C4 mission & outreach
Chaplaincy by its very nature is mission in practice, but what we mean by mission and chaplaincy seems to vary considerably.
1) The term Chaplain is probably derived from the life and legend of Martin of Tours. Martin was a Roman soldier who gave his cloak to a shivering beggar. That night he dreamed that Christ was wearing his cloak, so he became a Christian and devoted himself to service in the church. When he died, his cloak became holy relic and was kept in a little shrine called the cappella. Frankish kings carried the cloak into battle believing it would give them victory. The priests in charge of the cloak and the shrine for these fighting kings were called the capellani, and went anywhere the army travelled. In time all clergy in military were called by this name, which became Chapelain in French and then the familiar chaplain.
2) The term ‘mission’ is defined by CH Spugeon, as ‘one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread’. I like that definition. It draws attention both to the needs of the recipient and to the generosity of the giver: God will not give us a stone when we ask him for bread. I like the equality it underscores. There is no way that an evangelist is any better or on higher ground than the person to whom he is talking. The ground is level round the cross of Christ. The only difference between the two hungry beggars is that one has been fed and knows where the food is always available. There is no great mystique about it. Evangelism is simply telling a fellow searcher where he can get bread. But there is another touch which is important in this definition. It reminds us that we cannot bring this good news to others unless we personally have come to ‘taste and see that the Lord is good’ Ps. 34:8. (Michael Green 1990 Evangelism through the local church, Hodder & Stoughton)
Rev David Stroud: Renewing links with Bishop Daniel
Allotey and the diocese of Cape Coast Ghana
Our Mission and Outreach programme aims to:
- provide availability for worship, pastoral care and prayer
- advise on outward giving and raise awareness of the Universities mission and outreach by all means available.
- encourage greater work amongst ‘churches together’ and ‘Hope 08’ in the Canterbury area
- promote mission agencies and encourage support through prayer and closer contact with the agencies and projects.
- recognise the depth of our spiritual being in all parts of life
- support and promote Fairtrade.
- raise awareness in the University of global issues and injustice.
- raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage recycling.
- reach out side the university walls and seek good relations with the broader community in which we reside.
- be evangelistic in a discrete and non threatening way, raising awareness of the universities Church foundation
As part of our Charitable contributions for 2010-2011 The Chapel of Christ in Majesty will be raising money for The Holy Family, maternity Hospital in Bethlehem.
Today, 800 metres from the birthplace of Jesus Christ, one special door is always open to the poor and destitute expectant mothers; Holy Family Hospital - Bethlehem, a state of the art maternity hospital, because "the poorest deserve the best". This Church foundation hospital offers maternity care to women all over Israel, irrespective of class, religion or nationality. The standard of care they offer is second to none and reflects grace and love. Even through civil unrest and war the hospital has continued to care for all despite being an easy target for soldiers. The hospital runs at a financial loss, as many of those who attend can not afford the medical care they receive, so in order for this hospital to survive it needs to rely on charitable donations. We have seen first hand the quality of the care on offer here and have received welcome and hospitality from all who we met in Bethlehem and therefore have committed ourselves to supporting this worth while venture. We hope you will to.
Rev Dave