Relevant and Responsive in Times of Crises

Spiritual Care Week:  October 23-29, 2022
 

Theme Interpretation

 

The role of Spiritual Caregivers was exemplified during the COVID 19 pandemic!  A spiritual caregiver’s role is rooted in the sacred space of the selfless acts of listening and quiet presence that promotes open and safe conversations to manifest into moments of hope and resilience. The role and responsiveness of professional spiritual caregivers was an affirmation of the interdisciplinary role they have within their organization and industry of service.

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The fact that spiritual caregivers have always engaged in crisis, either singular or collective experiences, accentuates the value they bring to an organization.  As the pandemic demonstrated its real threat to lives both locally and abroad, the idea behind who were considered essential workers became strategic discussions in all organizations.  During the pandemic, planning to harness all available resources and essential employees based on expertise and roles was critical for the sustainability of the organization. Chaplains and spiritual caregivers rose to the occasion and utilized their expertise, in ethics consultations, modes of delivery in telehealth, caregiving to frontline staff, and modalities of coping with stress. They offered traditional, unique, and inventive models of practice that were new to the landscape of their professions. They forged areas of new challenges offering safe and sustainable care and practice. An outcome of notable relevancy of profession and responsiveness to the crisis not overlooked nor unseen.

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Additionally, the emotional and physical drain on the psyche of employees, and the manifestations of this reality became spiritual, ethical, and emotional dilemmas and crises. Chaplains and other spiritual caregivers were in this public light and became a beacon for hope to many organizations struggling for their employees to feel a sense of normalcy and safety. They became relevant and responsive to a greater degree in retrospect to the pandemic than they were accustomed in their pre-pandemic roles. This new threat raged as a war on the human spirit, and Chaplains and spiritual caregivers all over the world were available to give spiritual support in creative and reimagined platforms. Many of them discussing and collaborating across state and country lines, forging plans for how to give hope and relatable resources in forms of spiritual care. When there were furloughs and lay-offs, spiritual caregivers all across the continuum offered valuable perspectives to their organizations.  Spiritual caregivers are responsive and relevant every day, everywhere, and in every situation!

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For more information or to send feedback or comments please e-mail the

Pastoral Care Week Committee c/o 

Chaplain Clyde Angel

 

at Clyde.Angel@Ironbow.com

 

Pastoral Care Week Committee:

Clyde Angel:  Chair (First Term) - 2022

George Akins - 2024

Brenda Brown - 2023

Kyle Christiansen - 2024

Kathleen Gallivan - 2022
Peter Oliver - 2022
Carolyn Huff - 2024

Tim Staker - 2024