Faith at Work in Worcestershire (FWW) is an independent ecumenical charity which exists to encourage and support local churches in their ministry to those in work. The charity supports around 20 volunteers who offer chaplaincy to local businesses, working particularly in the retail sector and Worcester Livestock Market.
Next month, FWW will become a completely volunteer-led organisation as the Revd Dick Johnson retires from his paid role as Development Officer.
Dick said: “The Faith at Work in Worcestershire (FWW) chaplains do an amazing job in their local community. However, there is increasing pressure on the finances of those denominations who have funded FWW over the years, and I felt it was time to retire from my paid role with the organisation, although I remain as lead chaplain for West Mercia Police and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service. I will also still continue working with FWW as Chaplaincy Co-ordinator in a voluntary capacity and am always happy to talk to either individuals or churches about the benefits of chaplaincy and what it might involve.”
FWW have recently completed an impact survey, speaking to people visited by workplace chaplains, the chaplains themselves and others from the churches supporting chaplaincy. 62% of those receiving chaplaincy were positive or very positive about the usefulness of chaplaincy and many felt the chaplains had made a difference simply by providing a listening ear.
One person said: “When I faced a bad time in my life I was able to speak to the chaplain for a long time. She listened and was fantastic.”
Dick continued: “Chaplaincy is a chance to engage with people who might not otherwise ever encounter someone from the Church, and chaplains can be enormously influential on changing perceptions about what church is like. It’s an opportunity for people to ask some of life’s big questions and for chaplains to sow seeds of faith and God’s love.”
The survey also highlighted the benefits to the chaplains themselves. Although they sometimes found it difficult, particularly with the high turnover of staff in the retail sector, chaplains commented that it was an opportunity for them to put their faith into action in a very practical way, being a Christian caring presence, and seeing God at work in the world. Many also had a positive experience of fellowship, prayer, and learning alongside the local team of chaplains they were part of.
“Chaplaincy is all about building connections, being interested in people and not expecting anything in return,” Dick continued. “We train chaplains not to talk about themselves, but to have an open conversation, giving people the opportunity to talk about what’s going on in their lives. It also helps put churches in touch with their local community and reminds them that there’s a world outside of the church building.”
Dick was ordained in 1990 after working overseas with CMS, and as a curate in Southeast London became Chaplain to the Churchill Theatre in Bromley. After spending time serving in the Philippines, in 1997, he began to look for a parish in the UK. However, nothing felt quite right, which led to a decision to take up a post as a town centre Chaplain in Bexleyheath, which included becoming Chaplain to Asda for nine years. When he moved to Worcestershire, he became Team Vicar in the Holy Trinity Team and Chaplain to Redditch Town Centre and part of this role included one day a week as Chaplain with the Fire Service. In 2017 Dick left the parish to work directly, part-time, for the Fire Service and West Mercia Police as their joint Lead Chaplain. This coincided with the two beginning to share an HQ at Hindlip, on the edge of Worcester and allowed Dick to continue working for Faith at Work in Worcestershire for the rest of the week as Development Officer.’
“I have met all kinds of people that I would never have met if it wasn’t for being a Chaplain,” said Dick. “It is the foundation of my theology that the secular world is just as much of a concern to God as what happens in our churches. I start from the perspective that every person I meet is already part of God’s plan. We need to stay engaged with the secular world otherwise there is no way we can understand what God is doing there!”
Faith at Work in Worcestershire will continue to provide support and training for churches and individuals who are interested in workplace chaplaincy. Dick can be contacted on dickjohnson@faithatwork.org.uk.
Celebrating Faith at Work in Worcestershire and thanking Dick Johnson
There will be an event to celebrate Faith at Work in Worcestershire and mark Dick's retirement as Development Officer on Thursday 30 October.
- Evening Prayer in Worcester Cathedral at 5.30pm
- An Evening Reception, 7pm in the Old Palace
The evening will include a finger buffet and drinks, with a time to look at what FWW has achieved, mark Dick’s contribution to this and look forward to how FWW will develop in the coming years. All welcome. Please email Paul Lawlor if you would like attend.
