Meet VCA
John Mason
John never set out to become a Volunteer Chaplaincy Assistant (VCA). In fact, he describes his journey into hospital chaplaincy as something that happened “by chance.” When his local place of fellowship advertised a call for chaplaincy volunteers, John simply thought, Why not give it a try?
What began as curiosity quickly grew into something more meaningful. After an interview and a year of in-depth training, John joined a team of nine new VCAs. The training was comprehensive — covering hospital confidentiality, pastoral care principles, and how to sit and speak with patients in a hospital room.
One key lesson stood out to John: VCAs are not there to preach or convert.
“We’re present to offer comfort, empathy, and a listening ear to people of any faith or no faith at all.”
John has supported patients across a wide range of hospital wards, from Emergency to Neonatal, and later took on responsibilities as an “on-call” VCA when the full-time chaplain was unavailable.
He found that many older patients, especially those separated from family, carry deep worries — about spouses managing alone, about medication, or even who’s caring for their pets.
One moment that has stayed with him was a call to the neonatal unit early in his chaplaincy. A grieving couple had lost their premature baby. The room was dim, the mother inconsolable. The baby, barely the size of a doll, lay in a small white box. John remembers feeling helpless as he sought to support the couple.
Taranaki Base Hospital where John volunteered
"I honestly felt out of my depth. But I’ve learned that sometimes, just being there matters more than anything you can say."
Hospital chaplaincy isn’t glamorous — much of it is routine, even mundane. But for John, its power lies in the quiet, human moments shared with patients and their families. His advice to others considering the role?
“If you have compassion and empathy, and want to support people at their most vulnerable, it’s one of the most meaningful ways you can serve.”
After 25 years of service, John has made the difficult decision to step back from his role as a Volunteer Chaplaincy Assistant. It’s never easy to say goodbye to work that has brought deep purpose and connection, but John feels the time is right to make space for someone new to carry the torch. His years of faithful presence, quiet listening, and compassionate care have touched countless lives, and we are deeply grateful for all he has given. Thank you, John — your legacy of service will continue to inspire us all.
Because we all need a little extra care at times