For the last four years we have been developing CPW in a number of areas:
1. By setting an overall strategy of making CPW a professional, well run and caring organisation. While CPW is led by volunteers it aims to be as professional as the businesses that it serves: in the way it organises itself, the material it produces and the manner in which it operates. Hopefully this can be seen in the quality of the speakers that we have attracted for our seminars, to the leaflets and annual reports we distribute as well as the day to day activities of all those involved.
2. By expanding the number of chaplaincies. We want to ensure that we cover the whole of Cambridgeshire as well as the different industry sectors. This is starting to happen with a presence already in Huntingdon and work ongoing in Wisbech, Ely and various other towns.
3. By training new chaplains. It is clear that there are insufficient people ready to become chaplains. Sometimes this is simply because they have not considered what is involved or even that it exists, and sometimes because they do not have the necessary skills. We have therefore developed, in collaboration with our colleagues in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, a short introductory training course. While we have the occasional opportunity for a paid role, the majority of chaplains will need to be volunteers.
4. By engaging with the business community. This has primarily been through the putting on of seminars and events, challenging the thinking behind topical issues and stimulating debate.
5. By taking the workplace to the churches. So far this has mainly been through Chris and Dorothy preaching and talking to clergy gatherings. However, we would like to be in a position to enable or run courses on ‘Faith and Work’ issues to help churches better understand business and to be able to support their own members in their working lives.
All of these areas are still required and still need more effort and input. But all this requires both time and money. While we have very affirming patrons, a number of church communities and many individuals supporting us, we still have a relatively small supporter base. We are therefore looking for:
1. Individuals to support us either financially, in prayer or as a volunteer.
2. Organisations to act as sponsors, either for one of our events or publications, or for a specific area of chaplaincy. Increasingly organisations are contributing to the cost of chaplaincy as a service because they appreciate the benefits that it brings “to the bottom line”.
3. Churches to be support bases for our work and encouraging local chaplains.
If you feel that you, your workplace or your church community would be interested, then do please get in touch and I, or Chris, would be delighted to come and discuss this further. Further details on our funding, how to give and other helpful material will be available on our website, which is currently been upgraded and will be re-launched very soon!
Source: Chaplaincy to People at Work