Town Centre Chaplaincy

In September 2013 a newly ordained Methodist minister, Hannah Bucke, stepped onto Southend High St saying, ‘God, I know you have called me to serve on these streets, but I haven’t a clue what to do! What do I do now?!’ 6 years later Hannah moved to a new ministry in Army Chaplaincy, but left a legacy of chaplaincy to the city centre which was a remarkable work of God’s grace, and much more than one person could now handle.

In order to not only maintain but develop chaplaincy to the city, Love Southend has entered into a partnership with the Methodist Circuit.  The Circuit continues to supply chaplaincy services to Adventure Island and HARP; Love Southend is providing chaplaincy provision to the Royals Shopping Centre, the Southend YMCA, Project Southchurch through café drop-ins, a care home, a veterans’ group, an age concern drop-in. City chaplaincy through Love Southend is also represented on the police Independent Advisory Group.

Chaplains provide a Christ-centred loving and available presence to staff, service users, shoppers and visitors.  Stories of remarkable openness in sharing the joys and pain of life are common. Chaplains listen well, sign-post people to other services as appropriate and may offer prayer at the time or through a confidential prayer support network if the person is willing for that.

People wishing to explore chaplaincy are encouraged to shadow existing chaplains for some time and if they join one of the chaplaincy teams they are required to take the ‘Chaplaincy Everywhere’ course and have the support of their local church leadership.

As one of our voluntary chaplains, Clive, says, ‘Many people won’t come anywhere near a church these days, so the church needs to go to them.’

If you would like to know more about this ministry please email info@lovesouthend.org marking the subject of your email ‘chaplaincy’ and you will be contacted by a member of the chaplaincy team.