Last year, the Revd Dick Johnson became
the first Joint Lead Chaplain for both West
Mercia Police and Hereford & Worcester
Fire and Rescue Service, alongside
continuing to work with Faith and Work in
Worcestershire (FWW) part-time.
Dick said: “I have always enjoyed
chaplaincy so working with both Services is
an exciting opportunity. The two services are increasingly working more closely together
so it makes sense to have a joint chaplain.”
Dick began chaplaincy with the Fire Service in 2007 as part of his work as Industrial
Missioner with FWW. The work was valued to the extent that the Service has now allocated
funds to a partnership with West Mercia Police that employs Dick for three days a week.
“Much of my role is about listening,” Dick said. “Quite often I’m talking to staff about
what is worrying them and it has little, apparently, to do with God and faith. But of
course it does, as the work of emergency services, with all its tragedy and success,
is very much part of God’s world. It’s about being a Christian presence keeping the
rumour of God alive in a largely secular world. A particularly important part of my role
is to provide support to crews who have been to difficult incidents – giving them the
opportunity to talk through that experience with someone independent and process
what they’ve seen.”
The Joint Chaplain role makes up 60% of Dick’s time, with the other 40% funded by the five denominations involved in Faith at Work in Worcestershire. “I’m a full time Chaplain
with a number of portfolios. It’s challenging, but immensely fulfilling and enjoyable.”
Please pray for Dick and those in the Police and Fire and Rescue services with whom
he works.
Stourbridge Deanery – Rural Dean: Andrew Sillis; Lay Chair; John Nicholson
The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea: Archbishop Allan Migi
Diocese of Newcastle: Bishop Christine Hardman with Bishop Mark Tanner (Berwick)
Diocese of Moere (Molde) (Norway): Bishop Ingeborg Midttoemme
