Embracing a New Season: Justina's Journey to Studying Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care

What next? There are seasons in life when we know God is calling us in new directions to serve him in new ways. 

Justina holds a degree in communications and has dedicated the past several years to prioritising children, not just her own. As a stay-at-home mum, she homeschooled her children, and for the past five years, she has worked in the reception of the Christian school her children attended. Being part of this school community has been a great blessing, sparking her passion to care for children as a chaplain.

Married to a pastor and managing a busy household, finding extra time seemed challenging for Justina. However, as her children grew older and more independent, she recognised that she was entering a new season in her life. While working in the school office, her role often focused on organisational tasks, leading to a growing sense of frustration.

“I really found working in a school I love interacting with the kids and very much enjoy more heart care than, you know, the organisational running and making sure they're in the right place at the right time. And so that has frustrated me for a while. Being in the office and seeing kids coming in with needs that are not in my job description to meet. So I started looking into chaplaincy.”

‘Heart care’ is the resounding phrase that Justina uses to describe the role of a chaplain. 

“So I see the chaplain as someone who supports the teacher and is able to reach those kids who just need extra love, extra help. I think ultimately from a Christian perspective, I just want to be the hands and feet of Christ to the kids and show them what it feels like to be loved by God, even in a public school setting where I can't explicitly express that to kids. I feel like it's an opportunity to show them God's love and care.”

Justina has experience in caring for young people in an educational setting but to work as a chaplain she required more training. She discovered YouthCare WA who have been providing chaplains to public schools for over 50 years. One way forward would have been for her to complete a Certificate IV in Youthwork or chaplaincy and pastoral Care through TAFE. However, Justina wanted to build on her degree and study as a graduate student. She also knew that her foundation for care was built on her Christian faith. How could she make the most of the time she would spend studying?

“I was looking for something else and ended up finding out that Morling offers a chaplaincy and spiritual care course. And so, it was exciting to find that I could get what I needed with that Christian baseline and from a biblical perspective.”

Morling’s Graduate Certificate in Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care was the answer. Morling College is registered with the Civil Chaplaincies Advisory Committee as an approved provider of education and training for civil chaplains and pastoral care workers. Justina could complete the course in a year with the option of continuing to a Graduate Diploma or even a Master of Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care.

Justina continues to work and has learnt to make the most of her time by finding “pockets of space that I didn’t even realise I had”. It’s worth every moment as she is being equipped and shaped for a chaplaincy role. 

“I think immersing myself in the Bible for deeper study has really been a highlight. And I'd say that it hasn't only deepened my understanding of the specific topic that I'm looking into, but it's really fostered a more critical and clear-thinking approach overall, which I've really enjoyed.”

Justina has received a Morling Scholarship to help her with her studies. It’s enabled her to take time off from work when the pockets of time could not stretch any further. And she has a message for those who have given financially to Morling Scholarships. She says a resounding “Thank you.” The scholarship has not just been financial care but heart care providing encouragement and affirmation that God’s people are supporting her as she seeks to serve in a new season.