This week is Pastoral Care Week, recognising the work of spiritual caregivers and the ministry that they provide.
Carinity's hospital chaplains are extraordinary people. Noelene Kidd has been a volunteer chaplain at the Princess Alexandra and Royal Brisbane Women's Hospitals for 18 years.
Around 600,000 patients are admitted every year at the Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital and a team of chaplains attempt to visit those they can. Noelene catches the bus weekly to the hospital and represents Queensland Baptists and Carinity.
Carol Lewins has rejoined the hospital chaplaincy team after serving residents and staff as chaplain at the Carinity Brookfield Green residential aged care community from 2014 to 2023.
Importantly, she has servant heart, making sure that those around her experience a greater sense of belonging.
"It is a wonderful privilege to serve others as a chaplain in Carinity aged care and local hospitals. I look forward to serving the Lord in chaplaincy for many years to come," Carol shares.
Sharon Lihou started the process to become a prison chaplain with Carinity's prison ministry, Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy, just over 18 months ago.
Sharon had previously been a nurse, a social worker, and a school chaplain, and has a heart for those in society that are doing it tough.
Four of Sharon's five kids are boys and having worked predominantly with young men, it just seemed natural for her to work in a men's prison.
Sharon says being able to sit and really listen to the prisoners' stories is an absolute privilege. She finds giving hope to men who are often going through the most difficult and lonely time in their life is "just amazing".
As the school chaplain at Carinity Education Southside, Sonia Davies supports more than 100 young women, many of whom have faced difficulty in their lives.
"Hearing about all the connections she's making, it's clear that Sonia is really making a lasting difference in the culture among the staff and students at Southside," said Claudine Hawkins, Carinity's new Community Development & Mission Engagement Coordinator.
"Listening to Sonia share her thoughts about the school, her colleagues, and the girls, you really get a sense of a community where everyone is working hand in hand to make sure the girls feel a strong sense of belonging."
Sonya's unwavering faith in God shines through her belief that "seemingly insignificant things tend to end up being very significant" and that "though you may feel rejected by the world, God never rejects you".
It is evident that these powerful truths resonate in the positive interactions and uplifting outcomes Sonya nurtures in every heart she touches.
