Season’s Greetings!
Are you like me? You turn your head and whoosh 2024 has gone, where did it go!
The year started with me leading a short service with David Gold’s family at the blessing of his memorial tree at the Rush Green Training Ground. The Gold family are truly lovely and wonderful to be with, they have always made me feel part of the Club and it was an honour to spend time with them again back at the beginning of the year.
It was also a year of change for West Ham United and its staff, when we said goodbye to David Moyles back at the start of the summer. I would personally like to thank David for his commitment to the Club and for the friendship we shared. We had many a good chat over a coffee at the training ground. We then welcomed Julen Lopetegui and his backroom team, and I’m very pleased to have built a good friendship with Julen and his team and it’s an honour to support him and the Club.
Fans often stop me and ask me what does a Club Chaplain do? Well, I could write a book on that topic, but to answer simply I am there pastorally, spiritually and religiously for everyone involved in the Club. I am available for the players and staff and pastorally support them in whatever way they need. For example, sometimes it could be a simple chat about how they are doing or what’s going on in their life.
One of my roles can be supporting those who are sick or those who are going through a bereavement. Alongside my Club role I am also the Lead Chaplain for the Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust which includes Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Ilford. I can honestly say it is a privilege to sit with those who are in suffering either emotionally or physically, just being a presence in their situation can be a help.
We all need a shoulder at times, or a friendly ear to listen to what’s on our hearts and mind, or maybe just someone to simply say 'how are you doing?'. It doesn’t matter if you are a player, a coach, a secretary or a fan, we all need that support at times.
One area that as Club Chaplain I can support fans is through bereavement support. Maybe you have had a difficult year or you have lost someone close to you, as Club Chaplain I am happy to be a listening ear. I often do funerals for West Ham fans which can mean a lot to the family.
Christmas is often a time of great joy, but it can also be the time of the year we feel the loss of those who have gone before us. Christmas can be a time of stress and for some the loneliest time of the year. Christians celebrate at this time of year the coming of God in human form. However, for many, they do not feel God’s love or his presence in their lives.
Whether you are a Christian or have a different faith or don’t believe, no one is immune to the difficulties that life can throw at you. We all need someone to talk to and support us. As a Priest I use my faith as a support, my relationship with God and Jesus is essential in my life, but I still need a friend to have a beer and a chat with and I still want someone to ask me 'how are you doing!'.
So here is the point, you do not need to be the Club Chaplain to offer that support or ask that question. This Christmas, pick up the phone and call a friend, look out for each other, check on a neighbour, reach out to someone and ask, 'how are you doing?'.
Whatever your plans are this Christmas, I wish you all a wonderful and blessed time and I pray that this Christmas is a special one for YOU!
COYI
Rev Philip Wright
Club Chaplain
