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1. Executive Director’s Reflection
2. Any ideas for the 2010 NACC National Conference?
3. Diversity Calendar being used
4. How are chaplains being used in the midst of organizational changes?
5. Feedback requested on draft of Standards for Pastoral Care
6. Second Annual National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) - April 16, 2009
7. Lenten resources for you
8. Continuing Education Hours – Summit ’09
9. Last call for the March 7th Chicago NACC Event
10. Other local/regional event dates!
11. State Liaison calls set
12. Healing Tree: a request for prayers
13. Recent job postings
14. Positions wanted

So we have entered Lent 2009. Yesterday’s gospel proclamation from Mark was almost like a text message in its brevity as we heard poignant points of Jesus driven into the desert, being tempted by Satan, living with beasts, and ministered by angels; and then John arrested and Jesus announcing the time is full, the kingdom is at hand, repent, and believe! Wow! We want to say, “Slow down, Mark! Let us catch our breath!”

I have heard you, at times, relating your chaplain experiences of patients and families who narrate to you in quick, staccato fashion their dense facts of illness and disease that came swiftly, turned their lives on end, and required quick action that was leaving everyone dazed and drained. Perhaps for some of us it was the swiftness of job loss or having fewer working hours, and we are wondering what’s next. It’s hard to grasp what this “time of fulfillment” means for our patients and for us, in the midst of unease and uncertainty of loss and turbulence.

The verse in Mark before yesterday’s gospel was ending Jesus’ baptism by John, allowing the reader to overhear God speaking to Jesus, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” I wonder how that tender truth lingered with Jesus. How does it linger in us? In those to whom we minister? When events leave us feeling deluged, and dragged along in the swift currents of crises, can we still hear we are beloved?

We know Mark is the shortest gospel. Some call it the book of the Passion with a preface. In it the disciples seem so often clueless, confused, and fearful. Much like us and those we serve, at times. Maybe this Lent Jesus wants us to hear, “Slow down, (your name). Catch your breath, and hear you are beloved.” If we don’t believe that, what kind of spiritual presence do we carry?

What can we do for one another in a time of job loss? In the past couple weeks I have had more conversations with members who are concerned about job loss or a reduction in their work hours. The topic has come back to: “How can we support our members who have lost jobs and are looking?” We did hear from one member during this past week that she had information on herself posted on the NACC Positions Wanted site, and heard the next day from someone who wants to interview her! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that happened more often? A couple of members recommended we set up a “buddy system” or network of chaplains who are willing to be supports for other members who have lost jobs. Another person mentioned whether we should offer a “how to look for a chaplain job” training. Another member commented that we might need to send members toward websites (like www.48days.com) that offer guidance on how to retool and reinvent oneself. Another noted that at this time, more than ever before, we need to make sure we, as employees in an organization in transition, we are doing everything we can to evidence that we are valuable contributors and not negative or passive employees. These are all really good suggestions. Item number four in this NACC Now includes comments on this topic that members have shared. Please consider adding your own ideas.

We want immediately, however, to invite members who are willing to be a member support or a “chaplain” to another chaplain. Please let me know if you are interested by contacting me at dlichter@nacc.org.

Appreciatively,
David Lichter
Executive Director

With the 2010 NACC National Conference being held March 20-23, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza – Riverfront, St. Paul, Minnesota, we will begin planning soon. What would you like to see happen? Visit the 2010 conference page on our website and contact us with your ideas.

How many of you send to your associates a religious diversity calendar? Here is one that Ed Horvat, Chaplain, Pastoral and Spiritual Care Department, Monongalia General Hospital, Morgantown, West Virginia prepares. Ed publishes this sampling of the kinds of festivals, holy days, and religious observances of North America's many religious communities, using sites for interfaith calendars on the web and the Multifaith Calendar 2009, published by the Multifaith Action Society of Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada. What do you use?

A few people initially responded to my request for sharing the diverse roles chaplains are playing in ministering to fellow employees losing positions. As mentioned, we want to put together resources for all of us, so that we may have more advice from one another on how to be a healing ministry in the midst of these difficult times. Here are some ideas members have shared. Someone recommended a listserv for this topic, therefore, you can go to www.nacc.org/resources/career/topics.asp to add to the ideas. Also please contact dlichter@nacc.org with your experiences.

The recent edition of PlainViews published a draft of standards of practice for healthcare chaplains. These were prepared by a work group brought together by the Association of Professional Chaplains Commission on Quality in Pastoral Services. Now they set those standards in front of the profession for further discussion. Please review and comment by March 6th! www.plainviews.org/Standards_of_Practice.php#STANDARDS

In less than two months, we will celebrate the second annual National Healthcare Decisions Day. What are your plans? For resources go to www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org.

Just a reminder to you that you can access Lenten resources for both personal and group reflection on the NACC website. Please consider gathering a group of chaplains/colleagues for a Lenten prayer or reflection group. If we can be of assistance to you in any way by including the information about your gathering on the NACC website, please contact Susanne at schaw@nacc.org.

You can find two forms for Continuing Education Hours from the Summit ’09 at the NACC website at www.nacc.org/conference/2009materials.asp. One form is for general sessions and one form is for workshops/optional sessions. You can print these out, fill them out, calculate your continuing education hours, and keep them in your files for your next renewal of certification.

Over 60 participants already! Join us at the Mulcahy Center, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood IL! We need you to sign-up by tomorrow, March 3rd, if you still want to join us. For details go to our Calendar of Events and Opportunities.

Several state liaison groups are working to finalize details for other gatherings. Please review the list below, and mark your calendars. More details of events will be in future NACC Now's.

• Friday, April 17, 2009, Centennial, CO. Joint APC/NACC.
• Friday, April 24, 2009, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Atlanta, GA
• Monday, May 18, 2009, Assumption College, Worcester, MA.
• Tuesday, June 9, 2009, New Orleans, LA. Details to follow.
• Thursday, July 23, 2009, Omaha, NE. Joint APC/NACC. Details to follow.

NACC has four calls set for state liaison participation. Join other liaisons in discussing local events, sharing resources and ideas. See below for dates and times. The NACC office is prepared to help you with local events. Contact cbridges@nacc.org or visit the state liaison area on the NACC website for more resources. Here are the scheduled calls:

• Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 2:00 pm Central time
• Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 10:00 am Central time
• Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 12:00 pm Central time

Please let us know if you would like our membership to pray for your health and healing. We continue to pray for Bro. Brian Boyle, CPPS (broken foot), Rev. Jim Radde, SJ (recovering from surgery), Sr. Hilda Mallet, MHS (cancer treatment), Sr. Rita Rzeppa, IBVM (recovering/rehab from knee surgery), and Dennis Eldridge (Kathy's husband, for cancer treatment).

CPE Supervisor
     Toledo, OH – St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center

District Director of Spiritual Care
     Houston, TX – Harris County Hospital District

Chaplain
     Waterloo, IA – Covenant Medical Center

In this time of change and uncertainty it is more important than ever to use every resource available. If you have lost your job recently, if you’re just seeking a new or better position, or if you are an employer seeking a chaplain for your organization, be sure to visit our Positions Wanted webpage. NACC members can take advantage of this free service by placing a job-seeking ad, for free, which will run for 60 days.
To see the ads, visit www.nacc.org/positions/wanted.asp

To place your own ad, send an email to Phil Paradowski.