News from our chaplaincies

As the chaplains at Newcastle Airport in the UK, Fiona Usher and Alan Meighan were keen to reach out to the staff across the airport. They put together a December Reflection and a small film clip which went out with some suggestions on how to cope with distressing situations. Here are some of them:

“2020   has   been   a  difficult   year   in  so   many ways.  We have suffered with uncertainty, anxiety, isolation and challenges with our financial situation, health or relationships. One thing that can hold us together and help us get through is kindness. Although we can’t change our situation, we can choose to respond to others (and ourselves) with kindness. And when we’re kind, everything goes better. We help others, we help ourselves and we encourage others to be kinder too.


For more info and to download the calendar visit: www.actionforhappiness.org

From ancient scriptures to the latest  science, gratitude  is known to be good for us – it can help us perform better, increase our resilience and improve our physical health. Yet it isn’t always our automatic response – especially at the moment! Maybe, whilst being realistic about life’s ups and  downs, you might also try to find 3 things you can be grateful for each day. Even on a bad day  there  are  some  good things – however small. In tests, people who tried it each night for just  one week were happier and less depressed one month, three months and six months later. Perhaps you could give yourself, your colleagues and loved ones the ‘gift’ of gratitude!”

Thank You Fiona and Alan for these ideas.

 BIIACN are proposing to have a virtual (ZOOM) network meeting on Wednesday 19th May – further details and joining instructions will be sent nearer the time.Please note this is a Wednesday not their regular Tuesday slot

It is hoped to facilitate a discussion around Rebuilding our Airports and in particular Chaplaincy Teams and their presence in the Airport. ”International Airport Review” is putting on a conference on 5th/6th May entitled “Rebuilding Airport”s and that will be used as a basis for their own discussions. For further information please contact Canon Liz Hughes.

Our prayers are with Mrs Bev McNeely at Indianapolis Airport as she undergoes her second knee reconstruction in past few months. Bev is hoping that she will soon be up and about and pain free.

The Rv Canon Jonathan Baldwin from London Gatwick has also undergone some minor surgery and we hold him in our prayers for a good outcome.