An ECFC multi-voiced blog about what’s going at ECFC. This week ECFC Chaplain Debs Munn reflects on her work now and over the past four years in our locality.
Watering holes
Thirsty people come to a watering hole knowing them to be places of connection and refreshment. In the case of the woman at the well who met Jesus, spiritual refreshment was also on offer. Our last blog looked at the positive impact the Police and City Council are bringing to Easton though their Love Easton meetings at ECFC. This time we catch up with ECFC Chaplain Debs Munn and some of her stories from four years connecting with people, finding spaces where deep needs are heard and opportunities offered through connection with God.
Connection with the school
The teachers’ Common Room at Easton Academy is a watering hole, a natural place for connection, refreshment and a listening ear. Deb’s offer of cake and her time to listen to staff in love and truth – was valued and led to extraordinary conversations.
Prayer walks around school with the Head Teacher helped emerge other places like the Prayer tents.
Setting up tents in the playground where pupils could experience the precious time of contemplation and prayer must have piqued pupil curiosity. Debs remembers the evolution of the prayer tents:
“Prayer tents started with a pilot in playtime – anyone could come during break…it was chaotic – everyone was so interested…too many kids, not enough time…and tears at end as not everyone could be accommodated…then another bridge was built as prayer tents moved into ECFC…structured by year groups coming across…this was great because the teacher could be part of it…with time of reflection at the end with each pupil having gone through various differently themed tents.”
The popularity and demand from pupils to experience prayer tents has been a wonderful surprise. Peace amongst the storms. And again, kids said extraordinary things of the experience, after one session in the prayer tent at ECFC a pupil asked what he took away from it said,
“…it’s not what I’m taking with me it’s what I leave behind…I’ve shredded my fears and I don’t need to take them with me.”
Another point of connection that Debs is currently opening up between the school and ECFC is through reading with pupils. A small ECFC team meets a real need for improved literacy. The need is great, so just let Debs know if you’re interested being part of the team.
Listening and Wellbeing
Debs is also offering another place of deeper connection though ‘Listening and Wellbeing’ one-to-one sessions – a space of freedom for people facing hardship to express difficulties and explore the availability of spiritual refreshment:
“People are welcomed into a place of peace, into this well…prayer is always offered and nearly always accepted. Start with lighting candle – light is always more than darkness. Freedom to start where they want. Lots of access points towards the kingdom.”
Each is reminded of their great worth. Debs lays on the table-top things like glass pearls and a cross – representing truths that they are the pearl of great price…so significant that Jesus died on the cross for them. This is not counselling. Rather listening with a spiritual ear. A special space for to people identify kernels of hope in their life, to reframe their stories from worthlessness to hope as a recent participant describes:
“As someone who really struggled with overthinking and chronic inactivity, I would often attend the Listening & Wellbeing sessions with my thoughts all over the place. I found it to be a safe space where Debs had a very non-judgmental and understanding manner and allowed me to speak honestly and openly at my own pace and take things in any direction I felt like. I felt I was really helped to help myself prioritise what matters to me the most and deeply consider and reflect on what my current actions could lead to and whether that matched my actual aspirations. Overall I found the service invaluable and feel grateful to have been referred through social prescribing.”
Action and prayer
Debs is currently widening a base of partner organisations as well as a base of volunteers to enable more Listening and Wellbeing sessions to meet demand. Do think about reaching out to Debs if you have an interest in this, or reading to Primary School pupils. Prayer is at the heart of Deb’s work – do pray for her and the special people she meets and listens to with an offer spiritual refreshment at the well.