St Peter’s Saltley Trust
From April 2024, the St Peter’s Saltley Trust is to dedicate one third of its annual grants budget to funding…
Chaplaincy to the Annual Frankfurt Christmas Market
6th September 2022
Chaplaincy to the Annual Frankfurt Christmas Market
3rd November – 23rd December 2022
Intentional Listening Presence
 be.friend Birmingham City Centre Retail Chaplaincy is organising for the annual Chaplaincy service to the staff and stall holders of the Frankfurt Christmas Market. Many staff work very long hours and are away from Germany, Romania and Poland for several weeks. The work can be stressful, with both quiet times and very busy times. Chaplains provide a listening and befriending service, and can provide pointers to further assistance. It can be hard for workers to remember what Christmas is all about… 
Revd Elaine Hutchinson, be.friend Team Leader, has offered this Chaplaincy service for the past four years, and it has been welcomed by both the stall holders, staff and the management. The Chaplaincy Team distribute leaflets which have been translated into Romanian, Polish and German languages so that people know exactly what the Chaplaincy offers, which is an intentional listening presence. Elaine is looking for Chaplaincy volunteers for the six-week period from 4th November, who would be able to give a couple of hours a week. Polish, Romanian and German speakers would be very welcome!
Training for new Volunteer Chaplains to the Christmas Market will be provided by be.friend. This training, which is compulsory, will consist of half a day’s introductory training and is specifically for those with no previous Chaplaincy experience of the Christmas Market. The date will be Tuesday 4th October 2022
12-3pm with refreshments at The Church at Carrs Lane, Carrs Lane Birmingham B4 7SX.
For enquiries email Elaine Hutchinson at chaplain@carrslane.co.uk or call 0121 643 6151 or Mobile 07595116959
Who is be.friend?
be.friend is an established ministry which provides Chaplaincy and a listening presence to the retail sector of the city. The Chaplaincy has an existing team of 11 volunteers, and has vacancies: contact Elaine at chaplain@carrslane.co.uk if you would like more information.