On Saturday 30th October, Steve Coles was confirmed as the new Chair of the Board. Here are his words to the AGM:
“It is my great pleasure and a privilege to have been elected chair of the board of trustees of the Guild of Health and St Raphael. I shared with Gillian last week that after only a matter of minutes of finding out about the rich history, current work and exciting strategy of the Guild, I was captivated and being here today for this morning’s lectures has reinforced that feeling. It has been a fascinating, challenging and encouraging day indeed. Thank you to all the speakers.
It is the experience of the Guild of Health and St Raphael that the bringing together of practical action and training, high quality research and theological reflection, support and community, prayer and reflection to help the church be an even better place of healing and health is compelling and vital.
My work over the last twenty years or so has largely been about making the biggest possible positive difference, particularly with those who face the challenges of homelessness, addiction, unemployment or poverty – all of which overlap with or exacerbate physical and mental health difficulties. It is impossible to ignore spiritual health in that equation too of course. A whole-person approach is what is needed – physical, mental and spiritual.
I grew up in a Salvation Army church in Falmouth in Cornwall, and in my adult life have been part of a Salvation Army church in Raynes Park in south west London. I have also worked for The Salvation Army twice in national roles since the early 2000s. It is through that particular denomination – with its focus on social justice and social action – that God has shaped and moulded me to have a heart for the poor and excluded. I’m looking forward to sharing those experiences with my new colleagues and to learning from them, and from you, about your churches and denominations, your prayers and projects.
I am excited to join the Guild of Health and St Raphael at this point in time. My sense is that the Church has a big role to play in providing healing, rest and support for many, many people as we emerge out of the collective trauma of the covid-19 pandemic, and the roles of prayer, community, retreat, reflection and practical action remain as important as ever, if not even more so. I’m really looking forward to working with Gillian and the talented, knowledgeable and wonderful board of trustees in the years the lie ahead.
Thank you.”