Exploring Chaplaincy was the theme of the Bishop’s Study Day held in Wadebridge this month.

Led by Bishop Hugh and Revd Dom Whitting, the event gave clergy and others space to reflect on the types of chaplaincy available and what is already being provided locally.

With input from Revd Mike Haslam, Chaplaincy Development Adviser for the Diocese of Bath and Wells, the day saw presentations from several local chaplains discussing their work in areas such as police chaplaincy, Air Cadets, Rural Chaplaincy, school and hospital chaplaincy.

Chaplaincy is one of the areas of development identified in many of the deanery plans and in the Diocesan Plan for Change and Renewal.

Speaking after the event, Dom, who is senior chaplain at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, said: “It was great to have a day focussed on chaplaincy, a ministry which can often be forgotten about as it happens on the edge, engaging with those whose experience of church may be non-existent, damaged or very little. Chaplaincy is not necessarily about ‘doing’ but more about ‘being’. For me personally, it is a real privilege to walk alongside people and to “be” with them in whatever they might be facing.”

The day also included time for worship, prayer, space and silence, and of course opportunities for conversation with one another.