During the last two years, while on the Southwark Ordination Course, struggling with lectures, essays, projects, etc. and continuing as a part time lay chaplain at Springfield Hospital, a large psychiatric hospital, I have wondered on more than one occasion how on earth I got myself into this situation! Quite simply, I believe that this is what God has called me to do. How do I know this - I can hear you asking! For a start, I know “inside me”.

I have been fortunate in working with a succession of priests who strongly supported women’s ministry and encouraged me to go forward first as a Southwark Pastoral Auxiliary and later as a Reader licensed to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul at Springfield Hospital. Three different priests, on separate occasions, without knowing the others had suggested it, urged me to try for the diaconate, pointing out that the work I was already doing was more applicable to that of a deacon than a reader.

At first I was reluctant to do so, knowing that my age, as well as being a woman would be against me, but gradually I realised that this was God speaking to me through others. As I anticipated, my first application was unsuccessful, but with tremendous help and support of Tony Yeldman, who until recently was the Chaplain of the Wandsworth Mental Health Unit, I was accepted for training.

I started my Christian journey in earnest at the age of nine years when I began to be taken regularly to Morning Prayer at St. James’s Church on Sundays by the lady who lived next door to us. You never know what might happen when you invite someone to come to Church with you! Perhaps one day it may be possible for me to return to St. James’."

Source: Betty Stewart, The Spire Magazine - 1993 October

On the Sunday, a number of us from St. James’ were in the large congregation which filled Southwark Cathedral for this historic occasion. The Rev. Stephen Lyon spoke, in his sermon, of the desirability of being the person God wants one to be and not who others think one ought to be, particularly apt in these early days of women’s ordination as priests. Betty was one of the two women and three men being presented. It was a very moving moment when she came forward with Brian and Ian who, with the Bishop of Southwark and three other bishops, laid their hands on her head in consecration. The work of all the new priests was just beginning as the bishops prayed ‘Give them wisdom and discipline to work faithfully with all their fellow servants in Christ’.

I am licensed to the parish church of St Mary Magdalene, Wandsworth Common, from where I am able to continue my hospital chaplaincy work at Springfield Hospital - a large psychiatric hospital at Tooting. I work three days a week - Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, dividing my time between the parish church and the hospital, which seems to work well. Whenever I am able, I like to begin my week on Sundays with the 8.00 am Holy Communion Service at St James’. This is my spiritual home and ‘sets me up’ for the week.

On one Sunday a month, I go to the parish church for 10.00am Parish Communion (Rite B), when I usually preach. After the service and coffee, I spend some time at the hospital. Long stay patients have few visitors on Sundays, and always welcome me. Every Tuesday morning, I go to the parish church again at 11.00 am for a Holy Communion Service (BCP) attended mainly by elderly parishioners, who arrive by wheel chair, car, taxi or ‘Dial a Ride’ After the service we have coffee together, and sherry if it is somebody’s birthday. I often think of Hannah as I sip my sherry - I am sure she would have approved! The rest of my time is spent at the hospital assisting at the services in the hospital church, visiting the wards and if invited, leading a short service on the wards for those unable to attend the church.

I am responsible for seven wards, which I visit once a week. At the present time a number of wards are closing, as patients are being moved into the community. Relatives are unhappy about the situation, because the staff who are at present looking after the patients will not be going with them, and the staff are anxious because they do not know where they will be working, or whether they will, in fact, have a job. Many of the staff have cared for the same patients for years, and have grown fond of them.

There is a good deal of unrest about the place. I spend a lot of my time listening and reminding myself that ministry is about ‘being’ as well as ‘doing’. It is no help to staff for me to tell them that I have been through it all myself having been in charge of four hospitals during my working life which closed!

I talk to the carers, husbands and wives, who faithfully visit their partners in hospital, sometimes for many years. One Sunday morning I was on one of the wards for elderly patients. I found an old gentleman giving his wife her breakfast. It was 9am. I stopped to talk to him. He said he had been coming to the hospital every day for four years to feed her. There was no shortage of nurses on the ward - he said he came because he loved his wife, and this was all he could do for her.

On another ward I spend time with a group of wives, who come regularly to sit and talk to their husbands. I notice they bring little treats - a fancy cake or a tasty sandwich for them. Sometimes there is little response from the husband. I notice the love in the wife’s eyes - she continues to talk and slowly the husband responds with a little smile and then I see a tear trickle down the wife’s face, which is quickly brushed away.

I have worked at the hospital for nine years now - long enough to see the ‘revolving door’ patients admitted and discharged several times. Full-time chaplains come and go - the patients are pleased to see a familiar face to welcome them.

A psychiatric hospital may seem a strange place at first, but to some it becomes a place
of safety and security. I have found much loving kindness and care amongst the staff and the patients, In the disturbed atmosphere of a locked ward on a Sunday morning I can feel the presence of God amongst us as I lead a shortened Holy Communion Service, and feel privileged to be there."

Source: Betty Stewart, The Spire Magazine - 1994 June