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Follow on Google News | Bedford Town Centre Chaplaincy officially launchedMasterminded and managed by local businessman, Doug McWilliam, Bedford Town Centre Chaplaincy (BTCC) has taken some four years to become reality. It’s an initiative of the town’s Christian churches and has drawn its inspiration from similar chaplaincies already running in Watford and Luton. According to Doug McWilliam: “The Christians in Bedford, working together with others, intend this chaplaincy service to provide a regular, visible and caring presence in the town. It aims to show God’s love for all the community and to enable Bedford to be a happy, caring and welcoming town.” The BTCC, which seeks to complement other related organisations, including Bedford BID and Street Angels, will provide pastoral and spiritual support for anyone who is part of the extended community of Bedford town centre – notably those working in the local government and retail sectors, including market traders. Its chaplains, who are drawn from a number of local churches spanning a number of denominations, receive training in how to offer the appropriate care, comfort and listening ear for each pastoral situation. The launch programme is: 11.00am A March starts at St Peter’s Church (next to the statue of John Bunyan) and will go to Church Square via the High Street, passing St Paul’s Church 12 noon Carol Service in Church (Pigeon) Square 12:15pm Official launch of the BTCC - with an introduction by Michael Campbell (Luton Town Centre Chaplaincy) and prayers by Cass Howes (University Chaplain). Bedford’s Mayor, David Hodgson, will officially welcome this initiative; then the Bishop of Bedford will commission the Chaplaincy 12:30pm The Carol Service continues 1:00pm The Carol Service concludes Among those attending the BTCC launch will be Jenny Dibsdall (Senior Chaplain to Britain’s Waterways), the Venerable Paul Hughes (the Archdeacon of Bedford), the Rev Dr John Scott (the CEO of Workplace Matters (WM), an ecumenical charity which takes Christian values into the workplace and is providing help to get the BTCC off the ground) and Alan Harpham (the Chairman of WM and also Chaplain to Kempston Station of the East of England Ambulance Station). BTCC’s Doug McWilliam commented: “We’re grateful to Bedford’s churches for their encouragement and continuing support for this exciting venture. We’re also grateful for the on-going help we’re receiving from WM, which provides over 60 chaplains to a variety of workplaces - within the police, fire and ambulance emergency services; in manufacturing industry; especially at Vauxhall Motors in Luton; in the ‘town centre retail’ environment; Alan Harpham, WM’s Chairman, said: “Having seen – and supported – the valuable work which town centre chaplains do in Watford and Luton over several years, I’m sure that all those who live, work and shop in Bedford will experience a spiritual benefit from the work of the BTCC. On behalf of WM, I wish it much success as it serves the Bedford community.” End About Bedford Town Centre Chaplaincy This initiative has been instigated and is supported by Christians in Bedford, principally through the town’s churches. Working together with others, they intend this chaplaincy service to provide a regular, visible and caring presence in the town. It aims to show God’s love for all the community and to enable Bedford to be a happy, caring and welcoming town About Workplace Matters (http://www.workplacematters.org.uk/ Workplace Matters (http://www.workplacematters.org.uk/) Further information from: Doug McWilliam, Bedford Town Centre Chaplaincy,01234 311811 Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, +44 (0)1727 860405 End
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