The 2004 National Chaplains' Conference, with its theme Singing the Lord's Song in a Strange Land, has been a watershed moment at which "Nobody Leaves Alone" has become a prophetic and pastoral framework for the evolution of Chaplaincy ministry. It flowed out of what had come before:

• At the conference in 1989 Chaplaincy opened its eyes to how it could assist CSC in fulfilling the new CSC Vision and Mission.
• In 1991 Chaplaincy began to use the lens of Restorative Justice and challenged CSC to do the same.
• At the 1994 conference we took a New Look at our role as chaplains and the work of Chaplaincy.
• At the conference in 1997 we explored the chaplains' role as Bridge Builders in the reintegration of offenders.
• The conference in 2001 highlighted the reality of chaplains as Artisans of Justice, walking the bridge between institutions and communities.

Having gathered in worship and workshops, having heard speakers and engaged in dialogue with each other, we offer the following declaration:

Some things never change. Human nature with its needs and fears exists within the hope of a spiritual life capable of overcoming obstacles and healing hurts. Chaplaincy and the pastoral identity of the chaplain will always be essential in singing this universal song, for human life is never lived in isolation from the Divine Spirit that we share. In this sense, nobody is ever alone. This will not change.

Some things do change. In the course of CSC's history, changing circumstances, trends, structures and attitudes have confronted Chaplaincy with new and ongoing challenges. We cannot control these changes but we can respond to them by continuing to faithfully sing the song that is ours. Only in this way do we remain aware of Chaplaincy's position and role within the correctional process.

Some things should change. Chaplaincy needs to remind others that people cannot be seen in isolation from their significant relationships or lack of them. Many voices need to be drawn into singing the song: victims, staff, offenders, families, faith groups and whole communities. Chaplaincy is also deeply aware that it cannot work in isolation. The need to integrate Chaplaincy within faith communities and the CSC arises from the acknowledgement that we cannot sing this song unless we continue to hear it ourselves. Nobody sings alone, nobody learns alone, nobody loves alone; nobody heals alone, including chaplains. The challenge of addressing the need for meaningful relationships and safe communities is reflected when “Nobody Leaves Alone” becomes reality.

Some things will change. The growing diversity within Canadian society reflects itself in all stakeholders within the correctional process Chaplaincy is, therefore, committed to pursuing multidisciplinary, multifaith and multisectoral partnerships. We will search out individuals and organizations and invite them to sing the song with us. Because accompaniment, restorative justice approaches and meaningful relationships prevent crime, together we will enhance institutional and community chaplaincy, establish Circles of Support and Accountability, support family relationships, make connections with faith communities and integrate the work of volunteers. This mobilizes Canadians to adopt a response to criminal behaviour that ensures that nobody leaves alone. It also informs and shapes how resources are used and how results are obtained and reported.

“Nobody Leaves Alone” is a song whose language everyone can understand and a covenant into which everyone can enter. Under this banner we sing the song of human worth and dignity in a way that captures the imagination and clearly communicates what Chaplaincy is and does. Through relationships and accompaniment, new beginnings are always possible, as the CSC motto continually reminds us: futura recipere.

We give thanks to the Love that accompanies us and inspires us to sing this song in a strange land, transforming it and us in the process.