Chaplains Prayer & Info

North East, Newcastle

What a time we’ve had. Resourcing ourselves and each other is imperative. We’ve had two deaths in service locally at Network Rail, with two very different funerals, all wearing orange ribbons. The Crematorium was full, and it was pretty packed in the RC Requiem Mass. The wakes were full and respectful, at the start, and folk were emotional. ‘Bereavement’ was the title at the Interfaith Network Rail coffee morning. It is vital that we share our stories when we can. Psalm 23 says ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want’, and talks of ‘still waters’ and ‘restoration.' Sometimes we just need to quietly trust God that He is there, even when life feels upside down.

Area Manager North, West Midlands, Avanti, Chiltern

It's a constant struggle to understand chaplaincy as people-centred and yet have to quantify our activity and demonstrate our value in operational and fiscal terms. Despite this seeming contradiction, we can demonstrate that this small team of wonderful and diligent chaplains are engaging with around 9000 people per year. This ranges from brief encounters bringing encouragement to in-depth sessions with people in desperate circumstances. Some of this emanates from supporting staff in the wake of around 400 serious incidents. In your prayers, please give thanks for these people of God who bring the presence of Christ into an often dark and difficult workplace.

I always say that there can be no other job like this, even other chaplaincy roles, the work is so diverse. Northern Trains have asked me to accompany 20 ladies who live in the North but have not really left their hometown on a trip to York Minster so they can learn more about the Christian faith which is, of course, a privilege. In addition, I am helping with an engineering project in a school which involves both Northern apprentices and others who might not usually consider working within the railway industry. The day job, of course, continues but do give thanks for the value these companies put on our help and input and the opportunity to raise the profile of the work we do at Railway Mission.

Great Northern, LNER, York to Kings Cross London

Southern, Gatwick Express, GTR & TfL for Southern Routes

One area of staff welfare in which I feel I struggled to make headway last year was the engineering side of Southern Railway. Engineering, whilst very important, can be difficult to access on the railway, as it requires the correct business contacts,

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks… 1 Thessalonians 5:16

with the willingness to allow us to establish a chaplaincy presence. I am very pleased to confirm that I have now undertaken Depot Inductions at two of the three depots in my area, Selhurst and Brighton, with the first two staff members coming forward for chaplaincy support. I would value your prayers for this ongoing access to the depots and that I might also develop relationships with the third depot in my area, at Stewarts Lane.

Great Western Railway, Paddington, TfL West

I have been encouraged by continued increased opportunities and invitations to support and collaborate with those staff working within the rail industry, who are reaching out to their colleagues for their wellbeing. These include Mental Health FirstAiders, Wellbeing Champions and the Occupational Health Teams. Through the events at stations and depots, I have had opportunity to share with railway staff who have responded to invites for 'Tea and Chat/Tinsel', 'Brew Monday' and all kinds of health focus sessions. Particularly encouraging have been opportunities to support the carers, who have opened up and shared about their own issues. I thank God for the number of 'spiritual' conversations and explorations of God. I pray for the seeds sown and further opportunities for faith-sharing.

Bristol Temple Meades

A train driver came to my house around Christmas, and we were able to have a socially-distanced outside conversation. He had received news that his recent Covid test had proved to be negative. 'Thank God,' he said. This opened up an opportunity to say that because of Jesus' death for our sins we really do have much to thank God for. I keep in touch with several retired railway folk. Though some hold strong Christian beliefs, most would not profess anything one way or another. I'm flattered that we keep in touch really. However, one retired manager, who I have helped over the years with various personal and work-related issues, has probably been reflecting on his career, and has expressed his appreciation of all the help. We don't seek human reward, but we are pleased to be 'links in the chain.'

West Midlands, Gloucester, Retired Railway Staff

Some of you know that I enjoy taking photos of the railway and (with their permission) railway people. I have lots. You may ask why. Well, as a trainspotter in steam days at Exeter, but not having a camera, I now regret that so much history was not recorded. On the railway there is always change. Todays ‘normal’ may not last.

An incident recently reminded me of the value of a photo collection. When a well-loved guard I had known over a decade died in service, I was able to send photos to his family. They were grateful and used one in his funeral leaflet. Other pictures were posted on the Bristol Railway Facebook page. I was approached by his railway colleagues who had seen the photos and wanted to talk with me about him. The moral of the story is that if we use our interests and gifts and offer them to God, He will take and transform them for His purposes.

In the days of the old VHS recorders when you paused a picture it shook from side to side and would often ‘freeze’ for a few minutes before it carried on. It feels, in many ways, that the railway and the people who work on it, have been on freeze frame and pause now for almost two years. There’s always been a single eye on words like post-pandemic and recovery. I’m grateful for some of our key industry partners being keen to engage on providing training and support around issues like mental wellbeing, staff inductions, grief and bereavement, and formal processes for incidents such as deaths in service and serious illnesses. Please give thanks for some amazing senior leaders in our train companies who are so keen to involve us more and more in their ongoing work.

North West, North Wales, Liverpool

London North, ARL, Chiltern, Avanti, Eurostar, GTR, TfL North

Amidst the chats about Covid restrictions, working from home, and cuts to staff numbers, I’ve been handing out things which, I hope, have been nice for the railway staff. Over Christmas, my husband and I received about 30 boxes of chocolates, biscuits and treats between us. Both of us are trying to lose weight, so I said I would pass some of these gifts onto staff. A train manager at a depot said to me, when I handed some Bendicks mints to him, ‘you’re just giving your problem to me!’ He was happy to receive one of our lovely calendars though.

Area Manager London & The South, TfL Central

It's always preferable to be able to be out visiting staff, and thankfully we’re once again able to do so. Even when we've needed to follow industry guidelines to work from home where possible we've had opportunity to meet up with people, via virtual meetings, many of whom are located in different regions. During a meeting recently on Grief, chaplaincy was commended for the way in which it helps provide comfort and care to the bereaved. You never know when someone is listening in and noting how we provide support.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks… 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Wall-to-wall meetings on some days have also led to doors opening into new areas with fresh initiatives. We may be homebound on occasion, but we are also out there in the world of rail reaching out.

Sometimes in the north of Scotland, the rail network work may seem quiet. However, the minute you think the railway is going to run nice and smoothly, then comes along a storm. This literally happened with fallen trees causing major disruption on the rail network in the north of Scotland. Sadly, I had more fatalities to deal with in December compared to the previous eleven months combined. Therefore, it is heart breaking following up these fatalities because they are not just a statistic but a real person. Personally, I believe in the power of prayer, and it may be time to pray over these places once again. Please pray that people will get the help they need before it is too late. Another whole year is upon us. My prayer is that the Lord will continue to use me as his hands, feet and mouthpiece in these times. Refresh, Reconnect and Reassure: - my three main keys to forge ahead in my chaplaincy vocation . Refresh - to refresh my outlook on how the world has evolved and the best way to support managers, staff and officers alike is crucial. I have booked appointments with station managers to work alongside them in supporting their teams. I aim to reconnect with both the old and new staff members whom for obvious reasons, need to be connected to chaplaincy support. Finally, your prayer support is necessary as I aim to bring reassurance by just 'being there' for our management and staff alike.

North Scotland

Railway Mission seeks a Fundraising & Marketing Trustee

Closing date for applications March 18 2022 visit railwaymission.org/opportunities

Southeastern, GTR for South Eastern routes, TfL South

East Midlands Railway, London St Pancras

I was helping with a local community rail project at an unmanned station on my patch recently. We were there to clear the station grounds and install some planters in the car park. I attend these types of events from time to time as it brings out people from the train company, people that normally work behind the scenes in various offices.

At this particular event, both the regional route director and regional HR director for Network Rail were also participating. So while clearing the physical grounds at the station it served as a great way to reconnect with people of influence within the railway. This resulted in the maintaining of good working relationships and they offered to assist in any way they could in promoting the role of chaplaincy especially as people start to return from home working. Please pray for all the chaplains, that there are more natural encounters with people of influence within the railway that can promote, champion and where necessary clear the way chaplaincy.

West Highlands and Central Scotland

Returning to work after a much-needed Christmas break meant coming straight back to places where we chaplains are most needed, supporting people after traumatic incidents and difficult times. It is exciting and rewarding to be present where we are needed, as well as important. Chaplains don’t always know whether what they have done has been the thing people most need, we just try to do the right thing, but I have been encouraged by some conversations recently which suggest that even I am doing something useful. Please could you pray that we never lose sight of our mission to love and care for people, and that we will all be

encouraged, by each other and by God, as we go about our daily lives.

London East, Anglia, Abellio East

Cambridge station experienced a big disaster during heavy rain fall, the ceiling fell down in the concourse just missing the staff with the impact but wetting several of them through. The station is now undergoing major improvements and if you have the chance to visit the station and look up you will see the hole that has been left. I was storing the Railway Mission New Testaments in a storeroom just off platform three some way from where the disaster happened. To my surprise this storeroom floor was wet with several boxes damaged. My box was also wet, but the New Testaments were completely dry. As I went out that day, I came across someone who wanted to read the Bible and had been exploring many faiths over many years. There in my bag I was able to give him a rescued New Testament. It's amazing how God protects, leads, directs and open opportunities.

South West Railway, Waterloo to the South Coast, TfL South West

"Your railway Chaplaincy has been absolutely invaluable, it has been so good to talk, thank you." I am part of the partnership between Network Rail & Southwestern Railway