Take my yoke upon you…

Published on: 20 February 2023

People face many challenges as they adjust to a terminal illness. Chaplains work within the team of hospice specialists who assist people to live as well as they can by managing symptoms, offering spiritual and emotional support and promoting the best possible quality of life.

“As a Chaplain”, says the Revd Helen Garrard, “my focus is always the person in front of me. I work with people of many different faiths and those with none; my inspiration is Christ. People are often heavy laden, with many questions and worries as well as hopes and longings. Often as we support others, we feel the weight of all they carry. It is only by taking upon ourselves the yoke of Christ that we can do this. To know that he is alongside guiding, sharing, blessing, nurturing, and offering a hope beyond the end of this life, gives me inspiration and joy in the work I do.”


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Pilgrim

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Ruth Vaughan, church warden at Christ Church, Eaton, has four god-children. It’s a while since their baptisms and they’re now young adults but, as well as praying for them, she still does her best to be a nurturing Christian presence in their lives.

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Christian Aid Week

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Being part of something beautiful

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A royal anointing

On Saturday, King Charles III will be anointed. In the UK, anointing monarchs with oil probably began with King Edgar’s coronation in 973. But much earlier than that, the Old Testament describes the royal anointing of Saul, David, Solomon and Jehu. So what might this ancient sacrament mean?

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Encouraged to step out in prayer

“When I was asked to lead the prayers, I was horrified” says Eddie, member of St Helen’s, Costessey. “Was I afraid of getting it wrong? Was I too comfortable with reduced responsibility? Hearing that it was to help more men be involved in prayer challenged me.

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Eco Church journey

“Starting the journey may seem daunting,” says John Greenaway, Earlham parish’s Eco Church co-ordinator, “but the secret is to take things step by step.

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Faith in the family

Supporting the faith of children in the home can be challenging. The Revd Tony Heywood shares what he does with his family: -

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Nurturing the whole person

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A nurturing environment for growth

“I wanted to offer something last year to mark the ‘Prayerful’ focus of the Diocesan Vision,” writes Eleanor Langan, Rector of St Helen’s, Norwich and Chaplain of The Great Hospital, “so I invited Susanna Gunner to lead her “Pondering Prayer” morning here.

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