Chaplains Prayer & Info

Johanna Childs

East Scotland

Life is getting much busier now that restrictions are being lifted. Glasgow is no exception. Glasgow Central has a new Station manager, Drew Burns. Please pray for him and his new responsibilities in his role. Trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow are getting pretty busy and the opportunities to support railway staff are getting more frequent. My experience is that staff would easily share their experiences of lockdown and the effect it had on them. Listening to their stories creates opportunities to reflect on issues like loneliness, togetherness, life, death and the purpose of it all. I pray for wisdom to touch everyone I spend time with, with the love and grace of God.

Dereck Grant

North Scotland

Now, with lockdown restrictions lifting it has become noticeably clear that there are a lot of people struggling with mental health issues in my area. In fact, modern technology has helped me to stay in touch with people and my work colleagues. Still, people need to know that we genuinely care about their welfare, so an encouraging text message to someone who has lost a friend, or a family member can make a big difference. However, there is nothing like meeting people in person and talking to them. Therefore, the more I talk to people the more I discover that mental health issues are worse than I could have imagined. For example, I spoke to one broken father who lost his son recently. Obviously, the father is struggling over the loss of his son. Yet, he believes that a simple faceto-face conversation might have made his son’s death preventable. So, my prayer is to be in the right place at the right time to help those who need to talk because it can make a difference!

Recently my work has continued to be a mixture of supporting from home and getting out to visit my major stations and making reconnections.

There has been a surge in requests for my help with facilitating memorial benches, plaques in memory of those who have sadly passed away, a memory wall and a clock to remember a muchloved railway employee. I guess the last year has brought into sharp focus loss

Angela Levitt-Harwood

Great Northern, LNER, York to Kings Cross London

and alongside restricted funerals the desire to bring further closure.

Staff are happy to see us out and about again and if anything, seem to have a deeper desire to both understand and utilise the breadth of services we provide.

Going forward I'm sure we will be increasingly called upon to support situations that have occurred as a consequence of the pandemic and your prayers for our health, strength and resilience will be even more important and for which I say thank you in advance.

As COVID-19 loosens its grip on our world, I have spent some time simply travelling about, trying to get a feel for how people are. It has been wonderful to catch up with some friends in person, and to hear their stories of working (and sometimes home) life during this strange year. Railway people are aware that they have been protected from the worst of the economic effects of the pandemic, although they have been exposed to its health risks. As restrictions begin to lift, I find that their spirits are also lifting, and they are thinking more about their futures. The railway family has been amazing, keeping goods and people moving safely, and I pray that they will be recognised and rewarded for their service to us.

Writing as we approach Pentecost, I see signs of new life everywhere. Let’s thank God for them.

What an exciting time I had as I stepped on to the platform at an unmanned station, to start my station visits after working from home for several months. First couple of non-stop trains, greeted me with a vigorous hand wave. The feeling of travelling was quite emotional, I felt like a child in a theme park. It was lovely to be in my familiar workplace.

Following up with 18 serious injuries and fatalities in four months from home was normal. Now, out and about visiting, I hear about the weddings being postponed difficulties with homeschooling children, divorce, illness,

Graham Whitehead

West Highlands and Central Scotland

Michele Ashton

London East, Anglia, Abellio East Anglia, c2c, TfL East

Be a friend. Just ask.

www.ruoktoday.co.uk

Chaplains’ Prayer & Info

tension in relationships, and so the list goes on. All issues being faced by those keeping the railway operational. What immense pleasure I feel to walk side by side with staff and support them as they work.

From one cancelled appointment to supporting BTP officers responding to an emergency. There is never a dull moment, and you never know what is around the next bend.

I have recently joined the Railway Mission chaplaincy team, but already been encouraged by the support of my fellow chaplains. It has been a strange experience starting under lockdown but just like everyone else it has been a case of making the best of the situation and learning new skills such as video communications. As restrictions are beginning to ease, I am enjoying visiting more of the station staff and starting to build relationships with them. Sometimes it's just conversations over lunch where people feel they can open up and talk freely about things they are struggling with. It is a privilege to be able to support the railway family in this way. Please pray that I will be accepted by staff as I move through the different stations and for more opportunities to communicate Jesus in the day-to-day stuff.

I have been really encouraged by phone calls and emails that I have been receiving from railway staff looking forward to meeting up again in person as restrictions start to ease. Though I do wonder whether some of these invites have come off the back of the rumour that I might bring biscuits!

Towards the end of May, East Midlands Railway will be introducing new services due to major electrification work. Also, a result of this work, a new depot has opened along with regional offices.

Please pray for the smooth integration of these new services into the timetable; me as I seek to build on existing relationships and forge new ones at these new facilities that have opened; the steady increase in rail passengers across the network; all the chaplains as we reconnect with staff over the crucial reintegration time that the coming months bring; that we have ears to listen, and our words are inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Philip Brawn

Greater Manchester & The North West

Colin Fraser

East Midlands Railway, London St Pancras

John Roe

Great Western Railway, Paddington, TfL West

It has been encouraging to be able once more to meet many Railway workers face to face at stations, and by invitation to some depots and offices, now that travel restrictions are being relaxed. Through these renewed informal engagements, we are once more a visible presence of support, and agents of hope to those in need. Many office-based railway staff continue to work fully or partly from home at this time, increasing the risk of loneliness and isolation. I thank God for the invitation and opportunity to work with senior railway management, through Wellbeing Focus Groups, to re-connect and support home-based staff.

Recently I was asked to take the funeral of a 91-year-old retired driver. For more than 10 years I have been going to the reunions and he was always there, chatting and joking with his friends. His daughter had arranged for a member of the family to read two poems. Sadly, just before the funeral he tested positive for COVID-19 and so could not come. I read one of the poems and I asked a retired railwayman friend to read the other. The friend had known him for years and had fired for him in steam days and later been a guard and often worked the train he was driving. I lent the guard my green flag that I sometime use as a visual aid in worship services. After reading the poem, the guard waved the green flag and shouted “Right-Away driver! Have a safe final journey!” His daughter was really pleased! The wonder of the gospel is that, because of Easter we know that all can have a safe homeward journey, if we trust in Jesus our Saviour!

David Hardy

West Midlands, Gloucester, Retired Railway Staff

Dylis George

Southeastern, GTR for South Eastern routes, TfL South

Chaplaincy support and pastoral care continue, and I am excited to journey alongside staff who just need a shoulder to lean on. At this juncture, I have had emails from staff who are contacting me for the very first time. Exciting times indeed to link up, have a chat and be in a position to encourage and proffer strength in dealing, primarily, with the challenges of post COVID-19 amidst other cares of this world.

I look forward to re-engaging and reconnecting with my railway family

Chaplains’ Prayer & Info

upon the resumption of face-to-face contacts. I have been working closely with the Wellbeing Manager of Southeastern trains in doing station visits in the last six months and it has been absolutely brilliant to touch base with staff on duty. There are proposed wellbeing days scheduled at a number of stations in June that will give me the opportunity to reconnect with staff and an opportunity to engage with new staff members.

‘Great to see you, glad you’re here. Chris is our Chaplain’ (talking to a few newer members of the railway team).

I have the great fortune to be invited and trusted to talk with many railway people who have experienced or witnessed the traumatic side of the railway industry. I was recently invited to a Network Rail Depot and then a South Western Railway main hub and warmly welcomed with the above greeting. In the area l cover (WaterlooWeymouth-The Isle of Wight-Waterloo), it is truly overwhelming to know so many of the railway family have that confidence and trust in me to share their life stories, experiences and traumas. Not, however, as overwhelming as the experiences and life stories l am privileged to hear. Always happy to listen and chat. I may, however, steer clear of talking football, particularly as my team have just opted out of the Premiership!

Christopher Henley

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

Mike Roberts

North West, North Wales, Liverpool

Imagine you’ve been doing the same journey for years, and then suddenly someone has changed the layout of all the roads? It can feel a little like that on the railway at the moment. Whilst you hear politicians talking about “building back better” after COVID-19 there is much anxiety around how the railway will return as social distancing eases.

Please pray, in this forthcoming period of inevitable change, that chaplains may be able to be there for managers, directors and front-line staff.

I’m giving thanks for an openness in the industry at the moment and a huge desire to enable the work of Railway Mission to expand. One director spoke of the “unique value” that chaplains bring, and, in a tough year, I’m thankful for that value, which we know comes from our hope and faith.

I’d also value your prayers to get to know the teams I’ll work with in North Wales, as I’ve started to cover that area this year.

Helen Bartlett

North East, Newcastle

Resourcing ourselves is essential to wholesome support for others. Praying as chaplains is vital for our wellbeing. Enjoying a week’s leave; and having both my ‘jabs’ are all essential to safeguarding myself for the role.

Staff still face enormous challenges in keeping trains running.... and running on time. Stations still have vulnerable people. Staff keep encouraging support of others facing difficulties.

The past few months have involved four trips on a train, and taken in the ‘20 years Great Heck Anniversary’ (over 1000 viewers online). I’ve been involved with Network Rail Multi-Faith Network ventures, including their Conference (doing a taster session on Christianity), a number of on-line meetings, and I’ve supported a few individuals after rail fatalities. I’ve had the opportunity to meet up with Northern and CrossCountry Directors. Life goes on and so does the chaplaincy. Chaplains have met together in Newcastle. Great fun. God is good to us.

Helen Lewis

South & Mid Wales & The Marches

I am privileged to work in the beautiful land of Wales, and I cover the rail network from the South Wales coast, as far north as Shrewsbury and west to Pwllheli. When I joined the Railway Mission in February this year, restrictions imposed by COVID-19 made visiting rail installations and meeting railway staff difficult.

Thankfully, as restrictions are slowly easing, I am now able to begin travelling around the network, getting to meet staff and offering support for whatever issues they may be facing on a daily basis. Please do pray that these initial encounters would be well received and

EmergencyUK.com

Emergency Services Show 7-8 Sept 2021 NEC

Chaplains’ Prayer & Info

that I would be aware of, and able to meet with those who need help. However, as excited as I am about meeting so many new people, I am more excited at the possibility of them meeting Jesus. Please pray that in all my interactions I would both reflect Him and point others towards Him.

John Robinson

Southern, Gatwick Express, GTR for Southern Routes

I have recently taken on the Jubilee Line, the first time that I have worked with London Underground staff. My first meeting was with the London Bridge Area Manager, who was very receptive towards Chaplaincy support and happy for me to meet all her staff on shift.

From that first meeting, one of the staff has been in touch and the Railway Mission contact details will now appear in a book that she is publishing on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of railway staff. As so often, God is one step ahead and I am very grateful for that!

As well as your prayers for Underground staff, please pray that I am able to reach out to the British Transport Police at Croydon, who have

substantially increased the officer numbers in recent weeks. I am now planning visits to meet all the officers in

Andrea Smyth

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

person!

I’m reading a book about intimacy at the moment. About the link between our intimacy with God and our intimacy with other people. Last week I spent some time supporting a young police officer who has just been diagnosed with PTSD.

A couple of weeks ago I was supporting a young woman who is an abusive relationship. Someone said to me today, do these people sometimes see you as their mum? And I thought, how true! The level of intimacy required on occasions like these, which chaplains face, is akin to being that person’s family member. And in order to bring that intimacy, we must also have that same intimacy with our Heavenly Father, who knows us and loves us despite all our faults. Please pray for

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Stephen Rowe

Area Manager London & The South, TfL Central

your chaplains as we seek intimacy and trust with and from those we are called to serve.

It's been marvellous to be able to travel on trains and meet staff in situ as the lockdown is eased. We are still cautious and vigilant, but chaplains are about people and, even if it's mask-tomask rather than face-to-face, we have a smile behind the veil.

We are still predominantly working from home, however, and have had discussions about how we can best support lone workers who are feeling lonely working in isolation. Flexible working arrangements will possibly be a part of the rail recovery for some staff, so it's important to find ways of coming alongside to encourage them during this period of change and adaptation.

We do have answers to prayer, though, including one family who are grateful that their special needs son has been able to find new

Andrew Hall

Area Manager North, West

accommodation nearby after having had the previous arrangement end suddenly. Prayer is effective when the righteous seek God.

At last, we are beginning to see the beginnings of a return to the railway. Obviously, this is very desirable at an industry level because of revenue and raison d'etre. It is possibly not quite so desirable to others. I'm sure no passenger really wants to return to overcrowded rush-hour trains and no staff member wants an increase in the number of rude, aggressive, faredodging passengers.

Please pray for all rail staff as they engage with these changes and for the chaplains as we endeavour to support them in their places of work.

There will be some staff who will continue to work from home for some or all of their hours. As a Mission we are endeavouring to establish sustainable ways of engaging with these homeworkers. Please pray for wisdom and inspiration in our endeavours.