Festivals
The Chaplaincy Team appreciates the diversity of faith and beliefs within the hospital and community.
Please find a link below to the interfaith network page to see the list of Festivals for this year.
Ramadan 2021
The Chaplaincy Team were involved in handing out Asian sweets as part of Eid Mubarak celebrations across the Trust.
Diwali 2021
In recognition of Diwali and members of the community, patients and staff who celebrated this festival, the hospital Chapels were lit differently to celebrate the festival often referred to as the festival of lights.
Armistice Day and Remembrance Day 2021
In honour of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday and in recognition of being a veteran aware organisation the Chaplaincy Team held services within the Chapels on Thursday 11th November 2021 and Sunday 14th November 2021. Service times coincided with the two minute silence held at 11:00 to remember and honour service men and women. Whilst the numbers in the Chapel are restricted to six people at any one time in line with the COVID-19 risk assessment, three of the four services were at full capacity with additional staff participating in the corridor to maintain social distancing.
The Chaplaincy Team asked veterans and reservists working within the Trust what this time meant for them, here is what they told us: Remembrance Day 2021 – SaTH
Inter Faith Week 2021
During Inter Faith Week (14th – 21st November 2021) and the Chaplaincy Team are invited staff to join them for ‘Coffee and a Convo’ to learn more about developments taking place within the Chaplaincy Team to provide a multi faith service.
Advent – December 2021
People were invited to join the Chaplaincy Team for a hot drink and a mince pie during advent to learn about the recent expansion within the team, and learn more about the services the team provide.
Parinirvana – 8th February 2022
This is a Mahayana Buddhist festival that marks the death of the Buddha. It is also known as Nirvana Day. Buddhists celebrate the death of the Buddha, because they believe that having attained Enlightenment, he achieved freedom from physical existence and its sufferings. To celebrate and raise awareness the Chaplaincy Team invited people to write names of people important to them who had died to remember them throughout the week in the Chapels.
Easter – April 2022
The Chaplaincy Team collected donations of Easter eggs throughout March 2022 to provide support to local families who needed a little help from the Easter Bunny.
A total of 84 Easter eggs and treats have been donated and shared with: Telford Crisis Support Food Bank and Shrewsbury Food Bank and will be very much appreciated by families in our local community.
Shavuot – June 2022
Flowers serve as a reminder of the Spring harvest and that when the Israelites arrived at the base of Mount Sinai, they found it blooming with flowers and greenery.
In recognition of this Jewish festival, children and young people on the Children’s Ward have made flower decorations to help decorate the Chapels.
Khordad Sal – July 2022
Khordad means perfection and it is customary on this day to visit the Fire Temple to give thanks.
Thank you posters were displayed in each Chapel and staff were encouraged to place a note onto the sign to identify what they are thankful for. Members of staff participated, giving thanks for the teams they work with, family, friends, health and a range of aspects important to them.
Harvest – September 2022
In recognition of Harvest, and celebrating the food and crops grown across the land, the Chaplaincy Team collected donations of groceries during September 2022 to provide support to local families who needed a little help. A total of 111 items were donated and shared between Telford Crisis Support Food Bank and Shrewsbury Food Bank and were very much appreciated.
Queen’s memorial – September 2022
In recognition of the Queen’s memorial books of condolence were made available to staff in each of the hospital Chapels throughout September 2022, to enable them to pay their respects and commemorate the Queen.
The Queen’s funeral was broadcast in each Chapel on the 19th September 2022, and additional Chaplaincy cover was made available to support patients, visitors and staff who would benefit from additional pastoral support.
Diwali – October 2022
In recognition of Diwali, the Chaplaincy Team invited children and young people in the hospital to paint rangoli patterns to decorate the Chapels in recognition of Diwali. Staff were also encouraged to visit the Chapels to take part in colouring a section on a larger pattern and take away a tea light to honour the festival of lights.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Birthday – November 2022
The UK Sikh Healthcare Chaplaincy Group visited both Chapels on the 9th November 2022 to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday, the founder of Sikhism. The shared prayers were for the wellbeing, recovery, and good spirits of people in the hospital and seek to promote links between the NHS, Gurudwaras and the local Sikh community.
Inter Faith Week – November 2022
During Inter Faith Week in November 2022, the Trust hosted a range of speakers to help strengthen relationships and understanding of diversity between people of different faiths and beliefs. The Chaplaincy Team shared their journey of improvement, highlighting services they provide across the Trust. Further sessions were held daily throughout the week incorporating speakers on the Baha’i, Roman Catholic, Muslim and Humanist beliefs. Speakers helped to increase awareness of simple steps that can be taken to improve patients experience of care when in our hospital.
Armistice and Remembrance Day
The contribution of military colleagues, and ties between the Armed Forces and NHS were acknowledged within the Trust at a special remembrance event. The Trust recognised the contribution of serving personnel, veterans and reservists.
Members of the Trust participated in raising awareness of veterans within the NHS and the work taking place within the Trust to be veteran aware.
Advent – December 2022
During Advent the Chaplaincy Team were involved in a range of activities, these include: publication in the staff newsletter, creating advent wreaths in both chapels, introducing advent remembrance trees to remember loved ones and providing carol singing across wards and departments to share Christmas joy.
Children and young people in the hospital were invited to participate in a Christmas drawing competition. Entries were displayed in the hospital Chapels and on Twitter, in the lead up to Christmas. The overall winning image was made into a Christmas card and shared with inpatients across the Trust in the days before Christmas, reminding them that the Chaplaincy Team were available throughout the festive period to support patients and visitors.
Lunar New Year – January 2023
The hospital Chapels shared information and a display for staff to learn about Lunar New Year traditions in a range of countries. Calligraphies were made available for people to take away with them, as is traditional, to bring good luck for the year ahead.
Holocaust Memorial Day – January 2023
On the 27th January 2023, the Chapels at both sites participated in the lighting the darkness initiative, burning candles to remember those who were murdered for who they were and to reflect that they stand against prejudice and hatred today. Information and resources were made available to inform people visiting the Chapels and raise awareness.
World Interfaith Harmony Week – February 2023
Between the 1st and 7th February 2023, the Chaplaincy Team celebrated World Interfaith Harmony Week through hosting stands outside the staff restaurants and in the hospital Chapels. Members of the Chaplaincy Team engaged members of staff and people accessing the Trust, sharing information on Chaplaincy Services, raising awareness of multifaith provision.
Ash Wednesday – February 2023
On the 22nd February 2023, short services were held and led jointly by Anglican and Roman Catholic Chaplains. Patients across the Trust had an opportunity to be visited within clinical environments. Services were held, enabling staff to attend at the end of their shifts.
Gathering – March 2023
The 10th March 2023 marked the date that the World Health Organisation officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. In remembrance of this date, a short service was held in each of the hospital chapels. The gathering was held to remember the sacrifices made by staff, and those lost directly or indirectly from the pandemic. Recognition was also given to the sacrifices staff make every day to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our population.