Partnering beyond Church

Deacon Fiona de Boltz transforms loitering into listening as she partners with the police in serving Northamptonshire.

Like many Methodist deacons, much of my ministry involves working in partnership with people and agencies beyond the Church. When I felt God’s call to be a deacon, I knew I was drawn especially to those outside church life, but I had no idea where that would lead me!

Today I am privileged to serve as the Deputy Lead Chaplain for Northamptonshire Police, having been a police chaplain for nearly ten years. The journey began when I was stationed in the South Derbyshire Circuit in 2007 for my first appointment. For part of my ministry I was asked if I would continue the previous deacon’s work as chaplain to the police in Swadlincote.

Following stringent Home Office vetting, I began going into the police station once a week for a couple of hours and ‘loitering with intent’ – intent  on building relationships with police officers and staff. I simply took in biscuits, did the washing up, and was a listening ear to any who needed to talk.

When I moved to my next appointment in Corby, I continued working as a police chaplain. Another part of my work was setting up initiatives for Street Pastors in Corby and then Kettering. I experienced the beauty of working in partnership with police, local councils, and churches across denominations in order to effectively serve our communities.

I also saw at first hand the challenges facing the police, who continue to live with the twin pressures of reduced budgets and increased threat of terrorism.

As a police chaplain, I have huge respect for the people I encounter who are often dealing with incredibly stressful situations. Chaplaincy is ‘being there’, as a visible sign of the God who is with us and who loves every person passionately and unconditionally. For me, chaplaincy is a privileged partnership – partnering with God, with the church who sent me, and with the police.

Deacon Fiona de Boltz

The banner image shows Fiona at the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge – after a local police inspector, Vaughan, talked her into making the climb. She admits: “Having said I didn’t know where God would lead me, I would never have dared climbing here if it hadn’t been for Vaughan! He is not a Christian and I felt I needed to put ‘my money where my mouth’ is and prove that my faith in God was real and I could overcome my fears!”

This article originally appeared in the connexion magazine, issue 6.
Banner image and photos: © Tony de Bolz, TMCP