Issue #234 – October 17, 2016

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(Items marked with a * are new or updated items)

1. Executive Director’s Reflection
I always liked the image provided in that first reading from Exodus (17:8-13) on the Israelites’ fight with Amalek’s army, “Moses’ hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” Of course the Gospel of Luke (18:1-8) picks up that same theme of persistence, when Jesus highlights the parable of the persistent widow to the dishonest judge who finally succumbs to her relentless appeal, “Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them?” While I appreciate and must be self-critical about my own lack of fortitude and relentless appeal that yesterday’s scriptures present me, I find myself drawn to the group commitment of Aaron and Hur in the first reading. I think it often reflects what we experience our spiritual care ministry

What does it look like to you? Consider all the ways we “support… hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that (his) hands remained steady till sunset.” I think of the special book of prayers in hospital chapels where people can place the names of their loved ones needing prayer, of the virtual on-line communities of prayer, notes on bulletin boards, our Healing Tree, the simple “please pray for…” that we hear every day from associates, patients, residents, and family members; these are all “one on one side and one on the other side” repeats of that tired Moses sitting on the rock. Are they not?

Sometimes I wonder whether I need to ask others to pray with and for me that I might be persistent in my prayer of appeal. It was obvious that Moses needed physically to be supported in his hands of supplication. Aaron and Hur saw it and stepped in. Are you and I that transparent when we need help in being persistent in prayer? Am I willing to be open with another when I can use “one on one side and one on the other”?

I can be better with that. I don’t know about you. What do you think?

Blessings,

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

2. ALERT: Need of Disaster Spiritual Care Volunteers for Devastation in North Carolina!
As you may have seen, the devastation in North Carolina is massive and we have currently begun the active deployment of Disaster Spiritual Care Volunteers across 3 districts. A total of 88 DSC volunteers have been requested initially to cover a 10 day deployment. We have managers on the ground and are working actively to support the local needs. In solidarity with our colleagues and friends impacted by this disaster we are deeply grateful for those who have already deployed.

We are now requesting of NACC members and members of our cognate partners that any Red Cross trained Spiritual Care Volunteer update their availability in the Red Cross system and contact their local chapter if they are available through the next 4 weeks to deploy for 10 days. Any interested chaplain who has become a Red Cross volunteer is able to deploy immediately. Those interested in becoming a Red Cross Disaster Spiritual Care volunteer may begin the process by simply going to www.redcross.org and selecting “volunteer” and completing the simple online registration.
For any questions, please contact Tim Serban at Tim.Serban@RedCross.org

3. Thank you for your prayers for the success of first planning session of Partners in Planning for the Pastoral Care Ministry!
The NACC hosted a gathering of 20 Catholic ministry leaders to examine the various settings and people who require pastoral care, and drafted an initial set of competencies required for those providing such care. While we have our NACC competencies for certification, and other Catholic ministry associations have competencies, there are no national standards for those preparing many other individuals, including volunteers, who also are asked to provide these services. Over the coming months the Partners plan to refine these competencies, research the many training programs currently existing, and make recommendations and provide resources for the formation of pastoral care providers. The planning process has been generously funded through a grant to the NACC by the Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities (www.rfca.org). For a list of the Partners in Planning participants, go to www.nacc.org/about-nacc/strategic-plan#raskob.

4. NACC announces recipients of the Outstanding Colleague and Distinguished Service Awards.
The NACC Board of Directors is delighted to announce the recipients of NACC Outstanding Colleague and Distinguished Service Awards. At its 2017 National Conference in Albuquerque, NM, at its Awards Dinner on Saturday, April 29, 2017, the NACC will present the outstanding colleague award to two recipients, Cecille Asekoff, who recently retired after 27 years as Executive Vice President of Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains, and Dr. George Fitchett, DMin, PhD, professor and the director of research in the Department of Religion, Health & Human Values, and faculty member in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Rush University and in the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. Both are well known and well deserving of this Outstanding Colleague award. We are also pleased to give the Distinguished Service Award to Nancy Cook, BCC, currently Regional Director of Spiritual Care with CHRISTUS Health, who has served and is serving the NACC is various capacities. More details about these award recipients will be forthcoming. The NACC Annual Award Advisory Panel is grateful to those who submitted nominees for consideration. Each year we rely on our members to hold up the gifts and contributions of our members and those professional colleagues who advance the profession of spiritual care.

5. We are grateful to all who contributed to the October 8-9, 2016, Certification Interviews!
The National Office and many volunteers were involved in the success of the October 8-9, 2016, certification interviews. The interviews were held in four locations: Milwaukee, WI; Middletown, CT; Omaha, NE; and Portland, OR. There were at least 89 people involved in the interview weekend: 33 applicants, 35 interviewers, 12 Interview Team Educators, 4 Site Coordinators, 1 Certification Commissioner-on-Call, and 4 Pastoral Presence Volunteers as well as Other Volunteers. We are very grateful to all our volunteers for their hard work and dedication to the NACC Certification process! We especially appreciate all of your continued prayer! We certainly see the Spirit at work every interview weekend. Thank you all! You can see a list of our wonderful volunteers on our website at: www.nacc.org/membership/volunteers.

6. Please consider submitting prayers for the World Day of the Sick cards.
We can’t tell you how many people appreciate and utilize the NACC World Day of the Sick prayer cards for Sick Persons and Caregivers. We will again be preparing prayer cards for the February 11, 2017 World Day of the Sick, for use in hospitals, hospices, long-term care facilities, parishes, and for anyone else interested in the spiritual needs of sick persons and caregivers. We invite our members to write prayers to be used on these prayer cards. We will again publish two cards: Prayer for Sick Persons and Prayer for the Caregiver. You may submit prayers for either or both. Prayers may be written in any style or format you like, but they should be no more than 32 lines long, with an average line length of not more than 10 syllables. To see examples of past prayers, click here. All submissions must be received at the NACC office by Monday, November 14. We will notify the person(s) whose prayers will be used by November 28. We are not able to offer payment, but the authors will be credited. We will share a total of two prayers in print, although some honorary selections may be featured on our website later in the year. Please send your submissions to Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org). Thank you in advance for sharing your gifts.

7. Read in the September-October Vision about ministering to atheists, agnostics, humanists.
Ministry to patients who are atheists, agnostics or humanists comes with some notable don’ts, but also some dos, including “Be your effective chaplain self.” Marcia Marino, a certified Unitarian Universalist chaplain, offers more thoughts in the September-October issue of Vision.

8. February 2017 Initial Certification Application Deadline – Revised Certification Procedures Manual and Supporting Documentation
The NACC Certification Procedures Manual along with supporting documentation is in the process of being completed. If you are planning on applying for the February 2017 initial certification deadline, we will have materials available for you this week of October 17, 2016. If you would like to be added to the list to receive these materials as soon as they are completed, please send Ramona Zeb an email which includes your name and email address at rzeb@nacc.org.

9. NACC provides gifted plenary speakers for the 2017 NACC Conference!
We are excited to announce our plenary speakers for the 2017 Conference! They will be:

Dr. Dianne Bergant, CSA, who is Carroll Stuhlmueller, CP Distinguished Professor Emerita of Biblical Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois. (www.nacc.org/conference/speakers/bergant)

Dr. Megan A. McKenna, who is an internationally known author, theologian, storyteller and lecturer, teaches at several colleges and universities, and does retreats, workshops and parish missions. She currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (www.nacc.org/conference/speakers/mckenna)

Dr. Emmanuel Y. Lartey, who is the L. Bevel Jones III Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care and Counseling at Candler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta, GA. (www.nacc.org/conference/speakers/lartey)

Dr. Raymond Reyes, who currently serves as the Associate Academic Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and has been with Gonzaga University since 1987.
(www.nacc.org/conference/speakers/reyes)

10. NACC announces Retreat and Retreat Leader for 2017 Conference
On Thursday, April 27, 2017, the preconference Day of Reflection will take place at the Norbertine Hermitage Retreat Center in Albuquerque, NM. The theme will be In Step with the Grace of the Moment and will be led by Meg Ashcroft, OPraem Obl. The day will include time for individual reflection, opportunities for sharing, poetry, song and story, and the freedom to go down whatever road the Spirit leads you toward. Please plan on joining your colleagues for this day. For more information go to: www.nacc.org/conference/day-of-reflection-2017

11. Join us at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, NM, for our April 28 – May 1, 2017 NACC Conference!
The April 28 – May 1, 2017 Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, just outside Albuquerque. It is in a beautiful setting ideal for our conference. More information on hotel reservations will be forthcoming. To view the Resort and Spa, go to tamaya.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

12. Don’t miss next NACC Webinar: Ethical Issues Facing Our Healthcare Settings, and Implications for Spiritual Care
Don’t miss the next NACC webinar in our 2016 program which is scheduled for Thursday, November 10, 2016 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time. Rev. Thomas A. Nairn, OFM, PhD, will present “Ethical Issues Facing Our Healthcare Settings, and Implications for Spiritual Care”.

If you have not already done so, it is still not too late to register for this webinar.

Program Summary
This webinar will provide an overview of the ethical issues that face the work environments within which we function as chaplains. Specific attention will be devoted to end-of-life issues and palliative care in light of the attempts in so many states (and Canada) to initiate aid in dying legislation. Fr. Thomas Nairn will examine these issues through the lens of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care, and offer suggestions on their importance for our spiritual care ministry.

Participants qualify for 2.0 CEHs total for the session (which includes 90 minutes for the webinar plus 30 minutes’ preparation time).

To register for this webinar, as well as for any other NACC 2016 webinars, please visit the webinar page on our website by clicking on this LINK. The web page contains a link to a downloadable paper registration form, but you can also register online by clicking on REGISTER.

You can read more of this topic of end-of-life issues and aid in dying legislation in Canada by going to: http://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-catholic-health-cares-conscientious-objections-appropriate-in-canadian-health-system.

13. Consider contributing to a new issue on chaplain case studies!
Health and Social Care Chaplaincy is planning a special issue on chaplain case studies (Issue 5:2, 2017). Steve Nolan and George Fitchett will be the guest editors. Please see below to read the flyer describing the issue. Instructions for how chaplains can contribute are attached. It would be a gift to the profession for one or more of our NACC members to submit cases for consideration. Please contact George Fitchett (see flyer) for more information.

HSCC case study flyer

14. Another resource on chaplains!
Our NACC member, Carolyn Jurkowitz, wrote us, “And Humankind (a production of Human Media) did a rerun of its Program #169, Sunday, September 18, on most NPR stations. I had heard this broadcast before. The chaplains interviewed are from the East Coast (Boston) area, and serve at various hospitals and ECFs, but I found the program very well done: a positive and accurate representation of who we are and what we do. Episodes of Humankind are available for purchase in various forms. See: www.humanmedia.org.” Thanks, Carol, for letting us know of this resource!

15. Training Research-Literate Chaplains Program Announces First Research Fellows and Curriculum Development Grant Recipients
The Training Research-Literate Chaplains as Ambassadors for Spirituality and Health program announced the selection of its first cohort of chaplain research fellows and of the first recipients of the program’s clinical pastoral education curriculum development grants. The fellowships and grants are part of Training Research-Literate Chaplains’ efforts to advance knowledge about religion and health in healthcare organizations and among the public.

“Healthcare chaplains have embraced the importance of evidence-based practice but lack the training to realize it,” said program co-leader George Fitchett, DMin, PhD, professor and director of research in the Rush Department of Religion, Health and Human Values. “More interdisciplinary collaboration and a growing understanding of how religion and spirituality can positively affect patient health means hospital chaplains are increasingly important members of a patient’s care team.”

“We are thrilled with the opportunities this program is offering to chaplains with a range of backgrounds and experiences,” said Wendy Cadge, PhD, program co-leader and professor of sociology at Brandeis. “The first group of fellows and CPE centers will do much to bridge the gaps between chaplains and other members of the healthcare team. We are grateful to the John Templeton Foundation and the sponsoring chaplaincy organizations for giving all of us this opportunity.”

The Training Research-Literate Chaplains program is funded by $4.5 million in grants from the John Templeton Foundation with additional support from the Association of Professional Chaplains, the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, and Neshama – Association of Jewish Chaplains.

Please go to www.nacc.org/resources/research to learn more of this Training Research-Literate Chaplains Program and who were selected to be part of the first cohort of chaplain research fellows. We are excited and pleased for our NACC member, Allison DeLaney, MA, BCC, PT, chaplain and bereavement coordinator, Hospice House and Support Care of Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Va., who was chosen for this first cohort!

For more information about the Training Research-Literate Chaplains as Ambassadors for Spirituality and Health program, please contact Kathryn_Lyndes@rush.edu. For media inquiries, please contact Kevin_McKeough@rush.edu.

16. Transforming Chaplaincy Applications Is Now Opened
The Transforming Chaplaincy: Promoting Research Literacy for Improved Patient Outcomes project has opened for applications for the second round of awards, as of October 15. The project, funded by the John Templeton Foundation, with support from the APC, NACC, NAJC and ACPE, aims to equip healthcare chaplains to use research to guide, evaluate, and advocate for the daily spiritual care they provide patients, family members and colleagues. Transforming Chaplaincy has three exciting initiatives. The project will provide: 1) Research Chaplain Fellowships to pay for 16 board-certified chaplains to complete a two-year, research-focused master’s degree; 2) Curriculum Development Grants to 70 CPE programs to support incorporation of research literacy education in their residency curricula; and 3) a free Online Continuing Education course, Religion, Spirituality and Health: An Introduction to Research for members of the supporting organizations.

You’ll find details about these three initiatives, including our first round of grant recipients, application information and timelines, on the project website (www.researchliteratechaplaincy.org). Check the Calendar page of the website for important information about activities we have organized to provide additional information about the Fellowships and CPE Grants. These include workshops at upcoming ACPE regional events where a Transforming Chaplaincy representative will be on hand to answer questions. Sign up on the website to be on the email list to receive updates on applications and project-related events. You are also welcome to contact the project coordinator, Kathryn Lyndes, PhD, at Kathryn_Lyndes@rush.edu and 312.942.0247 for further information

17. The remainder of 2016 NACC webinars!

Certification by the NACC
Presented by Linda Bronersky, BCC-S, Sean K. Doll O’Mahoney MDiv, BCC, and Dr. Matthias J. Merges, BCC
Thursday, November 17, 2016 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

Chaplaincy and the Ritual Ministry: Its Role and Value
Presented by Jim Letourneau, BCC, and Linda Bronersky, BCC-S
Thursday, December 8, 2016 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

To register for these webinars, please visit the webinar page on our website by clicking on this LINK. The web page contains a link to a downloadable paper registration form, but you can also register online by clicking on REGISTER. You can also register to access the recordings of previous 2016 webinars at the same web page.

18. All details of remaining 2016 NACC Local Events
Several local gatherings are scheduled for the remainder of 2016. For further information about the events and how to register, please click on the links. If you would like to consider hosting and helping plan an NACC local event, please contact Andris Kursietis (akursietis@nacc.org).

October 27, 2016, St. Clair Shores, MI, see details
November 10, 2016, Cincinnati, OH, see details
November 11, 2016, St. Louis, MO, see details
November 15, 2016, Baltimore, MD, see details
November 19, 2016, Boston, MA, see details

19. Books by NACC retired member, Dr. Gabriel Amoateng-Boahen.
Our NACC retired member, Dr. Gabriel Amoateng-Boahen, sent us info about his two books.
Integral Pastoral Care in Ghana: Proposals For Healing in the Asante Context (2015):
https://www.amazon.com/Integral-Pastoral-Care-Ghana-Proposals/dp/1503591816
And The Culture Of Silence Contributes To Perpetuating Domestic Violence: A Case Study Of Family Life In The Brong Ahafo Region Of Ghana (also 2015).
https://www.amazon.com/%C2%93Culture-Silence%C2%94-Contributes-Perpetuating-Domestic/dp/1503566579
Thank you, Dr. Gabriel for alerting us to these books!

20. Other educational offerings

Providence Health & Services is hosting a day of education in Spokane, Washington, on October 28, 2016, on the subject of Spiritual Care and Mental Health. For more information on the objectives of this program and registration instructions, please click on this link: www.nacc.org/docs/ed-events/Spiritual Care and Mental Health Conference.pdf.
APC – Webinar on “Caring for the Caregiver: Reducing the Stress of Vicarious Trauma,” presented by Nancy Lynch, MDiv, MBA, BCC; Dena L. Mitchell, BSN, RN, CPON, and Shari Racut, MA, ATR-BC, LPCC.

21. Healing Tree: a request for prayers*
Please let us know if you would like our membership to pray for your health and healing. We will leave the person’s name on the Healing Tree list for three months, unless you ask us to remove your or the person’s name earlier. You can always request us to leave the name on longer.

We continue to pray for: Sr. Mary Thecla Kuhnline, Fr. Jim Radde, SJ, Mary Smiley (mother of member Diane Smiley), Mason Richter, Shane Rebholtz, Rosemary Benya BCC, Sr. Nancy Beckenhauer, Linda Dickey, Marilyn and Chuck Silkey (sister and brother-in-law of NACC member Kathy Ponce), Dr. David Nile (Husband of recently deceased NACC member Lucy G. Nile BCC), Amy in Redwood City, CA (friend of NACC member Teresa Sullivan); Julie Bablin, The family of Dale Dewitt, Marie Coglianese, Nancy and Sheila Amrich (nieces-in-law of NACC member Sr. Paracleta Amrich), Isabelita Boquiren, Sister Patricia Watkins, GNSH, Sister Stephanie Morales, FMI, Marybeth Harmon, Susan Balling, Maria Meneses, Chaplain Julia Mary Sweeney (mourning the death of her sister, Margaret Maureen Lewis, BA Honors), Sister M. Dianna Hell, Sister Maria Teresa Hronec, Betty and Louis Skonieczny, Jim Castello, Thomas Smiley(brother of member Diane Smiley), Marga Halala, Thomas (grandson of NACC member Ginny Grimes Allen), Elizabeth A. Walsh, Glenn and Pat Teske, Sr. Mary Clare Boland, SP, Kathy Brier (daughter of NACC member Teresa Brier), Gloria Troxler, and Kelly Elizabeth Sexton (daughter of NACC member Melyssa Sexton).

22. Recent job postings
The following positions have been posted recently on our Positions Available page.
For more information go to www.nacc.org/resources/positions.

FULL TIME CHAPLAIN POSITIONS
Springfield, Massachusetts – Mercy Medical Center and Providence Behavioral Health Hospital

CHAPLAIN
Allegany, New York – St Elizabeth Motherhouse

CHAPLAIN SUPERVISOR
Madison, Wisconsin – University of Wisconsin Health

CHIEF MISSION INTEGRATION OFFICER
Indianapolis, Indiana – St. Vincent Health

CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION SUPERVISOR
Peoria, Illinois – OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

CPE RESIDENCY
La Crosse, Wisconsin – Gundersen Health System

CHAPLAIN
Waterbury, Connecticut – Saint Mary’s Hospital

CHAPLAIN
Park Rapids, Minnesota – CHI St. Joseph’s Health

DIRECTOR, MISSION INTEGRATION and SPIRITUAL CARE
Medford, Oregon – Providence Medford Medical Center

CPE SUPERVISOR
Buffalo, New York – Sisters of Charity Hospital

CHAPLAIN RESIDENTS
Buffalo, New York – Sisters of Charity Hospital

CHAPLAIN
Tampa, Florida – BayCare Health System

NACC Now #234

Issue #234 – October 17, 2016

NACC

2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2017

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

Job Listings

Free Publications

Donate Now

Issue #234 – October 17, 2016

NACC

2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2017

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

Job Listings

Free Publications

Donate Now

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