About Lincolnshire Chaplaincy Services
LCS is a Registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee
Lincolnshire Chaplaincy Services, LCS for short, was set up as an independent charitable company and received its charitable status in late 2008. It's main practical function is the employment of full-time chaplains to undertake key pieces of work in Lincolnshire, North and North East Lincolnshire. LCS is committed to "the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the inhabitants of Lincolnshire." The areas of work are in education (Further Education and Higher Education), the broad economy of our communities, specialisms in the rural economy - agriculture in particular, and in the environment and sustainable communities. The full-time chaplains are assisted by volunteer chaplains and numbers of associates which extends the work more widely. LCS has a Board of Trustees and works closely with the participating churches - the covenanted denominations of Churches Together in All Lincolnshire, from whom it receives funding. Funding also comes from a range of partners.
What does a Chaplain do?
To understand better what a Chaplain does look at the section 'Chaplaincy by Sector' and at the new report 'Life Changing Stories'. The idea may be unfamiliar but in fact has a long history which is described in the section 'What is Chaplaincy'. Chaplaincy is not about proselytizing, but offering support directly to people at different points in our lives - in the work place and in education for instance. Other chaplaincy is probably better known, such as to prisons and hospitals, and also to the armed forces. LCS does not deal with these, but the principles are the same. The chaplain can bring the 'bigger picture' into situations, can 'remember' the story, can be the one to whom people turn who doesn't 'have an axe to grind'. This 'disinterested' characteristic is crucial to chaplaincy. Chaplains also get involved with more strategic thinking and with some of the big challenges of our times - such as food supply and environmental issues. Profound changes over the last few decades in our rural communities, for instance, has led to the churches concern over the sustainability of rural life. Now climate change and environmental challenges has focused attention on solutions and LCS chaplains are working with a wide range of partners on these issues.LCS continues to be responsive to the changing situation and to develop its work appropriately, seeking new opportunities and rising to new challenges with new partners. If you would like to explore possible partnerships or wish to be associated with the work of LCS please get in touch.