Waterways Chaplaincy

Who we are

Could you be a Waterways Chaplain?

 Are you a Christian, a good listener and able to walk a mile of waterways a week?

The Christian ministry of a volunteer Waterways Chaplain is to be pastorally proactive and spiritually reactive in the boating community. We work to build up relationships and be part of the lives of all those we meet. Many value having  someone to listen and someone to talk issues through with to try to find a way forward.

Chaplains share in the good and bad times and are supportive and encouraging of all, regardless of religion, orientation or race. They support people of all faiths and none and are happy to discuss spiritual and practical matters if invited to do so.

“Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Our key values are to act justly, to love mercy and walk humbly with our God. A model Chaplain would be:

• Listener: Listen, listen and listen! This is a key attribute: being aware and seeking to understand how to use appropriate language, tone and volume according to the situation.
• Christian faith: a mature Christian faith and a strong commitment to the ethos and values of the Christian Church.
• Team player: being a team player and supportive of the people you work alongside.
• Teachable: willing to learn how best to respond to situations and individuals. It is expected that a volunteer Chaplain will attend two ministerial development days each year once their probationary training is complete.
• Empathy: an ability to understand the needs of an individual from the perspective of the person expressing the need.
• Commitment: walking the canal can be fun but it does require energy and commitment to cover at least one towpath mile per week. The timing can be flexible as does the readiness to adapt the kind of support offered to individuals according to needs being expressed.
• Self-awareness: an ability to understand one’s own emotional response to a situation and remain cool. Aware of one’s own non-verbal communication, in particular when approaching a vulnerable person.
• Caring: someone who cares about the local community and is willing  to make a contribution to a wider Christian care and concern.

So, are you a Christian, a good listener and able to walk a mile of waterways a week? Being a volunteer Chaplain is challenging, rewarding but never dull. It is  very humbling to be granted the opportunity to serve Christ in this way.

Is God talking to you about a ministry out of the four walls of the church, being his feet, hands and voice in a very special community?

The Waterways Chaplaincy offer support to those who live and use the UK’s waterways.

Chaplains are volunteers from local churches who regularly visit the waterways, offering help, companionship and a listening ear to individuals and businesses.Chaplains are interested in whomever they meet, be they boaters, cyclists, walkers, runners, anglers or canal workers.

A Boater’s Tale

‘Life was great on the boat. We were out of the rat race. Then my husband lost his job just before winter set in. We also had a new born child and problems with our heating. We were too far from Citizen’s Advice and had no money to pay for transport or fuel to heat the boat. We felt lost and alone, and our problems were compounding. We needed help.

We were so grateful for the day the Waterways Chaplain popped a card under our door. The Chaplain assisted with our immediate problems and stayed in touch with us until we were back on our feet.’

You are required to be a practising Christian for this role and references will be asked from your Church leaders.