Chaplain Services

During 2017 the Silky Oaks Board of Governance identified a desire to increase pastoral care and support within our community, and believed chaplaincy services would be an effective way to do this. The Chaplain role is an expression of our mission to enable children and families to reach their full potential by offering support and encouragement to all people connected to Silky Oaks.

The goals of the Chaplain are:

• Pastoral care and support to Silky Oaks, including staff, volunteers and their families
• Care and support to community members in need
• Community engagement, particularly within local schools and churches
• Engage in meaningful relationships with services across the Bayside.

The Chaplain has the privilege to work alongside Silky Oaks programs and offer additional support wherever needed. This may include social support, spiritual support, emotional support or community connection to those within Silky Oaks parenting groups, the childcare centre, the Inspire team, residential programs, or people seeking food hampers and accommodation. The Chaplain gives support and encouragement to those who need a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to be there for moral support through a difficult experience.

The Chaplain also facilitates Connect, a group for parents who feel marginalised or isolated in the Wynnum/Manly/Redlands community to engage with other parents. Connect goals are improving life skills, reducing isolation, gaining information, and social activities such as craft. Parents can bring their under-school aged children to the group as we have volunteer childminders to do activities with the children whilst the adults do an activity. Connect group runs during school terms on Tuesday mornings.