I’ve been back home for a couple of days now. I’m just about re-climatised. Although my head started spinning when I went into Morrison’s. It was so jam packed. And the choices.
For nearly two weeks I’ve enjoyed life as a chaplain on a very remote island. No shops. No cards. No noise. Well, apart from the eerie cry and call of tens of thousands of Manx Shearwaters that come back to their burrows at night laden with fish for their chicks.
The Chaplaincy role is ‘full on and full time’ as in I didn’t all of a sudden not be the island chaplain, whether I was swimming in the sea, leading services or enjoying a cup of tea, I was still very much the island chaplain! But it is also a role that affords lots of time to pray, reflect, create and simply ‘be.’
Here is a short film about serving as chaplain on Bardsey this year. I hope it captures the joys and beauty of the island. It’s a ‘thin place.’*
*= where the space between heaven and earth is thin.
Thanks Chris, great blessings via the ether!
Thank you Pam!
What a great snapshot of your work there on the island.
What a beautiful place and beautiful work. So looking forward to learning more about your work as a chaplain!
Thanks Tammy!
Enjoyed watching this, thanks Chris! Jess Stott
Thanks Jess!
I had never heard of Bardsey before – it’s stunning. What a wonderful place to bring people in contact with Jesus.
It’s a beautiful place! Thanks for your comment!
I really felt that I need to go to Bardsey. Loved reading about your work there, Chris. Looking forward to hearing more.
Thanks Tanja- when things are back to ‘normal’ come and visit! It’s stunning.
Fascinating insight into such a creative way of doing chaplaincy – gave me a new perspective. Love your paintings!
Thanks Jackie. As you will discover I’m simply using what is in my hand and ‘doing what I do!’ (Further lectures will expand on this!)
great how you are able to use your creative giftings in such a way which displays your love of people and of God. definately not my image of chaplaincy!
Thank you Jenny! I’m pleased you have seen a new image of chaplaincy!
Thanks Chris. What an inspiring island!
Thanks Kate!
Thanks Chris great to hear you had an impact on people’s lives. What a beautiful Island.
Thanks Steve.
What a fantastic calling to an extremely beautiful and isolated place. The community must feel so blessed by your presence.
Thank you Jane. It really is a ‘thin’ place.
Such a beautiful place. Struck by the light and the simplicity.
Thank you Theresa. It’s a magical light that shines, like a ‘Naples yellow’ kind of light. I’m going to miss being there next week as the island is all closed up in this Covid-19 pandemic. 😢
This is so inspirational! I can’t wait to learn more from you on the chaplaincy module!
Thanks Toni! Thank you also for your postcard you sent!
Loved the role your daughter played in this. So creative and down to earth- inspiring to hear the story. Thanks Chris!
Thanks Lisa!
Oh wow Chris that is so deeply inspiring and Abba spoke to me through that video in a way that is going to stay with me and lead me on, in a way that I wasn’t expecting. Thank God for you and God bless you and Millie and the Island of Bardsey and all who live or visit there.
Thanks Sam!