Dear Circle of Hope,

Over the past ten years of ministry life in the Northern Rivers I have been deployed as a Disaster Recovery Chaplain during three of the major disasters that have impacted this region. This privilege has resulted in the opportunity to spend time in evacuation centres and in the community supporting numerous people who have encountered loss, grief, trauma and suffering, as their homes and belongings have been threatened, damaged or destroyed.

Although at times I still feel new to this type of care (I probably always will), I have learnt many things along the way. What comes to mind as my deepest learning is that when it comes to supporting people in their hour of need, the most impactful thing is your presence in their present.

Chaplaincy, pastoral care and spiritual care all centre around presence. The knowledge that another human being is with you as you find your way in some of life’s most challenging moments, is a profound source of comfort and hope. Sometimes you might speak, sometimes you might assist practically, but in the main the most important thing that you can do is to simply be with the person as they find themselves in the midst of their circumstance.

Another noticing through my experiences is that your presence enables people to be drawn into the present. After such traumas, people often oscillate between reliving the past and the enormity of what has occurred and wondering about the future and their uncertainty about the way ahead. Your presence enables them to come back to the present moment. It allows them to feel safe and supported so that they can breathe and be. This creates a pause, allowing them to rest from the recent tragedy or suffering and refresh in the present, before they engage in the recovery and rebuilding process.

Not all of us are called into disaster emergency situations but all of us have people in our lives who face the reality of pain, suffering, loss, grief and trauma. Your presence can make a significant and memorable difference for another human being. May you take opportunities to be present with people as they face the difficulties that life brings their way and as you do so, remember that your presence in their present can be a powerful source of hope, comfort, support and healing.

Thank you for being part of our Circle of Hope.

Grace and peace,

Phil