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Contents:
1. Executive Director’s Reflection
2. Seeking applicants for NACC Board of Directors
3. Could you tell us why you did not vote?
4. Would you consider being a leadership mentor?
5. Seeking NACC Certified Members for Certification Interviews
6. 2010-Renewal of Certification Applications
7. Logging your Continuing Education Hours
8. How do I find a Peer Reviewer?
9. 2010 Renewal of Certification Fee
10. Renewal Contact Person
11. New positions for NACC members
12. You can still register at the door for NACC Conference 2010
13. Conference Hotel is now booked - NACC Conference 2010
14. Forty-ish and under NACC members plan to meet at National Conference!
15. Are you interested in sharing your Patient Satisfaction strategies?
16. Taking Action against Human Trafficking
17. TODAY ends advance sign up for 2010-2012 Spiritual Care Champions Program
18. In case you didn't get a chance to respond…
19. National Healthcare Decisions Day Is Set for April 16, 2010
20. Order your video promoting the chaplaincy profession
21. Local/regional event dates
22. Other education events
23. Healing Tree: a request for prayers
24. Recent job postings
25. Positions wanted
I think we get the point of yesterday’s Lenten readings that include Luke’s Prodigal Son story, Paul’s exhortation that we be “ambassadors of reconciliation,” and Joshua hearing Yahweh say, “I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” We are to feast on God’s forgiveness of us! To use a common question we hear today, “How is that working for you?” What does forgiveness do for us? To us?
This past Friday, March 12th, the Mayo Clinic website posted a wonderful article by the Mayo clinic staff, particularly staff chaplain, Katherine Piderman, PhD, “Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness.” www.mayoclinic.com/health/forgiveness/mh00131. It might be the perfect article to share with someone gnawing with non-forgiveness. It reminds us that “…if you don't practice forgiveness, you may be the one who pays most dearly.” Katherine enumerates the many benefits of forgiveness, including: “healthier relationships, greater spiritual and psychological well-being, less stress and hostility, lower blood pressure, fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety and chronic pain, and lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse.” Looks like a great list to me!
We are grateful for the many recent research studies on forgiveness and its health benefits. You will find a list of recent studies as a footnote at the end of this issue (here), and here is another link to a study: www.springerlink.com/content/c22w05184373pt30
Years ago, Henri Nouwen wrote an insightful article on resentment and gratitude, and described resentment as that “clinging” negative emotion, noting its Latin etymology, re-sentire, that means feel or experience again and again. That’s been helpful to me because I can recognize how it works on me when I find myself playing and feeling over and over again a scene where I felt not understood, respected, ignored. I realize how it distracts and drains me. Katherine refers to forgiveness as “a decision to let go of resentment…” It was the battle of the older son in the Prodigal Son story, wasn’t it? How good at I am recognizing the reruns of resentment scenes in my life? How good am I at deciding to let them go? How good am I at not getting down on myself for feeling resentment itself? How good am I at feasting on God’s forgiveness of me?
When I think of our healing ministry, so often we are ministering to people riddled with resentments, or fighting the forgiveness battle. How are we doing with being an ambassador of reconciliation? It’s tough continuing the healing ministry of Jesus without experiencing that feast of forgiveness myself. Thanks, Katherine, for the important reminder.
Later this week more than 400 participants will gather for our National Conference, Winds of Change, Spirit of Promise. I find myself heading north to St. Paul with so many emotions. I am deeply:
I invite all of us to pray that God’s Spirit leads us, nourishes us, and emboldens us during the Winds of Change, Spirit of Promise.
Appreciatively,
David Lichter, Executive Director
The NACC Nomination Panel has been working at identifying potential candidates for the two elected member NACC board positions for 2011. Click here for a letter from Jim Letourneau, chair of the Nomination Panel, and an application form. Please take time to read the letter, and reflect on your qualification for and openness to consider being a candidate for the NACC Board. Deadline of submitting an application is Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Please pray for our NACC leadership.
Could you tell us why you did not vote?Thank you! We had over 50 members letting us know why they did not vote. Most noted not knowing the candidates. We will find better ways to introduce our candidates this year. If you did not vote in last fall’s NACC Board of Directors election process via an online voting with Votenet.com, and still want to respond to the survey asking you why you did not, please do so today. We will close the survey tomorrow evening, Tuesday, March 16, 2010. Click here to complete the very brief, anonymous questionnaire. If you want to contact David Lichter (dlichter@nacc.org) directly to give your reasons, please do.
Would you consider being a leadership mentor?Thanks to those who responded to this invitation in the last NACC Now. The Care Services Task Force has recently made available Spiritual Leadership Competencies for those who have been given or are aspiring to pastoral care leadership responsibilities. Are there NACC members who would consider being a mentor for other NACC members? Please let David Lichter (dlichter@nacc.org) know if you would be open to consider being a mentor. Click here for questions and answers regarding mentoring.
Seeking NACC Certified Members for Certification InterviewsWe are looking for members to train to be certification interviewers for this coming fall. Interviews will be held October 2-3, 2010. If you are attending the 2010 conference in St. Paul, there is an opportunity to receive training on Saturday, March 20, 2010, at our special NACC workshop. Please see the conference brochure for details. With the growth of male applicants for certification, we are especially seeking certified male NACC members to train to be interviewers. Our tentative locations for the fall are Portland, OR; Milwaukee, WI; Boston, MA; and St. Louis, MO. Please contact Susanne at schaw@nacc.org if you are interested or have questions.
2010-Renewal of Certification ApplicationsRenewal Reminder Letters were mailed to those members due to renew their certification by 12/31/2010.
Thank you to members who submitted 2010 Renewal of Certification Applications early. These renewal materials will be reviewed at our upcoming Certification Commission meeting, which will be held in March 18-20, 2010 (St. Paul, MN). And Notification Letters will be mailed, via U.S. Postal Service, by April 19, 2010.
For those of you working on your Renewal of Certification Application and materials, please note there is still time to submit. Items received by March 1, 2010 will be reviewed at our March 2010 Certification Commission meeting.
Renewal of Certification Applications received by June 24, 2010 will be reviewed at the July 8-11, 2010 meeting (Milwaukee, WI) with notification mailed out by August 10, 2010.
*Please Note: For those members requiring notification prior to December 31, 2010, it will be necessary to submit your Renewal Application and materials in time to be reviewed at our last Commission meeting of the year (October 2010). Although you have until December 31, 2010, to complete the process, we urge you not to wait until November or December unless you are okay with waiting until mid 2011 for your notification letter.
Logging your Continuing Education HoursWhen logging your Continuing Education Hours (CEHs), please be sure to use a separate Education Report Form for each year. So, you will have a total of five (5) Education Report Forms to submit with your application/materials. If you have an abundance of CEHs to record, then please use the Education Report Form (longer version), which will allow more entries.
How do I find a Peer Reviewer?To select a Peer Reviewer (an active or retired certified NACC member) to complete your one (1) hour peer review session, please visit the NACC Online Membership Directory (sorted by US State of residence), Enter your Username (your Member #) and your Password (your last name in lowercase letters). You will be able to scroll down the list to find your state’s abbreviation and view the members in your area. (Must also see the Peer Review Process located in the Certification Procedures Manual on our website.)
2010 Renewal of Certification FeeThe 2010 Fee for Renewal of Certification is $160.00, made payable to the NACC.
Renewal Contact PersonIf you have questions or concerns regarding the renewal process, please contact Becky Evans, Certification Assistant at bevans@nacc.org or (414) 483-4898 ext. 310.
New positions for NACC membersJust a reminder to you, please let us know if you have accepted a new position/responsibility. E-mail Cindy Bridges (cbridges@nacc.org). We want to congratulate you and let others know, too. Below is our current list of updates from members:
Chaplain Patricia Harrison
I am working again with Kaiser Permanente but in Roseville, California at the hospital. I do love being back in a hospital, though I loved my many years with hospice.
Dr. Michele Le Doux Sakurai
As of January 18, 2010 I will assume the position of Manager, Spiritual/Pastoral Care and Mission at Providence Mount Carmel/St. Joseph's/Dominicare in Colville, WA.
Nancy Cook
I was promoted within CHW from the Manger of Spiritual Care in Sacramento at Mercy General Hospital to the Director of Spiritual Care for CHW Phoenix East Valley Area (Chandler Regional Medical Center and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Arizona).
Ernest J. (Skip) Dalle Molle
A CPE classmate of mine will be taking the reigns of Trinity Ministries (presently in Dallas and moving to Duncanville, TX just south of Dallas). He asked me to come on board as the Administrative Officer. I will be there effective January 10, 2010. I also hope to pick up some volunteer hospital chaplain or fire department chaplain time while I am there. Prayers are requested as my wife, Barbara, who will not be joining me for a spell...she will stay in Illinois and I will stay in a campground.
Rev. Ralph Lepley
I am completing certification through North Carolina State University's Executive Business & Professional Coaching (ICF) Program in Raleigh, NC. I'm utilizing this certification in my position as a member of The Board of Directors at NC Baptist Hospital's Samaritan Carenet Counseling Center in Statesville, NC. I'd like to network with interested persons in the Southeastern USA who might be interested in learning more about coaching.
James Letourneau
Effective January 4, 2010, I will have a new role and new contact information. My new role will be Director of Mission and Spirituality for Trinity Health in Livonia, MI.
Raymond Maher
I have been hired as a full-time Catholic Chaplain at the Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta, Maine. My start date is January 19, 2009.
Father Herb Wheatley
I was recently elected to the Presbyteral Council for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. It is for a 3 year term.
Sr. Irma Odabashian, CSJ
My name is Sr. Irma Odabashian, CSJ. I am an NACC member, ministering as a Chaplain at Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital in Tucson, AZ, a member of Carondelet Health Network, Sponsored by Ascension Health.
I am happy to let the Association know that I was just appointed to the Board of Directors of Holy Cross Hospital, in Nogales, AZ., which is also a Carondelet Health Network hospital, Sponsored by Ascension Health. Thank you.
Rev John T. (Jack) Crabb
Director of Pastoral Care and (Founding) Director of CPE, Mercy Hospital, Portland Maine, beginning February 1, 2010. Mercy Hospital is a brand new NACC and ACPE CPE Center; only Catholic CPE Center in Maine.
Shafi Thomas
This is to let you know that I have two new responsibilities. One is a member of the Institutional Review Board for 2 years for the Sage College in Troy, NY. The second is:
Recently I have been appointed by the Bishop of the Albany Diocese a member of the Pastoral Care Commission of the Diocese of Albany, NY.
Fr. Eugene Pocernich, BCC, Columbia-St. Mary's Hospital
I have recently been appointed to the Priests' Wellness Council of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Louise C. Gregg
This is just to let you know about my new position. I am NACC certified as a Chaplain; ACPE as Supervisor. I started Nov. 2, 2009 as Supervisor and Coordinator of the CPE Program. Washington Hospital Center, Spiritual Care Department, Clinical Pastoral Education Coordinator, ACPE Supervisor
Frank Beazley
I just want to bring you up to date with where I am these days as a Director. I will be assuming the position of Director of Pastoral Care at Providence Hospital in Washington DC. It is part of the Ascension Health System and I am very excited about the challenges and opportunities that exist at Providence.
My time here at Lourdes as been a true blessing, and I leave with mixed feelings. I have been very fortunate to have had Sister Marilyn Perkins (VP Mission) mentor me for the past 3-years and she will be missed. I prepare to assume my new duties on March 1st.
You can still register at the door! Please join us! Bring a colleague or friend. Click here for details.
Saturday, March 20 – Tuesday, March 23, 2010
2010 NATIONAL NACC CONFERENCE
Winds of Change, Spirit of Promise
Crowne Plaza St. Paul – Riverfront
11 East Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
While the conference hotel, the Crowne Plaza St. Paul – Riverfront, is now booked, we have for your convenience a list of nearby hotels you can contact for rooms. Please note that the NACC does not specifically endorse or recommend any of the hotels listed. Booking rooms and checking reviews for the hotels will be up to you. To see the list, visit this link: www.nacc.org/conference/altlodging.asp
Forty-ish and under NACC members plan to meet at National Conference!If you are planning on being at the NACC 2010 Conference, are in the forty-ish and under age category, and want to network with others in that age, please let Teresa Sullivan know by contacting her at tsullivan731@aol.com.
NACC member, Jerry Herauf, Director - Pastoral Care Department, Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, is interested to learn if other NACC members are willing to share their Patient Satisfaction strategies, and the results Pastoral Care Departments are having and how they are using them. If there are several members, we can help Jerry set up a conference call on the issue. Please contact Jerry directly at JHerauf@saintpetersuh.com.
Taking Action against Human TraffickingIn 2009, the NACC has moved its equity investments to Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS). For the past 20 years, CBIS and other religious investors have helped companies avoid suppliers who use forced labor and child labor - - two forms of Human Trafficking. Human Trafficking exploits human beings for revenue. It is a crime that represents a grave offense against the dignity of the person and is a serious violation of human rights. CBIS invites our help in expanding their work combating Human Trafficking. Join CBIS and encourage hotels to take action to fight the commercial sexual exploitation of children. To learn more go to www.cbisonline.com/page.asp?id=1017. NACC will have at its National Conference copies of the letter you can download here. You can download and take the letter to any hotels you use. Download a letter to bring to hotels here.
TODAY ends advance sign up for 2010-2012 Spiritual Care Champions ProgramPlease click here to learn about both the Spiritual Care and Ethics Champions programs, their features. Registration for the programs ends TODAY, March 15, 2010. After today you can sign up for individual sessions. The NACC was grateful to have worked closely with the leaders of several Catholic health systems to help plan the 2010-2012 Spiritual Care Champions Program.
In case you didn't get a chance to respond…Don't miss your final opportunity to respond to a survey about your use of the Internet in patient care. Please go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/XPY89X7 and take a brief survey. Questions? Contact Chaplain Mary E. Johnson at johnson.mary3@mayo.edu or (507) 255-5544.
National Healthcare Decisions Day Is Set for April 16, 2010Join Americans across the country in making future healthcare decisions known to family, friends and healthcare providers. Share your wishes and complete your advance directive, because…YOUR DECISIONS MATTER. Learn more about National Healthcare Decisions Day and get free information at www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org.
Order your video promoting the chaplaincy professionOur video on Chaplaincy, both a recruitment version (that begins and ends with “Is God Calling You?”), and a version without this question, are available in DVD format. The charge is just $6.00, the cost of production and shipping. You may preview the video at this link. To order copies please email Cindy Bridges for instructions.
Local/regional event datesMore local gatherings are being set. Please review the list below, and mark your calendars. More details of events will be in future NACC Now's.
Here are other events for our members:
Please let us know if you would like our membership to pray for your health and healing. We continue to pray for: Sr. Barbara M. Link, FSPA (chemotherapy treatment), Fr. Kevin Ikpah (eye troubles), Sr. Micheletta McGee, RSM (pancreatic cancer), Lourdes B. Ruta (wife of Peter Ruta, in recovery), Fr. Bob Nee, BCC, LICSW, CT (intractable epilepsy), Kelly Elizabeth Sexton (cancer: daughter of NACC member Melyssa Sexton), Joyce Fink (heart attack/recovery from open heart surgery), Mike J. Murphy (cancer treatment), Fr. Bill Spacek (detached retina and other eye issues); Sr. Nancy Crane, OP (cancer treatment); Sr. Hilda Mallet, MHS (cancer treatment); Sr. Rita Rzeppa, IBVM (recovering/rehab from knee surgery), and Dennis Eldridge (Kathy's husband, for cancer treatment).
Recent job postingsThe following positions have been posted in the last two weeks. Please go to www.nacc.org/positions/available.asp for more information.
DIRECTOR, CHAPLAINCY SERVICE
New York, NY - HealthCare Chaplaincy/Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
DIRECTOR, PASTORAL CARE
Rock Island, IL - Trinity Medical Center
CHAPLAIN
Williamsville, NY - Catholic Health
CHAPLAIN - Ordained Roman Catholic Priest
Boston, MA - Massachusetts General Hospital
CATHOLIC PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Los Angeles, CA - Good Samaritan Hospital
MANAGER/SPIRITUAL CARE
Shreveport, LA - CHRISTUS Schumpert Health System
MAYO CLINIC CPE
Rochester, MN - Residency positions
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: pparadowski@nacc.org.
1. Elliott, Barbara A. (2010) Forgiveness Therapy: A Clinical Intervention for Chronic Disease. Journal of Religion and Health
2. Allan, A. (2010) The health implications of apologizing after an adverse event. International Journal for Quality in Health Care
3. Greenberg, Leslie (2009) Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy and the Facilitation of Forgiveness. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
4. Messias, Erick (2009) Bearing grudges and physical health: relationship to smoking, cardiovascular health and ulcers. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
5. Friedberg, Jennifer P. (2009) Relationship Between Forgiveness and Psychological and Physiological Indices in Cardiac Patients. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
6. Steinhauser, Karen E. (2008) Do Preparation and Life Completion Discussions Improve Functioning and Quality of Life in Seriously Ill Patients? Pilot Randomized Control Trial. Journal of Palliative Medicine 11(9)
7. Stoia-Caraballo, Rebecca (2008) Negative affect and anger rumination as mediators between forgiveness and sleep quality. Journal of Behavioral Medicine