Chaplaincy

I work at Allowah (3 days) providing pastoral care to children, families and staff. For the first few months I felt completely out of my depth. I knew little about the world of disabilities and even less about how to minister to the spiritual needs of children who were unable to communicate in the usual ways. Many people who enter this world share my feelings of being confronted or overwhelmed until we learn how to communicate and therefore love these children.

Providing for the spiritual needs of these children with profound disabilities has become the primary focus of my work. Praying individually, photos/ audio tapes of loved ones on the cots and Saturday Kid's Church provide opportunities for individual and group prayer, praise and worship.

I am often invited to speak in the community, fostering links with the hospital, church and society for mutual support and fellowship.

I have needed to be quite creative in ways to support siblings (newsletters, quilts, camps, internet connection and care packs), parents (information nights, phone support) and staff (memorial and thanksgiving services, counselling). Combining these goals in a family fun afternoon at the "God loves kids like us" church service has proven to be most helpful.

Six years of experience in pastoral care at the Children's Hospital Westmead and studies at the Presbyterian Theological College have provided me with a gospel base for this work.

Please pray for the children and for all those who care for them.