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Contact Details:
The City
Centre Chaplaincy,
St.
Andrews Church Annexe,
Newgate
Street,
Newcastle Upon Tyne,
NE1 5SS.
Tel:
0191 232 7935.
Email:
citychap@fish.co.uk
The
Chaplaincy:
The
following explanation of our work has changed very
little in 30 years and will give you an insight to our
role and purpose. We realise this does not encompass all
we do and may not answer all your questions. In fact
part of our job is to ask questions and sometimes
awkward ones. Our work is always open to change and
challenge so please feel free to contact us at anytime.
The
Chaplaincy was established in 1976 as an ecumenical
venture supported by the City Centre Churches of all
denominations; it is based at St. Andrews Church Annexe,
Newgate Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne. Its ministry is to
the commuters who work in the city centre: in the shops
and offices, departmental stores and banks, local
government and many other places of work.
The Aims of the Chaplaincy
-
To
learn the nature of commerce, business and other City
based institutions and firms and to understand the
effects of City working life on individuals and on
groups.
-
To share the insights of Christian belief and faith in
the life and stresses of the City centre.
-
To minister to the needs of individuals and groups
within the City.
-
To work with others toward a more humane society.
General Approach
The
Chaplain is neither a part of Management nor Staff nor
Union but is present only at the invitation of all
concerned. The Chaplain’s role is ecumenical and it
should be apparent that the chaplain is not acting for
any single denomination and is aware of our multi-faith
context.
The Role of the Chaplain
From
what is written above, it will be apparent that the
Chaplain’s role is not so much to be seen in “talking
religion” as in supporting and encouraging the fullest
involvement with everyday life, in a creative and
positive way. We operate in three principal areas and at
all levels:
-
Departmental stores, shops and retail organisations.
-
Business generally, including the business professions
and financial institutions.
-
Local
government, in particular the Civic Centre and the
public services such as the Police.
The work
includes:
(a)
Visiting stores on a regular basis and other
places of business as opportunity affords. Talking with
and listening to people. These visits include Eldon
Square, John Lewis, Monument Mall, the Theatre Royal,
Newcastle Building Society, the Civic Centre, Nexus, The
Gate, our Law Courts and the Emergency Services.
(b)
Taking part in training courses such as Equality
and Diversity. Membership of policy discussion groups.
(c)
Establishing and maintaining a presence within
organisations that are a part of the City’s business and
commercial life.
(d)
Creating opportunities for people to meet
informally across the boundaries of their own
occupations.
(e)
Arranging discussion groups at the Chaplaincy and
elsewhere to share ideas on specific issues of common
interest.
(f)
Fostering interest among Christians of all
denominations and supporting them. Working with people
of other faiths. Asking how does my faith relate to my
work?
(g)
Co-operating with others in arranging conferences
or other meetings for the benefit of commerce and
industry.
(h)
Caring for people in need from the City Centre
and providing them with practical help. We have worked
on projects involved with homeless people, ex drug users
and prostitution in the city.
(i)
Addressing organisations and other interested
groups on the work of the Chaplaincy.
Management Committee and Trustees
This is
a group of people involved in the life of the City
Centre; its role is supportive and advisory, but also
includes assistance in finding sources of finance. The
present Chair is Mary Coyle.
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