Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland Blog

Celebrating WPCS

Celebration Day

MORE than 30 staff and volunteer chaplains, from Ayr to Aberdeen, took part in WPCS’s Celebration get-together in Adelaide Place Baptist Church on Thursday, Sept 12.

It was a time for sharing, with input from Trustees, National Director Rev Iain McFadzean and the chaplains themselves and an opportunity to find out more of what the future holds for the charity.

In her opening address, Rev Jan Adamson, chair of WPCS’ Board of Trustees explained the aims and structure of the eight-strong board, drawn from representatives of Christian denominations, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in Scotland; Standard Life, the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and the Scottish University and College Union (UCU).

Jan, a former senior executive in the Hospitality and Leisure industry, is an ordained minister and Field Officer for Local Mission and Development for the United Reformed Church of Scotland. She has been associated with chaplaincy in the workplace for the past decade, initially with WPCS ‘s predecessor, the Scottish Council for Industrial Mission Trustee (SCIM).

Those skills and experiences have proved extremely valuable as she helps provide the all-important structure needed to underpin the mission and ministry of the workplace chaplains and volunteers. Thanking them for their passion and commitment and assuring them of the Trustees’ continued support, Jan told them: “You are the Gospel shining in what for many can be a darkened world.”

Fellow Trustee, David Lonsdale, assistant director of CBI Scotland spoke of the continuing need for WPCS even as the economy begins to show signs of recovery: “There are hopeful signs certainly, but even asthe economy returns to growth, the work of workplace chaplaincy will continue to be relevant, as even a growing economy means some firms and sectors will encounter economic challenges,” he explained.

Before a short question and answer session the National Director outlined WPCS’ rapid evolution from a tiny organisation just three years ago, to the widespread mission it has become today, with 82 volunteers, 11 staff chaplains, making “meaningful contact” with an astounding one million people in the past year.

What will future for WPCS look like?” Rev McFadzean asked the chaplains.

I have no idea, but it will be exciting. We are still involved with the story and the writer is only revealing a few pages at a time. We need to share it. In a world so desperate for certainty, we have that certainty, but based on faith and trust in God who sent His Son to show and tell and prove, that nothing cannot be forgiven or overcome, not even death, because he has the Kingdom the power and the Glory – or to translate that into the language used in the environments we work in – worldwide marketing rights, brand name dominance and product superiority!

How would you describe WPCS? Answer:’Vision, enthusiasm, compassion, professionalism, humility, flexibility and service.”

Study and Prayer during the day was led by Rev Martin Fair of St Andrews Parish Church, Arbroath.

And finally, some thoughts from the floor: “The role of a chaplain is diverse, from supporting the store football team to becoming something of an expert in making out babies’ Ultrasound scans. What a privilege! But the high point for me, so far, has been the day I was involved in two weddings which resulted from the chaplaincy established by Angus Industrial Mission – later to become Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland.

For me as a chaplain this was a wonderful, joyous, emotional, day. There was a strong sense of the Lord’s presence at both weddings and I could empathise with the Psalmist’s: ‘Who am I Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me thus far?’

There have been many encouragements over the last five years, but this, for me, has to be the best. Lord I give You all the praise due Your holy name.”

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