Arrival at Stuttgart Airport with only underwear and a sandal
Supporting Travellers and Staff: The Role of Stuttgart Airport Chaplaincy
Stuttgart Airport is more than just a hub for travel – it's a place where people from all walks of life come together. And in the midst of this bustling environment, a dedicated team of volunteers provides a unique service: the airport chaplaincy.
Comprising 35 volunteers, this team boasts a high level of expertise in handling various issues that may arise at the airport. They are not just a part of the airport's deployment forces, but also an integral part of the STR community, making it easy for employees and passengers to approach them for a chat or a quick break.
The chaplaincy team's primary focus is on providing spiritual and emotional support. They offer prayer, counselling, and a listening ear to travellers, airport staff, and crew. They are there to offer comfort during times of distress, such as flight delays, emergencies, or bereavement.
In addition to their pastoral care, the chaplaincy team also facilitates multifaith or interfaith services and rituals, ensuring that passengers' religious needs are met. They also assist in connecting travellers to local faith resources or community support.
The chaplaincy team's offices are strategically located in a side corridor of the terminals, providing a convenient spot for employees to take a quick detour for a coffee, a chat, or to catch their breath.
In emergency situations, the chaplaincy team plays a crucial role. During medical emergency landings, they help with logistics, such as determining which hospital the patient will be taken to and which relatives should be informed. They also provide support to emergency services personnel, offering a chat after difficult deployments.
The chaplaincy team's motivation is rooted in their desire to treat all people in a way that makes them feel loved, regardless of their skin colour, residence status, religion, or anything else.
In unique situations, the chaplaincy team has gone above and beyond. For instance, they once helped a young man who arrived completely drunk, only wearing boxer shorts and a single flip-flop, and was missing his money, phone, and passport. By finding his mother's number, they were able to avoid further embarrassment for the young man.
While the chaplaincy team does not conduct chapel services or chaplaincy programs at Stuttgart Airport, their role is essential in providing a supportive environment for all who pass through the airport.
However, to obtain accurate and up-to-date details about the roles and tasks of airport chaplaincy volunteers specifically at Stuttgart Airport, direct information from the airport authority, the chaplaincy office at Stuttgart Airport, or volunteer coordinator would be needed.
- A traveler, facing a flight delay, may find it helpful to seek out the airport chaplaincy team for emotional support and a listening ear during this challenging time.
- After a long day of assisting travelers and airport staff, a chaplaincy volunteer might take a moment to enjoy a quick break and apply for a new lifestyle, one that values rest and rejuvenation, to ensure they continue to provide effective service from a place of wellbeing.
