Force chaplains on hand to offer support
2 April 2020
The Force Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Team will do all it can to support officers, staff and their family members during the Coronavirus crisis, the lead chaplain has promised.
The Reverend John Butcher and the other chaplains are available for anyone – regardless of faith or even if they have no faith - needing someone to talk to.
“Of course, along with everyone else, we are complying with social distancing guidelines but we are at the end of the phone for anyone who needs us and we are also becoming adept at holding Skype meetings,” says John, “We understand that people are feeling anxious at the moment and we want to do whatever we can to support them.
“We are seeing the number of deaths rise nationwide and, sadly, we appreciate it is likely that, as a Force, we may face losing people to this virus or our officers and staff may suffer bereavements within their families or their friendship groups.
“We want to reassure everyone that we are here for them to listen, to offer comfort and to help in any practical way we can. We are also willing to conduct funeral services free of charge on behalf of anyone in the West Midlands Police family.
“At a time when families are going to be hit hard financially due to people losing income, it is going to be difficult for some to find the money to pay for a funeral which can cost a minimum of around £3,000. Within that, there will often be a charge for a minister to conduct the service of £100 to £200 sometimes so this is something where we feel we can help during this time.”
To contact the chaplaincy team you can ring John on 07814 573 067 or email John Butcher and you can find out more about the service on the Force intranet.
What is the WMP Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Team
The Reverend John Butcher and the other chaplains are available for anyone – regardless of faith or even if they have no faith - needing someone to talk to.
“Of course, along with everyone else, we are complying with social distancing guidelines but we are at the end of the phone for anyone who needs us and we are also becoming adept at holding Skype meetings,” says John, “We understand that people are feeling anxious at the moment and we want to do whatever we can to support them.
“We are seeing the number of deaths rise nationwide and, sadly, we appreciate it is likely that, as a Force, we may face losing people to this virus or our officers and staff may suffer bereavements within their families or their friendship groups.
“We want to reassure everyone that we are here for them to listen, to offer comfort and to help in any practical way we can. We are also willing to conduct funeral services free of charge on behalf of anyone in the West Midlands Police family.
“At a time when families are going to be hit hard financially due to people losing income, it is going to be difficult for some to find the money to pay for a funeral which can cost a minimum of around £3,000. Within that, there will often be a charge for a minister to conduct the service of £100 to £200 sometimes so this is something where we feel we can help during this time.”
To contact the chaplaincy team you can ring John on 07814 573 067 or email John Butcher and you can find out more about the service on the Force intranet.
What is the WMP Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Team
The 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?
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.
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?
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.
