Richard Oliver - our new East Kent Lead Chaplain

Who’d have known it 12 months ago? I had decided to take early retirement from full-time ministry, when at the September meeting of Trustees, a discussion was had regarding the possible appointment of a part-time paid post for KWM in East Kent. I sat amazed at God’s timings and plans for my life.

I started to enjoy retirement lifestyle, looking after my 6-month-old grandson 3 days a week… (if you can call that retirement)! Did I really need to go back to work, I began to wonder.

Notice that the job in question, East Kent Lead Chaplain, Team Leader of Port of Dover and Eurotunnel teams and Kent Emergency Chaplain Co-Ordinator, was now live.

Following the recruitment process, I am thankful to be given this task. Hands-on Chaplaincy is not new to me, but setting about new Chaplaincy Projects in varying different Workplace settings is a challenge I wanted to take on.

So, what are the challenges I see…

What came first, the Location or the Chaplains?
Each unique setting has its own intricacies of logistical movement, security and workplace rules.

I am now into my third month and enjoying every minute of it. Excitement brings enthusiasm, enthusiasm brings a sense of urgency to get things done.

With the foundations that had been laid before my appointment, we are now proud to have a functioning Crew Facility Room open at Cruise Terminal 2 in Dover. It provides a much-needed space for crew workers as they come ashore, and perhaps an opportunity for chaplaincy. There are early conversations of other rooms being located in other parts of the Port.

We are now in very positive dialogue with the Management Group at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre in Thanet, with the prospect of starting a Chaplaincy Presence in the near future.

Initial Contact has been made with River Oak Strategic Partners, who are working towards re-opening Manston Airport.

Here is an extract of my main responsibilities, and I ask you to keep me accountable to them whenever you so desire.

• Taking overall pastoral responsibility for East Kent chaplains, particularly lone workers, ensuring practical and spiritual support, enabling chaplains to have mutual support
• Leading/coordinating volunteer teams for Port of Dover and Eurotunnel

• Attend Kent Voluntary Sector Emergency Group (KVSEG) meetings, leading role in Kent Emergency Chaplains Service (KECS)

• Strengthening and engaging links across workplace chaplaincy providers and between chaplains and their hosts

I am biased in my excitement about the future of KWM, and God’s plan, especially it’s development in East Kent.

For me, the words of Proverbs have been, and continue to be, so real: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (19:21)

And for KWM we must trust in God’s word to Jeremiah, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Paraphrase 29:11)

Thank you for having me back, and I will do all I can to repay that trust, and add real value, whilst executing my responsibilities in this post.

Richard Oliver