Helen's Final College Chaplaincy Report
Helen Farman, Great Yarmouth College Chaplaincy Co-ordinator, gives her final report to the College Management Committee before her retirement this summer
Chaplaincy Report 3rd May 2007
Reflections
Reflecting on a term leads me to realise how varied college life can be. I can plan and anticipate, but there will always be the unexpected and the heart-warming ie. A trip to Lidl’s and the Salvation Army with two young ‘electricians’ needing food; a visit to the Learning Development Art Exhibition at the Priory Centre (plus purchase); sharing in celebrations along the Learning Development corridor; chats with ESOL students; enjoying productions by Performing Arts students; fun with the Nursery children, singing and building an Easter Garden (sort of!)……and the list goes on. I feel privileged to have been involved with so many people in so many different ways.
Julia Knights, tutor in Floristry, concluded the term beautifully. As she told the Easter story, she created a wonderful flower arrangement as an illustration of the story; an event enjoyed by all who came.
Summer Term
Dates in the diary and planning in progress!!
8th May A meeting with Daphne King and David Bulkley from the Gideons
14th-18th May ‘Look Good, Feel Good Week’ – involves the provision of information on important issues
relating to students, healthy food and smoothies, plus activity workshops – one being led by
a student teaching juggling skills!! The main event is on Tuesday 15th May between 10.30 and
1.30 in the Conference Room. You are very welcome to come and join in.
28th June World Café with ESOL students. I am considering inviting the local churches to come and
put up displays to show what they have to offer in the community.
3rd July Chaplaincy Presentation – ‘Touching Lives’ 2.00 – 3.30 in the Conference Room
Further Thoughts
During this term I would also like to raise awareness of the Samaritans’ Community Art Project – ‘A Secret Shared.’
This project offers young people the opportunity to share problems through drawing/writing on postcards and posting them to Samaritans – an outlet for hidden emotions.
It has also been suggested to me that as a college we could raise money for one of the students, Claire Allen (studying for a degree in photography), who needs a new prosthetic leg.
Finally…………………
This is my last report and, as my time at the college draws to a close, I think about how quickly the three years have gone since I first set foot on the campus. I also think about the friends I have made and the many lives I have had the opportunity to be a part of. I am truly grateful for all the support I have received and excited about the prospects for the Chaplaincy in the future.
I am disappointed that I never managed to visit and speak to all the churches and I didn’t achieve my goal of finding a link person in each church - maybe that’s for the future.
Also, I received an e-mail recently asking me if we had a Prayer Room/Quiet Room in the college. I had to say ‘no’ but maybe that’s something for the future as well!
Thank you and God bless
Helen
Chaplaincy Co-ordinator at Great Yarmouth College | 