Issue #273 – April 30, 2018
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NACC
1. Executive Director’s Reflection*
2. We are grateful to the many contributing to the May 19 & 20, 2018, Certification Interviews!*
3. In Vision: Chaplains should know advance directive laws in their state*
4. NACC Networking calls for May and June 2018*
5. Encourage your volunteers to join NACC in our Ministry Volunteer membership!
6. Five Reasons to read Vision
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
APC/NACC 2018 CONFERENCE, Thursday, July 12, to Sunday, July 15, 2018!
7. Special Conference Registration Offer from APC/NACC!*
8. Conference Registration
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
9. Request: Are you interested in a networking group and for pediatric chaplains?*
10. Take advantage of the next NACC Webinar, Thursday, May 17, 2018.*
11. Remember that next week, May 6-12, is National Nurses Week! CHA Resources here.*
12. Have you seen these resources?*
13. NACC Local Gatherings*
14. Healing Tree: a request for prayers*
15. Recent job postings*
(Items marked with a * are new or updated items)
1. Executive Director’s Reflection
Yesterday’s Gospel from John 15 included these very familiar verses: “Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-7) These verses remind me of the many times in our ministry that we are with someone in their darkness or fragile circumstances and we sense the call to linger, stay, remain with that one. What is the tug? The Spirit? The existential bond with all humanity? Our aversion to isolation or being disconnected triggered by our own experiences of being alone in pain? Our compassion? What draws us to remain to stay those extra five, ten minutes, or longer? Whatever it might be, it started with the profound sense of the other’s presence.
What also struck me this time with these verses was for me “to remain” anywhere means that I am already somewhere, with someone, in someone. The words of Jesus jolt me into realizing again that I am there, with Him, in Him, right now! I do not need to conjure up who, where, when, because He remains in us and we in Him. Right now, as I write, as you read!
It reminds me of one of my favorite Thomas Merton quotes,
In prayer we discover what we already have.
You start where you are, and you deepen what you already have.
And you realize that you are already there.
We already have everything, but we don’t know it and we don’t experience it.
All we need is to experience what we already possess.
The trouble is we aren’t taking the time to do so.
I think back on those ministry encounters. I deeply feel the tug to stay, to remain, because I am so taken and captivated by, drawn into, that person at that moment. I wonder how well I hear the “remain in me” of Jesus in that way, as visceral longing, a deep grip, and an inescapable, siren-like lure? Is He that real to me, in my ministry? Or in Merton’s words, “We already have everything, but we don’t know it and we don’t experience it.”
So, what is our ministerial experience of “remain in me?”
David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director
2. We are grateful to the many contributing to the May 19 & 20, 2018, Certification Interviews!
The National Office and many volunteers have been busy completing preparations for the May 19 & 20, 2018, certification interviews. The interviews are being held in Middletown, CT; Irving, TX; Milwaukee, WI; and Portland, OR. There are 100 people involved in the interview weekend: 39 applicants, 42 interviewers, 10 Interview Team Educators (including 2 shadow ITEs), 4 Site Coordinators, 1 Certification Commissioner-on-Call, and 4 Pastoral Presence Volunteers as well as Other Volunteers. We are so thankful for all our volunteers’ hard work and dedication to the NACC Certification process! Please keep our certification applicants, and all those involved in making the weekend a success, in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare for interviews.
3. In Vision: Chaplains should know advance directive laws in their state
Along with personal and medical decisions, advance care planning also requires legal decisions. In the current issue of Vision, attorney Danielle Sapega gives an overview of relevant laws — but they might differ in every state.
4. NACC Networking calls for May and June 2018
If you wish to participate on any of these calls and are not already on that particular call list, please contact Ramune Franitza at rfranitza@nacc.org for information. Times listed are Central Time Zone.
Thursday, May 24; 3 p.m. CT Palliative Care/Hospice Networking Group
Friday, June 1; 10 a.m. CT CPE Educators Networking Call Group
Tuesday, June 5; 11 a.m. CT Behavioral Health Networking Call
Wednesday, June 6; 2 p.m. CT Nurse Chaplain Networking Call
Thursday, June 28; 3 p.m. CT Palliative Care/Hospice Networking Group
NACC realizes the value of networking and appreciates members taking time out of their schedules to share and lend support to others who are ministering in the same area.
NACC is looking at alternate ways to connect our members, but until then, this quarterly call is a means to that end.
Unfortunately, the calls lose value if there are few participants, limiting the sharing that could take place. For the call to have the most value for participants, we will postpone a call until the next quarter if there are less than 5 participants who have signed up for the call a week prior to its scheduled date.
NACC appreciates the effort it takes to participate and hears of the value these calls provide out members.
5. Encourage your volunteers to join NACC in our Ministry Volunteer membership!
This is probably our best-kept secret – our Ministry Volunteer membership! Knowing the many volunteers that serve in your settings, have you invited them, would you invite them to join NACC?
We have many resources available. Their participation in our webinars and accessing past webinars can provide them with ongoing education. Here is a link to our membership page. Here is a link to our Ministry Volunteer membership application. Consider making some copies and giving them to your volunteers.
6. Five Reasons to read Vision
Are you reading our publication, Vision? Here are five quick reasons you should be!
- Vision is always available. Vision is accessible and available to read online 24/7, and the online format allows readers to easily share articles with anyone else in the world, instantly: https://www.nacc.org/vision/
- Vision includes a version optimized for printability. If you prefer not to read articles on a screen, or if you need a low-tech version while away from wi-fi coverage or devices, every issue is also posted in a PDF format that is optimized for printing. Extra graphics and colors (that waste ink) are not featured in the printable version, and if you happened to have access to a printer that can print two-sided documents, the PDF can be printed in a very readable and portable booklet format.
- Vision is mobile-friendly. Vision (and the rest of our website) translates very well to a mobile format, making articles easy and clear to read on your phone or tablet. If you haven’t tried it yet, please do. You will be pleasantly surprised!
- Over 100 back issues are available. Our archived library of Vision issues goes back sixteen years, with more on the way: https://www.nacc.org/vision/backissues/
- You can read classic reflections. There is a complete archive of former NACC President and CEO Fr. Joseph Driscoll’s reflections available to read: https://www.nacc.org/vision/jjdcolumn/
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
APC/NACC 2018 CONFERENCE, Thursday, July 12, to Sunday, July 15, 2018!
7. Special Conference Registration Offer from APC/NACC!
Register for the APC/NACC Joint Conference before May 18 and Receive a FREE PDI*.
Don’t miss out on your chance to attend the largest conference for chaplains in 2018!
Register today for the 2018 APC/NACC Joint Conference in Anaheim, CA, July 12-15 and join us as “Partners in Shaping the Future!”
If you register between today and May 18 you can select one of the PDI’s listed below at no additional charge.
- PW4.04 A Pastoral Theology of the Immigrant and Its Implications for Pastoral Care
- PW4.06 Human Trafficking & Spiritual Care: Developing & Sustaining Spiritual Care Initiatives with Victims & Survivors
- PW4.08 The Value and Practice of Qualitative Research in Spiritual Care
- PT4.02 Understanding Poverty and How to Use Charity Tracker to Reduce Readmissions and Build Healthier Communities
- PT4.09 Case Studies: Working with a Format. Dutch Case Studies Project
- PT4.11 Getting Noticed to Getting Hired – What to Do?
That’s right, attendees who select a Full Registration before May 18 receive a FREE PDI from the list above.
To receive the free PDI, please use the discount code FULLPDI when you register.
But you must register before May 18.
Don’t Delay, Register Today!
*Applies to Full Conference registrations only and is not applicable to Student, Daily or Early Bird registrations.
8. Conference Registration
While Early Bird registration is now closed, there is still time to register to attend the conference utilizing the Full Conference registration rate. Visit the NACC website for more information.
Already registered for the conference but looking to receive further continuing education hours? Consider registering for the pre-conference Day of Reflection or one of our many Professional Development Intensives. Information on all pre and post conference offerings is available on the website. If you are interested in registering for any additional offerings, simply reply to your conference registration email to request the addition OR call the APC office (847.240.1014).
For more information about the Conference go to:
www.nacc.org/conference
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
9. Request: Are you interested in a networking group for pediatric chaplains?
Some of our members working as pediatric chaplains have expressed interest in having a networking group among our members whose main ministry is in pediatrics. If you would be interested in being part of that pediatric chaplain network, please email Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org). We know some of you also belong to the Pediatric Chaplains Network (pediatricchaplains.org). Their national conference is May 21-24, 2018.
10. Take advantage of the next NACC Webinar, Thursday, May 17, 2018.
On Thursday, May 17, 2018, the NACC will host the next NACC webinar of our 2018 series, Responding to Research: Matching Expressed Learning Needs with What Chaplains Do Best presented by Robert Mundle, MDiv, ThM, STM, RP. This webinar will demonstrate how chaplains can apply current research literature to their clinical practice and broaden their professional profiles as educators, qualitative interviewers, and authors. Responding to specific expressed learning needs of hospice palliative care volunteers for more communication skills training in end-of-life care, the presenter will share details from his latest research project on listening and listeners that will be published in a forthcoming journal article and book. The webinar will also address creative approaches to spiritual health assessment and intervention, including topics of narrative identity and expression, symbols and metaphors, poetry, and personal objects.
Additional information about this webinar (and our other 2018 webinars) can be found at the following link: 2018 webinars.
To register online and pay by credit card, for this webinar as well as for any other NACC 2018 regular series webinar, please visit the registration page by clicking on this LINK. If you prefer to register using a paper registration form and pay by check, a downloadable registration form can be accessed at this LINK.
11. Remember that next week, May 6-12, is National Nurses Week! CHA Resources here.
Each year from May 6 to May 12, communities across the country recognize the invaluable work of nurses during National Nurses Week.
To honor our ministries’ nurses, and to celebrate their gifts and talents, CHA is pleased to be able to share some resources that might be of use in your week’s activities. Please feel free to repost them on your intranet and internets, post in staff areas and generally share across your organization. They include:
- Meditation for a Nurse
- Nurse’s Prayer
- Group liturgy process
- Reflection from a nurse
- Prayer Service for Nurses in Ministry
- Prayer from the nursing chapter of Voices from the Journey
- A Blessing for Nurses
National Nurses Week coincides with National Hospital Week. Here are some reflection resources for all health care workers:
12. Have you seen these resources?
- Kevin Murphy PhD, Vice President, Theology and Ethics, Catholic Health Initiatives, contacted NACC to alert us to and make available to NACC members two helpful resources. We are very grateful to Kevin and CHI:
- The EthicsLab Podcast explores current healthcare ethics issues with national experts to provide better knowledge and practical results.
https://www.missiononline.net/ethics/ethics-lab/ - The Mission Innovation Podcast interviews known thought leaders and practical innovators on building the intersection between mission, organizational life, leadership, culture, faith and spirit.
https://www.missiononline.net/ethics/mission-innovation-podcast/ - The recent book, Redemption and Restoration, develops the traditional Catholic understanding of justice, offers a theological understanding of restorative justice, explains how it can be implemented, and reflects on the practical arguments for restorative justice. Grounded in the stories of real people, Redemption and Restoration helps readers gain a deeper understanding of how this affects us all as a country and a church. It includes discussion questions to engage groups in exploring issues related to restorative justice.
https://catholicsmobilizing.org/resource/redemption-and-restoration - A well-done news item on Archdiocese of Boston’s commitment to Palliative Care.
http://scituate.wickedlocal.com/news/20180426/blessing-of-palliative-care
13. NACC Local Gatherings
- Save the date! Alexandria, MN!
The 2018 Fall Chaplains’ Conference will take place in Alexandria, Minnesota on September 20-21. The theme for this year’s event is “The Prophets: Speaking to Us in Times of Loss, Trauma, and Injustice,” with Rev. Dale Launderville, OSB, and Dr. Corrine Carvalho as the speakers. Further details and registration information will be sent out shortly.
14. 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: Sister Maria Luisa Guerena, CSC, Jim Letourneau (on the death of his brother, John), Nolan (3 year old grandson of Dale Recinella), Tim Charek, Joe Cipriano, Sheila Fonseca, Sr. Mary Clare Boland, SP, Fr. Jim Radde, SJ, Julie Bablin, Sheila Amrich (niece-in-law of NACC member Sr. Paracleta Amrich), Isabelita Boquiren, Susan Balling, Jim and Frances Castello.
15. 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.
SPIRITUAL CARE MINISTER – 40hrs/wk – Days
Eau Claire, Wisconsin – HSHS Sacred Heart
STAFF CHAPLAIN
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania – Geisinger Holy Spirit Hospital
CHAPLAIN
Waterloo, Iowa – Covenant Medical Center
PRIEST
Eugene, Oregon – PeaceHealth’s Sacred Heart at Riverbend Medical Center
FULL TIME STAFF CHAPLAIN
Beaumont, Texas – CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth
SPIRITUAL CARE MANAGER
Everett, Washington – Providence Regional Medical Center
ACPE SUPERVISOR/EDUCATOR – Full Time
Langhorne, Pennsylvania – St. Mary Medical Center
CHAPLAIN FT Days
Tucson, Arizona – Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital
ACPE CERTIFIED EDUCATOR
Orange, California – St. Joseph Hospital of Orange
View these jobs and more at www.nacc.org/resources/positions.
