Anna Chaplaincy in North Lincs

The following story is copied from the blog of Debbie Thrower, BRF – link
Anna Chaplaincy is part of BRF Ministries brf.org.uk

We're delighted to welcome Kate Ellis to the Anna Chaplaincy network as Anna Chaplain in the Epworth, Scunthorpe and Gainsborough Methodist Circuit of North Lincolnshire.

Kate was commissioned on Sunday October 1 by the Revd Paul Braisdell. She explains how she has reached this point:

'My journey to being an Anna Chaplain, I think, began in 1989 when I graduated. I worked as an Occupational Therapist for more than 15 years before retiring and having several varied jobs. I have had the privilege of supporting friends and family living with dementia, and also along their journey at end-of-life.

My preference as a Therapist was always to work with older people, even though for a time outside of paid work I trained and volunteered as both a Children's Worker and Youth Leader in the Diocese of Sheffield.

My work since retirement, paid or unpaid, has been in the main again with older people.'

In November 2022, I completed Methodist Local Preacher training. I felt drawn to Anna Chaplaincy work during the last months of my course and completed the online training course earlier this year. Revisiting some of what I learned as an Occupational Therapist relit a spark which has prompted me to return to university. I have recently begun a MSc in Dementia with Hull Online University.

My role as lay chaplain in a hospice began in February of this year. My commissioning as a community Anna Chaplain took place, aptly, on International Day of Older Persons, the first of October.


The week before my commissioning I included information on Anna Chaplaincy in a fellowship meeting, as well as at two in-person Sunday services, and in the week since an online fellowship gathering and an in-person Sunday service have given me opportunities to do likewise.


I feel passionate about the ethos of Anna Chaplaincy. I feel sure that experience, studies and faith all weave seamlessly as I offer myself to this ministry with the help of God.