officers and staff.
Friday 13 December: John speaking at the NARPO (Dudley & District) Christmas event (afternoon and evening) - even the Santa gave a standing ovation!
As well as the above events, the chaplains have put on a number of carol services and Christmas events throughout the Force in a number of the Neighbourhood Policing Units (NPUs) and departments.
Looking ahead, on Friday 24 January 2020, John has arranged a tour of the Birmingham Central Mosque including observing Friday prayers from the visitors’ gallery. The visit will include refreshments and lunch, a presentation and time for questions and answers.
What is the WMP Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Team
Multi-faith chaplaincy offers a service that is available to any individual or group regardless of faith, religious tradition or no faith at all.
It provides a team of people who are committed to working together to offer pastoral and spiritual care and support to those who work within the organisation and to their families. It is embedded within, but independent of, the organisational structures and this allows for confidentiality. Each NPU has a dedicated chaplain (or team of chaplains) spending time in their unit. In addition, there will be a team of advisers from different faiths to assist those who require support from a person of their own faith.
What does it do?
The chaplaincy team is committed to building up relationships within the organisation and to be alongside people in both the good and the not so good times. Their ministry is threefold; to be a presence that reminds us of our humanity; to be a pastor to assist people in times of need; to be a prophet in speaking out against real or potential injustice in the structures.
How do they do it?
Each chaplain will do that in their own way, depending upon their personality, circumstances and how long they can give to their NPU. The NPU chaplain may well be at awards evenings, or be seen out on patrol. They will certainly be available for support in times of crisis whether that is to an individual or to the management team. They will be a confidential listening ear and will accept all confidences without judgment.
Chaplaincy is never a vehicle for faith preaching. This is true regardless of the faith of the chaplain.
Who are they?
The Rev John Butcher BEM is the multi-faith lead chaplain and is responsible for the delivery of chaplaincy services across the Force.
There are also a number of NPU chaplains who are recognised within their own faith community, and who volunteer their time and efforts to support specific NPUs and departments.
