Chaplain’s Corner

Sometimes I’m at a loss for words...

Although my wife would argue it doesn’t happen very often. During my regular station visits, I often have a few topics in my back pocket to start the conversation. Usually, they are relevant subjects; i.e., sports, the latest news, or something related to the firefighters I am speaking to. These days, I feel the need to carry two lists: a list of topics to engage in and a list of topics to avoid! For the most part, it’s relatively easy to strike up a meaningful conversation with our crews and I value the opportunity to leave a few words of encouragement. Station visits afford us chaplains the opportunity to build friendship and trust.

On other occasions, the visits are more structured, following a critical incident. I’m thankful to be a team member on both our chaplains’ team and our peer support team, in which we work together in providing assistance and care during these moments. There are a number of self-care maintenance checks we walk through to assist crew members and ourselves in processing an incident. It is a great partnership and has proven to be effective.

Having been a minister for almost thirty years, and a chaplain for close to ten of those years, I have experienced a handful of occasions where I was at a loss for words. These moments were often precipitated by an acute crisis, one that was unforeseen, impacting beyond a family or hall. Despite firefighters being trained to bring control to everyone else’s crises, in this experience, everything can seem out of control. During these moments, I turn to another resource, a prayer discipline and say, “Dear God, please help me!”

I recognize that saying a prayer can be seen as a religious activity, but allow me to explain how there is more to it than a religious practice. At a recent conference on faith and chaplaincy, an analogy on prayer was shared of someone walking with a spouse while holding hands. They went on to say, “a lot is communicated in those moments.”

As a chaplain, I respect that many of us have different worldviews and yet there is an array of ways we can support each other, including just being present in a crisis. But on occasion, a chaplain is called upon to pray and it is an honour to walk in that responsibility. It is a relational discipline and communicates a message that we’re in this together. It acknowledges that there are things beyond our control and a need for something greater than ourselves. A first responder once wrote this prayer with a picture of his robe wrapped around a cross: “Dear Lord, upon this robe, I carry the pain, sorrow and fears that I’ve encountered on the job. I am challenged to bear its weight. As I lift it from my shoulders and place it upon the cross, I pray for those who have suffered, please heal my heart and strengthen my will, so that I may faithfully serve you. Amen.” (George Brown).

As always, all our chaplains are here to support all TFS personnel and their families. Let us be present in your crisis, whether to talk, listen, or pray, as we walk through it together. As Bill Withers sang, “Lean on me when you’re not strong and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on…”

North Command Ted Leck 647-461-4047 chaplainleck@gmail.com