Issue #296 – March 25, 2019

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

NACC

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
2. NACC members in the news *
3. In Vision: The many faces of trafficking: A survivor’s story *
4. You can still register for the Thursday, April 11, free NACC special webinar on NACC! *
5. June 15, 2019 next deadline for applying for Certified Associate Chaplaincy (CAC) *
6. Final NACC Networking call for March 2019 *

2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MAY 31 – JUNE 3, 2019

7. Friday, May 31, to Monday, June 3, 2019, for NACC National Conference
8. Conference Registration *
9. Pre-Conference Events *
10. Conference Sleeping Room Options *
11. Marketing/Advertising at the Conference
12. Important Dates and Policies

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

13. Request: Please participate in a research study examining virtual chaplaincy *
14. New book, Palliative Care and Catholic Health Care: Two Millennia of Caring for the Whole Person, Editors: Cataldo, Peter J., O’Brien, Dan *
15. CPMC Webinar: Recruiting Volunteers to Ministry to the Incarcerated and their Loved Ones *
16. Accessing the National Consensus Project’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, 4th edition (NCP Guideline)!
17. Learning to Heal: Reflections on Nursing School in Poetry and Prose *
18. Next week Thursday, April 4, is our next NACC webinar – register now! *
19. You can also still register for our entire 2019 NACC webinar series!
20. Access the CHA Resources for Lent and Easter
21. Healing Tree: a request for prayers *
22. Recent job postings *

 

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
Yesterday’s first reading for Cycle C was the familiar one of Moses encountering God in the burning bush. I must admit that my memory was fixed on the sacredness and mystery of the encounter. The first words of Yahweh were: “Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Of course, it reminded me of the beautiful song of Michael Talbot, Holy Ground, www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YCXLbQ6ClA. How each moment of ministry can be sacred, God’s presence in the person and the encounter.

However, this time I heard more clearly the next message, “I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt and have heard their cry of complaint against their slave drivers, so I know well what they are suffering.” God’s presence is always Presence to and in the passion of people. God witnesses what people experience and listens to the cries of the heart! How could I forget that any encounter I have with God is certainly hearing “you are my beloved” but also hearing “these are my beloved, you whose affliction I see and cries I hear!” As much as I want God for myself sometimes, “my” prayer gets crowded and put into a broader context as God alerts me to those on God’s heart and mind. My awareness of God with me is not just “Good to be with you, Lord.” but also “Yes, I am open as you share with me Your concerns and desires for those You love.”

Then, what do I do with that awareness? Well, it was Moses’ call to make those sufferings and cries his own, leading him to vocation. God gave him simply the “I am who I am” and “I AM sent me to you.” I like the translation of the Hebrew ehyeh asher ehyeh that expresses “I will be what I will be” or “I will become whatsoever I will become.” It communicates better God’s promise to Moses, to God’s people, and to me and you, that God will be what we need (not want) God to be.
I appreciate more now the truth that whatever I need God to be “for me” is first and foremost the God who hears not only my cries, but the cries of humanity. It puts all and anything I experience and need into the embrace of all humanity. It’s not so much standing in line to wait my turn with God, but more so the blending of my voice with all those who trustingly cry out to God that God will be with and for us now and forever.

Is that what made the ground holy? Not holiness as otherness, but the holiness of witnessing afflictions and hearing cries of humanity that God shared with Moses?

What makes the ground of your ministry and my ministry holy ground?

Blessings on our Lenten Journey together,

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

 

2. NACC members in the news *
Our NACC member, Amie Schumacher, BCC, recently was among the 24 leaders chosen from an applicant pool of more than 600 as the 2019 Bush Fellows, one of the largest and most prestigious fellowships in the country. The Bush Foundation chooses visionary leaders “who are thinking big about how to invest in their leadership to creatively solve problems in their communities. The 24 Fellows hail from communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography:” Congratulations, Amie! To read more, go to
www.bushfoundation.org/fellows/amie-schumacher and
www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2019/03/20/bush-foundation-fellowships-award-st-cloud-minnesota-ibrahim-schumacher/3223670002

 

3. In Vision: The many faces of trafficking: A survivor’s story *
As a white girl from the suburbs, Emmy Myers might not look like the face of trafficking. But after escaping from several years in the life, she is now working to raise awareness and help victims. She tells her story to David Lewellen in the new issue of Vision.

 

4. You can still register for the Thursday, April 11, free NACC special webinar on NACC! *
Thursday, April 11, 2019, 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m. Central Time, The NACC and You: Bringing Your Gifts to Leadership, presented by NACC leaders. This webinar will provide the participants an overview of the NACC with its governance structure and the diverse committees, commissions, and panels that require our NACC members’ leadership, as well as the certification opportunities for interviewers and Interview Team Educators (ITE). The intent of this workshop is to provide the participants an understanding of the diverse opportunities for leadership to support and advance the NACC’s mission and vision. This interactive exchange will allow time for you to reflect upon and discern where and how you might be able to offer your gifts in service to your fellow members and the profession of chaplaincy.

This free webinar will provide 2 CEHs (90 minutes for the webinar plus 30 minutes preparation time). Although this webinar is provided free of charge, please register to participate so that we may send you the links to access the presentation. To register online please use the following link: REGISTER. Alternatively, please send an e-mail to Andris Kursietis at the national office (akursietis@nacc.org) and indicate your interest in registering for this webinar.

If you have any questions about NACC webinars, please contact Andris Kursietis at the NACC national office at 414-483-4898 or akursietis@nacc.org.

 

5. June 15, 2019 next deadline for applying for Certified Associate Chaplaincy (CAC) *
The new postmark deadline for accepting six applicants for the Certified Associate Chaplaincy (CAC) pilot process will be June 15, 2019. One of the prerequisites is to have the equivalent of 32 hours of graduate-level theological education. In order to assess this prerequisite, we have an application form that needs to be filled out, with accompanying evidentiary documentation, approximately nine (9) weeks before application. You may find the application materials and more information here: www.nacc.org/certification/applying-for-cac-certification.

 

6. Final NACC Networking call for March 2019 *
If you’ve had difficulty in joining calls using ZOOM, please let Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org) know so that we can address the difficulty. THANK YOU!

Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 12 p.m. CT, NACC Palliative Care/Hospice Networking Call

As the time of the call gets closer and you have replied that you will participate, we will forward ZOOM passcodes for a visual connection via internet or, if you prefer, you can still call in via a phone line.

By registering for the call, even if you cannot participate, you will receive notes of the conversation and resources shared.

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. Unfortunately, calls lose value if there are too few participants. In order for the call to have the most value for participants, we will postpone a call until the next quarter if there are fewer than 5 participants who have registered for the call a week prior to its scheduled date. To sign up, contact Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org).

 

2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MAY 31 – JUNE 3, 2019

7. Friday, May 31, to Monday, June 3, 2019, for NACC National Conference
Mark your calendars for the NACC Conference in 2019! This conference will be held Friday, May 31, to Monday, June 3, 2019, at the University of St. Mary of the Lake Conference Center in Mundelein, IL. It will be preceded by preconference workshops and our NACC retreat. Plan to join us!

 

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 or Daily Registration rates. Visit the NACC website for more information.

 

9. Pre-Conference Events *
Already registered for the conference but looking to receive further continuing education hours? Consider registering for the pre-conference Day of Reflection (Thursday), or one of the 6-hour Formation Training Programs (Thursday), or the American Red Cross Disaster Training. See more information on each below. If you are already registered and want to add a pre-conference event, please email the NACC national office.

 

10. Conference Sleeping Room Options *
The NACC is pleased to offer options for accommodations for your time at the 2019 Conference.

1. University of St. Mary of the Lake (USML) – Only a few rooms left, reserve yours today before they run out. only a few rooms remain. Reserve your room today before they sell out!
2. Joseph and Mary Retreat House SOLD OUT! No more rooms available.
3. Marytown Franciscan Retreat Center SOLD OUT! No more rooms available.
4. Doubletree by Hilton Hotel – Only a few rooms left, reserve yours today before they run out. only a few rooms remain. Reserve your room today before they sell out!

Visit the NACC website for more information about each option and how to make your reservation.
If you are looking for a roommate, please use the NACC roommate referral service to facilitate your search.

 

11. Marketing/Advertising at the Conference
The NACC is offering several options for interested parties to reach our 300+ conference attendees. Registration for marketing & advertising opportunities must be completed by using our online registration system. Registration closes March 31, 2019. Visit the NACC website for more information. If you have any questions, please contact the NACC national office.

 

12. Important Dates and Policies
All important “date” information is available on the NACC website at www.nacc.org/conference/important-dates/. Please review the important dates and policies prior to registering for the conference.

 

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

13. Request: Please participate in a research study examining virtual chaplaincy *
You are invited to participate in a research study examining virtual chaplaincy. You were selected as a possible participant in the study because you are a chaplain and a member of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.

The survey should take about 7-10 minutes. You will be asked to describe your chaplaincy experience, virtual chaplaincy experience or lack thereof, and thoughts on virtual chaplaincy. No benefits accrue to you for answering the survey. Your responses will be used to explore an under-researched topic in chaplaincy and inform potential virtual chaplaincy strategies.

There is minimal risk for participation in this study. Your identity will not be linked to your responses unless you agree to be contacted for an interview and provide contact information. If you agree to be contacted for a later interview, your identity will only be known to the primary investigator and will de-identified after contact. If selected for an interview, there is a $20 incentive.

Your completion of the survey implies consent to participate in this research study. If you decide to participate, you are free to stop at any time; you may also skip questions if you do not want to answer them, or you may choose not to return the survey.

To take the survey, click on the following link: http://j.mp/2UTeqTW

Please feel free to ask questions regarding this study. You may contact me if you have additional questions via email (petra.wahnefried@atriumhealth.org).

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Petra Sprik, MDiv, BCC
Chaplain
Transforming Chaplaincy Fellow
Levine Cancer Institute
Atrium Health

 

14. New book, Palliative Care and Catholic Health Care: Two Millennia of Caring for the Whole Person, Editors: Cataldo, Peter J., O’Brien, Dan *
Website introduction of book states: This book offers a comprehensive overview of the compatibility of palliative care with the vision of human dignity in the Catholic moral and theological traditions. The unique value of this book is that it presents expert analysis of the major domains of palliative care and how they are compatible with, and enhanced by, the holistic vision of the human person in Catholic health care. This volume will serve as a critically important ethical and theological resource on palliative care, including care at the end of life, for bioethicists, theologians, palliative care specialists, other health care professionals, Catholic health care sponsors, health care administrators and executives, clergy, and students. Patients receiving palliative care and their families will also find this book to be a clarifying and reassuring resource. https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783030050047

 

15. CPMC Webinar: Recruiting Volunteers to Ministry to the Incarcerated and their Loved Ones *

When: Apr 3, 2019 3:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Our presenters will discuss strategies for recruiting and supporting volunteers in this critical pastoral care ministry of the church.

For live participants, there will be an opportunity to send in questions. This webinar will be recorded and and is sponsored by the Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition.

Featuring Sr. Rita Mary Harwood, SND and Harry J. Dudley, D.Min.

Sister Rita Mary Harwood, SND, Secretary for Parish Life and Development, Diocese of Cleveland. She has worked on the front line in prison ministry and by working with an advisory, committee, Sr. Rita has engaged more than 400 volunteers from parishes in this work.

Harry J. Dudley, D.Min., consultant and founder of Ambulans Vobiscum Consulting, LLC, is recently retired Assistant Director of Certification for the USCCB, Secretariat for Catholic Education. Dr. Dudley has had extensive experience in recruiting and training volunteers in church and other non-profit settings.

We look forward to being with you at this event, provided by Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition.

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://usfca.zoom.us/webinar/register/1f9ad9a90e185842cde7dc3c8da9331e

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

 

16. Accessing the National Consensus Project’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, 4th edition (NCP Guideline)!

• Discounts for NCP Guidelines bulk order purchases available! In addition to a free online downloadable version, discounts are available for bulk orders (5+ hard copies) of the National Consensus Project’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, 4th edition (NCP Guidelines). To order bulk copies, contact orders@nationalcoalitionhpc.org.
• NCP Guidelines slide deck available for speakers! A complete slide deck of the National Consensus Project’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, 4th edition (NCP Guidelines) is available to download and use for your conference sessions, trainings and meetings. The PowerPoint includes 40 slides plus speaker notes and is available to access under ‘Education Resources’ at www.nationalcoalitionhpc.org/ncp.
• NCP Guidelines in the News! See the latest news about the National Consensus Project’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, 4th edition (NCP Guidelines), including AARP’s blog and CHAP’s NEW Palliative Care Certification for home and community based providers. Keep following @Coalitionhpc for more updates and retweet posts re: #NCPGuidelines.

 

17. Learning to Heal: Reflections on Nursing School in Poetry and Prose *
The NACC Nurse Chaplain Network recently discussed a newly published resource that would be helpful for all members of the healthcare team. Learning to Heal: Reflections on Nursing School in Poetry and Prose is an anthology of stories intended to educate the general public about the contribution of nursing from the perspective of graduates of nursing programs both recently and during the past 50 years. The themes of nursing – compassion, empathy, the depth of the nurse-patient-family relationship, and the nurse’s role in assessing spiritual/cultural needs are threaded throughout the more than fifty contributors’ reflections. NACC certified chaplain, Sister Frances Smalkowski CFSN, BCC, in a chapter entitled “The Silent Treatment,” described her own experience as a nursing student in a large urban psychiatric hospital and the challenge of establishing a therapeutic relationship with a patient from a different culture. The book, edited by Jeanne Bryner and Cortney Davis and published by the Kent State University Press, would serve as an excellent gift and offer assistance for chaplains called upon to facilitate discussion about nursing and spiritual care and/or participate in annual nursing events, rituals and services. www.kentstateuniversitypress.com/2017/learning-to-heal

 

18. Next week Thursday, April 4, is our next NACC webinar – register now! *

Thursday, April 4, 2019. Outpatient Chaplaincy – From Vision to Practice During Our First Year, presented by David W. King, MMin, NCCA Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor, Certified Spiritual Director; Laura P. Parsons, BCC; James D. Richter, MA Theology and Bea Broder-Oldach, DMin, BCC.

As healthcare migrates to clinics, surgery sites and non-acute locations, chaplains must urgently follow in order to best serve patients and staff. Exploring new opportunities for spiritual care without embedding, you will follow Secours Mercy Health’s Cincinnati pilot, Outpatient Spiritual Care Services, during their first full year and into a regional roll-out. While not a ‘primer,’ this webinar provides ample encouragement for others to find their own vision for the future. It explores how determination, connection and grant funding can be a catalyst for migration of services as the progressive and pro-active mandate for the future of professional chaplaincy in healthcare!

Program Objectives
By the end of this webinar, participants will:
1. View outpatient Chaplaincy in healthcare as a 21st century horizon that is reachable if driven by Mission
2. Understand how vision, clinical support(s) and alternate funding can help create energy for expansion
3. Embrace Ambulatory care centers – wound, CHF, pulmonary, PT/OT, Diabetes and especially PCP offices as new sacred ground for chaplains and their ministry.

To register online and pay by credit card for this webinar, or for any other NACC 2019 regular series webinar, please visit the registration page by clicking on this LINK. NACC Student members wishing to register online should use the following special link: STUDENTS. If you prefer to register using a paper registration form and pay by check, a downloadable registration form can be accessed at this LINK. Information about our 2019 webinars can be found at the following link: 2019 webinars.

 

19. You can also still register for our entire 2019 NACC webinar series!
You can still register for the 2019 NACC webinar series! This year the series comprises 12 webinars, instead of the 11 per year that has been the norm during the past few years, plus the usual free webinars on Certification with the NACC and Renewal of Certification. Details of each of the webinars and information on how to register for them are available on our website: LINK.

For NACC members the registration fee for each individual webinar is $40 per connection for the live sessions or $40 to purchase access to the recordings. There is a special rate of $20 per webinar for those who have NACC student membership. For non-members the registration fee is $55 per connection for the live sessions or $55 to purchase access to the recordings. We are offering a special package that includes all twelve of our regular January – December 2019 webinars at a discounted rate of $340 for NACC members ($170 for NACC student members) and $450 for non-members. Registrants for the package deal will receive access to the recordings of the webinars that have already taken place.

To register online and pay by credit card, please visit the registration page by clicking on this LINK. NACC student members wishing to register online should use the following special link: STUDENTS. If you prefer to register using a paper registration form and pay by check, a downloadable registration form can be accessed at this LINK.

NOTE: All of the NACC webinars are recorded, and online access to the recordings is made available to all registrants. If you cannot participate live, you still have the opportunity to enhance your learning (and earn CEHs) by means of the recordings.

 

20. Access the CHA Resources for Lent and Easter
Catholic Health Association (CHA) offers resources on Lent and Easter. They provide weekly video and hardcopy reflections for the season of Lent, which started with Ash Wednesday on March 6 and concludes Saturday, April 20. They also offer an Easter Reflection for Sunday, April 21. These connect themes of Lent with the realities of working in Catholic health and long-term care; each reflection shares a simple message that they hope resonates with associates and those in our care. It is available to all. www.chausa.org/prayers/video-audio-reflections/lent-reflections

 

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: Jennifer Luse, Sr. Theresa Chiappa SSC, Debra (Debbie) Shea and her family (for healing after the death of her husband, Danny.), Kathy Eldridge (for healing after the death of her son, Kurt), Conny Pawicz (husband of Mary Pawicz) Nolan (3-year-old grandson of member Dale Recinella), 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.

 

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 NEEDED
Toledo, Ohio – St. Vincent Medical Center and Children’s Hospital

REGIONAL DIRECTOR, SPIRITUAL CARE
Toledo, Ohio – Mercy Health

CHAPLAIN (Fulltime)
Baltimore, Maryland – Mercy Health Services

BOARD CERTIFIED CHAPLAIN
Rosemont, Pennsylvania – The Holy Child Center in Rosemont

DIRECTOR of MISSION
Paducah, Kentucky – Bon Secours Mercy Health

CHAPLAIN
St. Cloud, Minnesota – CentraCare Health’s St. Cloud Hospital

DIRECTOR of PASTORAL CARE
Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Our Lady of the Lake Hospital

PASTORAL CARE MINISTER
Flourtown, PA – Saint Joseph Villa

CHAPLAIN
Lincoln, NE – Bryan Health

View these jobs and more at www.nacc.org/resources/positions.