Chaplaincy is a formal arrangement for ministry within a particular organisation. Corin Child, the vicar of St John’s, has two official roles as chaplain – one to the College of West Anglia (King’s Lynn campus), and the other to the local squadron of the Air Training Corps. Although chaplaincy takes time and effort – getting to know the people, culture and procedures of a different organisation – it has the great advantage of taking church to where people already are.

 

Christian scripture and teaching has much to say to people who are forming their values and making sense of the world. As a 12-year old, Jesus of Nazareth was engrossed in the business of gaining wisdom (see Luke 2:46-52), and there is a whole section of the Bible referred to as the ‘Wisdom Literature’.Becoming wise to the world around us is as important today as when the Bible was written, and this idea underpins much of what chaplaincy is about.

 

The College of West Anglia is a major provider of education and training in the Eastern region, with a large campus close to the centre of King’s Lynn. Many students are school leavers attending further education courses, although higher education, work-based learning and adult learning are also provided.

 

The role of the chaplain is to be available as a support to students and staff of all faiths and none. Sometimes this includes visiting classes and tutorial groups to discuss moral and social education and Christian faith.

 

The Air Training Corps provides opportunities for young people aged 13-19 to experience activities (including learning to fly and leading expeditions) and to grow in character and responsibility. By foundation each squadron of the Air Cadets must have a chaplain, who formally welcomes new cadets as they promise to “do my duty to God and the Queen, my country and my flag.”

 

The chaplain is available as a support to officers and cadets, and visits regularly to lead ‘padre’s hours’, where aspects of moral and spiritual development are explored. This can be stimulating in a number of ways, and in the past has involved dropping eggs and playing tubas!