PF Hospital Ministry
Hospital Ministry has been one of the services that the Pagan Federation has been doing for a few years now. The Visitors/Chaplains are trained to a high degree that is accredited by the NHS. Chaplains are generally paid for their time because they are asked to attend on regular days and times undertaking pastoral care as part of the hospital team, whilst visitors are volunteers who will be more flexible about their attendance and generally only be called in when there is a person who asks for spiritual guidance and support, but both get the same level of training otherwise they would not be allowed to attend patients in hospitals. Both can be called on to attend patients in crisis at any time day or night, as well as being with patients during end of life, so like any ministry role calls for compassion and dedication.
There are Hospital Ministers from a variety of the Pagan paths and the team has regular bi-monthly training meetings, which also gives a good connection with the team across the country.
Recently (2023ce) the Pagan Federation Writing Ministry team have opened up their support to include patients in hospital as well as those out in the community. If a patient wishes to continue writing to a minister when they get home, then that is welcomed by the allocated corresponding minister who can continue supporting that patient with their spiritual care whilst they recover from a hospital stay.
Ang Langrick
Deputy Community Support Officer