Chaplain Derek Brown, D. Min., on cable cars, crabs and collegiality

A Scottish Chaplain’s View of the 2007 APC Conference

Frank Sinatra got it about right when he claimed to have left the seat of his emotions in a West Coast city. I too have fallen for the charm of San Francisco. It wasn’t just the location that won me over, appealing though the attractions of the Bay Area undoubtedly are. I was also captivated by everything the APC conference had to offer.

If I’m honest I’d have to say that the scale of things took me more than a little by surprise. Keeping 850 delegates and speakers occupied for five days is a mammoth task. Whatever dramas were going on behind the scenes were not evident, as everything looked pretty smooth from ground level. So congratulations to all those involved in organising and running the show and thank you for letting me be there!

Being a participant touched me at different levels. At a personal level I was greatly blessed by the warmth of welcome I received from all those I met. I quickly and easily found myself at home among new friends and catching up with one or two old ones, making what could have been a daunting experience very agreeable indeed.

At a professional level I found myself engaging deeply with the topics at the plenary sessions and in the workshops. It was hugely stimulating to discuss with fellow chaplains the issues that arose for us out of the presentations, helping us to lay bare the real reason for us being at a patient’s bedside.

I was also struck by the level of commitment and dedication shown by all the newly qualified Board Certified Chaplains. At present we have nothing comparable in Scotland to the CPE programmes common in the US and progress towards reflective practice is slow. However, it is coming slowly but surely, and I know that we can learn a great deal from you about how things are organised. Listening to the experiences of these newly qualified chaplains made me feel a little bit in awe at what they had done to achieve certification. I couldn’t help wondering if I’d make the grade!

At a spiritual level I was keenly aware of the unity in diversity that was evident throughout the proceedings. Despite the large number of faith groups represented, I sensed that what brought everyone together – our commitment to the patients, relatives and staff in our care – was a fundamental unifying factor. Our labels don’t really count when we enter into the sacred space of another’s suffering. What matters to everyone I spoke with was the engagement with people in a holistic way at the bedside or in the home, so as to fashion a meaning-full encounter at a time of crisis or anxiety.

I left San Francisco much encouraged and enlightened. We have so much in common and so much that we can learn from each other. In our sharing may we continue to build bridges across continents and oceans.

 

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