Greenwich Peninsula Chaplaincy: Chaplains

Chaplains

Chaplains at work on the Greenwich Peninsula

We have a team of chaplains working on the Greenwich Peninsula: in The O2, on the Ardmore and Volker Fitzpatrick construction sites on the Peninsula, at ASDA in the retail park in Bugsby's Way, at Plumstead Police Station, and now a team of at Ravensbourne College. In The O2 pairs of chaplains are allocated groups of restaurants, bars, etc., and there is a chaplain present at some point during the day Monday to Thursday and on Friday or Saturday evening (visiting the nightclubs).

What we do when we are on site

We are available for conversation and listening. All conversations will necessarily be brief, but we can arrange to meet up later to finish a conversation.

We are there to offer support and to ask how things are going. Often people can bring worries from home to work or the other way round which can affect their home or work life, causing stress and unhappiness.

What we don't do

No Chaplain on their own initiative will attempt to persuade anyone of the virtue or truth of the chaplains own Faith. They might employ the resources of their own Faith to respond to expressed spiritual need, and if asked for reasons for their own beliefs then they will be happy to supply these.

Confidentiality

Anything said to a chaplain is assumed to be confidential. It will not be repeated or passed onto anyone else without an express permission to do so.

Sometimes the Co-ordinating Chaplain will bring up subject areas that have been brought up with themselves or other chaplains working on the site. This is more likely to happen if more than one person has mentioned the same issue of concern. Names are never given to the managers or trades unions' officials, or whoever else might be in a meeting. We always depersonalize an issue so that it cannot be traced back to any individual or group of individuals.

The multi-faith nature of the chaplaincy

If you want to speak to a chaplain from a specific religion and it is not the religion of the chaplain you are talking to, please ask and it can be arranged for you. Offence will not be caused by asking for another chaplain from another Faith.

If you have a problem with a Chaplain

If the management, trade union officers or anyone else have concerns about the behaviour of a chaplain, then this should be raised with the Co-ordinating Chaplain in the first instance. His details can be found on the notice boards. Comments can also be made to the Chair of the Greenwich Peninsula Chaplaincy Steering Group — who can be contacted through this website.

Welcomers

Welcomers at work in the Prayer Space on the Greenwich Peninsula

Whenever the Prayer Space is open there will be volunteer welcomers to welcome you. If you would value a conversation then they will be happy to provide that. If it's quiet time on your own that you want then the welcomers will respect that wish. So if you wish to talk to a welcomer then please do.

The Chaplains and Welcomers

Ann Atkins: Christian: Welcomer Ann is a long-term, and fully involved, lay member of an Anglican church in New Cross. After retiring from teaching, she became a community centre manager. She first became interested in inter faith relations in the 1990s. Her studies at degree level in both community work and theology fit well with the exciting work of helping to support the Greenwich Peninsula community. (updated 13/6/11)
Davinder Kaur Babraa: Sikh: Chaplain Davinder practices her faith of Sikhism at the Ramgarhia Temple in Woolwich. She is a retired teacher and now spends most of her time with the British Thyroid Foundation running a help line, organizing meetings and supporting families. Davinder is also asked to speak about her faith to a wide range of people and organisations, including teachers, local authorities and the World Council of Churches. Davinder is a keen walker in her spare time.
Balbir Singh Bains: Sikh: Chaplain
Balbir Singh Bakhshi: Sikh: Chaplain Balbir is an ex-diplomat who has a master's degree in economics and worked as a senior civil servant in the Ministery of Defence. He is chairman of Greenwich Home Start, a trustee of GAVS, VCG and other organisations, and a committee member of UNIFEM and UNA-UK (Greenwich). He is a school governor and was a Director in Citizen's Advice Bureaux. For many years Balbir has related to the various ethnic and religious communities in the borough, and he was nominated for the Heroes Award in 2007. (updated 16/6/10)
Mrs Philandai (Dolly) Baldeo: Hindu: Chaplain
Sheikh Ali Hassan Barakat: Muslim: Chaplain Ali is an Imam and Chaplain for the Oxleas NHS Trust. With a wealth of experience gained from nine years as both an Imam and as a hospital chaplain Ali has chosen to bring these skills to the workers on the Peninsula.
Mr. Andrew Browne: Christian: Welcomer
Sr. Frances Browne: Christian: Chaplain
Brenda Brundritt: Christian: Chaplain I am a welcomer at the Prayer Space and am just starting out on a path of Chaplaincy work both at the O2 and in ASDA’s. I have lived and worked in the borough of Greenwich for the best part of 24 years, most recently working in Charlton Manor Primary School as a Teaching Assistant. Getting to know people of other faiths has led me to an interest in how we can work together towards a more harmonious society. I attend Blackheath and Charlton Baptist Church where I am currently a Deacon. I also lead services and am just beginning a Theology course at Spurgeon’s Baptist College. Most recently I have worked with a charity called Meninadanca, to organise a banquet for 100 people to raise awareness of Trafficking and Prostitution in Brazil. (updated 25/09/11)
The Rev'd Derek Clacey: Christian: Chaplain Derek is Team Vicar in the Church of England Team Ministry of East Greenwich. Born in Dartford, he trained as a quantity surveyor and spent 11 years in the building industry before training for ministry. The last 30 years have taken him away from this area to serve in Nottingham, Harlow, Aylesbury and The New Forest before returning in 2004. Having returned to his roots, he finds it an exciting place to live, enjoys the buzz and diversity of urban life, and is fascinated by the closeness of the take-aways, railway station, buses, Charlton Athletic, and The O₂ Building. (updated 17/06/09)
The Rev'd Martyn Coe: Christian: Chaplain Martyn Coe is a Christian Minister working in Greenwich within the United Reformed and Methodist Churches. Initially a trustee of the chaplaincy, in 2005 Martyn was appointed by his regional church to work in East Greenwich and the Peninsula until 2010. Martyn has since become one of the Chaplains and has stood down as a trustee.
Mrs. Linda Craven: Christian: Welcomer Linda originates from Yorkshire. Before moving to London in 2002 she was a member of the Christian Community at Scargill House in the Yorkshire Dales. Linda works within the Church of England, worships at St Georges Westcombe Park, is an experienced Pastoral Auxiliary, and has a qualification in counselling skills. (updated 09/11/10)
Miss Sarah Davis: Christian: Welcomer
Ms Deborah Dukes: Christian: Welcomer Deborah is research assistant to the Team Rector of East Greenwich Parish. She is looking at how people and faith groups make links in new (built) environments. Deborah has lived and worked in the Americas, the Far East and in Europe. She is interested in new frontiers, identities of people and places, and in listening to your stories. (updated 26/2/11)
The Rev'd Cynthia Finnerty: Christian: Chaplain Cynthia is an Honorary Curate in the Parish of East Greenwich at St. George's Church. She has spent most of her life in this area and she is keen to see the new community develop harmoniously on the Peninsula. Cynthia also enjoys developing local drama projects and keeping up to date with new scientific developments.
The Rev'd Jeremy Fraser: Christian: Chaplain Jeremy's particular focus is on the night time economy in The O2 and on Ravensbourne College. Before being ordained Jeremy had a career in business and politics. Besides being a chaplain, he works as a curate in the East Greenwich Team ministry. He lives in the area with his family. Jeremy has been the deputy co-ordinating chaplain for the last couple of years, and is now the Co-ordinating Chaplain and responsible to the Greenwich Peninsula Chaplaincy Steering Group for the work of the chaplains and welcomers. (updated 31/5/11)
The Rev'd Jean Griffiths: Christian: Chaplain Jean is a Church of England Priest now retired from Her Majesty's Prison Brixton but still assisting at the churches of St Luke and St Thomas of the United Benefice of Charlton. She is particularly interested in multi-faith working and enjoys welcoming at the Prayer Space. She is also a Chaplain at Ravensbourne College. She was born in East Greenwich and is excited by the development on the Greenwich Peninsula. (updated 28/5/11)
Mrs. Patricia Gronvold Meyer: Christian: Welcomer
Ms Kay Ingledew: Christian: Chaplain
Phrakru Samu Lom: **Buddhist: Associate Chaplain** Phrakru Samu Lom is a Buddhist Thai monk. He came to England in 1976. Since then he has worked as secretary of the Buddhapadipa Temple in Wimbledon. He holds a BA degree based on humanity's religious quest. He is a member of a SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education) and of the CPP (Community and Police Partnership) in three boroughs: Merton, Kingston, and Wandsworth. He is also a life member in support of Kew Gardens and of the Art Patronage Fund of London. (updated 01/08/11)
Dr. Vitthaldas Mahajan: Hindu: Chaplain
Sukhdev Singh Marway: Sikh: Chaplain Sukhdev is a former Civil Servant who was employed by the Census Office until his retirement in 2006. He was a local Councillor for 12 years and was the President of the Ramgarhia Sikh Gurdwara until recently. (updated 12/6/11)
Mr. Muhammad Michael Pugh: Muslim: Chaplain
Ms Tedjwontee (Vilma) Randenee: Hindu: Welcomer For some time now I have undertaken religious and cultural tasks in Hindu temples and other organisations. I like to meet people of different faiths, and I enjoy spending time with them and learning about their religions. I’m passionate about this. I enjoy friendships, music, and other cultural activities. The Prayer Space on the Greenwich Peninsula gives me a golden opportunity to meet people of different faiths and to learn about their religions. (updated 12/9/2011)
Deacon Jane Rice: Christian: Chaplain Jane is a Methodist Deacon, and so called to a ministry of service and pastoral care. She enjoys living and working in a multi-faith community and creating liturgy and rituals for worship and life. She also enjoys music from the 60' s, swimming, gardening, creative arts, and being with their first grandchild. She believes that one of the most exciting ways to be enriched is to listen to the stories and faith journies of others and to continue to discover that which deepens one's own faith perspective. Her greatest joy is to find ways to enable people to both discover and express their spirituality and their religious faith. (updated 22/12/09)
Mr. Pankaj Sharma: Hindu: Chaplain
The Rev'd Malcolm Torry : Christian: Chaplain Malcolm Torry has served the Church of England parish of East Greenwich, and particularly the congregation of St. George's Westcombe Park, for fifteen years. Two years ago he and his wife Rebecca moved into the Greenwich Millennium Village on the Greenwich Peninsula, and most Sunday mornings he is now to be found at, Holy Trinity, Greenwich Peninsula, which meets in the Prayer Space. He has been a parish priest and industrial chaplain for thirty years. He is a chaplain at Plumstead and Greenwich Police Stations. (updated 25/9/11)
The Rev'd Bob Vogt: Christian: Welcomer Bob became a clergyman in 1963 after teaching in a South London comprehensive school. He became a Vicar of a church on a large housing estate in Coventry before moving back to London to be Rector of St. James Church, Kidbrooke. He retired in 1990. He especially enjoys making friends with people of all faiths and none. (updated 31/5/11)
Mrs. Hazel Walcott: Christian: Welcomer
Ms Angela Whittlesea Reed: Christian: Welcomer
Ms Esther Whittlesea Reed: Christian: Welcomer Esther is a licensed Reader in the Diocese of Southwark, a member of Holy Trinity Church which meets in the Prayer Space on Sunday mornings, and is a Welcomer at the multi faith Prayer Space. Esther has worked for the Children's Society for several years, and in her professional life has managed and co-ordinated several volunteer programmes, including a mentoring scheme to support the needs of refugee and Roma young people. She also has a background in fundraising and has worked for Christian Aid and The Children's Society in developing funding proposals to support marginalised people here in the U.K. and across the world. (updated 23/3/11)