After 30 years spent selflessly supporting Brisbane hospital patients, dedicated Carinity volunteer chaplain, Lynne Williams, has retired.
The former secretary says she was inspired to become a chaplain after visiting a friend with cancer in hospital.
After completing a hospital chaplaincy course run through the Uniting Church Trinity College in 1993, Lynne began visiting patients in the Wesley, St Andrew’s and Holy Spirit Hospitals.
Later, as a volunteer chaplain with Queensland not-for-profit Carinity, Lynne volunteered at two hospitals in Brisbane.
Chaplains bring hope, spiritual care and support to people in times of need, and Lynne felt “so blessed to have the opportunity to fly the flag of Jesus”.
“Hospital chaplains come in all shapes and sizes, with very differing temperaments and personalities,” Lynne said.
“My goal as a chaplain was to represent Jesus, to listen attentively and actively, and to be sensitive to the needs of patients.
“People in hospital are often facing major decisions, coming to terms with bad news, or are in shock. We can be a listening ear, just allowing patients to offload.”
Lynne said her interactions with hospital patients – and hearing about their life journeys and differing points of view – was “a real privilege”.
“Each patient is an individual with his or her own story which illustrates to me how each person is unique and has different joys and difficulties and the Lord loves each one,” she said.
“Sometimes I would arrive to visit a patient and would be made so welcome, and they’d say, ‘You were just the person I needed to see today.’
“I have found the ministry wonderfully fulfilling. For me the biggest reward is when I see the Lord at work.”
As well as chaplains in hospital, Carinity has pastoral carers who support people in aged care communities, schools, and correctional centres around Queensland.
“If you love people, are happy to listen and care about the ‘souls’ of people, being a chaplain is a wonderful avenue to serve the Lord,” Lynne said.
Anyone interested in becoming a Carinity chaplain can visit www.carinity.org.au/our-services/chaplaincy.
