Issue #198 – May 26, 2015
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NACC
1. Executive Director’s Reflection
2. Forty-seven members have already joined NACC in 2015!
3. Death of an NACC member: Barbara Malueg
4. Please continue to respond to the Time and Talent Volunteer Program Survey!
5. Still time to write for Vision on the “Toward Better Charting” theme
6. One remaining NACC networking call in May
7. Read about Wendy Cadge’s talk in May-June Vision on 2015 NACC Conference
8. Have you read this notice regarding your NACC membership renewal process?
NACC – 50 YEARS OF CONTINUING THE HEALING MINISTRY
9. Examples of early chaplaincy training program materials
10. Reflecting on the ministry: Davlyn Duesterhaus
50th ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE
11. Ordering audio recordings of 2015 National Conference materials
2016 NATIONAL CONFERENCE
12. Mark your calendar for April 22-25, 2016, for the NACC 2016 National Conference!
13. 2016 NACC Conference Planning Task Force members begin to meet
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
14. Would you be interested in networking nationally on models to provide spiritual care in outpatient settings? *
15. Seeking examples of spiritual screening tools utilized by nurses
16. Was your career in nursing before becoming a chaplain? Can we talk?
17. Interested in being part of a network of colleagues working to improve use of spiritual care volunteers in their settings?
18. Request: Are you part of Schwartz Center Rounds in your hospital setting?
19. NACC 2015 Webinars
20. NACC Local Gatherings
21. Trinity Health 2015-2016 Webinars
22. APC Webinars
23. Healing Tree: a request for prayers
24. Recent job postings
(Items marked with a * are new or updated items)
Executive Director’s Reflection*
This past Sunday was Pentecost. So how do you feel? Filled with the Spirit?
I recall in the preparation for confirmation class (5th grade back then) when we needed to memorize the fruits of the Spirit of Galatians 5:22-23, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” They were a little more challenging to memorize than the four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance), and the seven gifts of the Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord). Even now I can quickly name the four and seven, but not the eight. Why is that? More to memorize? Less poetic or mnemonic? Whatever the reason, we were left with the impression that the Spirit had lots to give and leave with us. So what is the Spirit’s presence to you now?
I recall an image once shared by a priest friend. When he was a young child, he remembered running into his parents’ bedroom on a Saturday morning (when they could sleep in) and jumping into bed between them. They would stir, see him, and then softly begin to speak to one another about the day ahead and weekend, as well as share events of the past week. And every now and then include my friend in the conversation. He often would just close his eyes and listen to their exchange. The memory evokes intimacy, tenderness, and love. He would recall that memory at times in prayer when he would be distracted, as it brought him back to the conversation of these two people who loved him dearly, and he shared in that love. When he thinks of the Spirit, that conversation comes back – as these two (his parents) were so in love, it flowed over to him and he shared in it and was one in it. The love did not belong to either of them alone, but was another shared reality. The recall in prayer helped him imagine, in prayer, that he sat in the Spirit, the shared love of Son and Father – and let the fruits of this intimacy, tenderness and love penetrate him. It’s a beautiful image of the Spirit.
So it’s Pentecost. We have lots of gifts and fruits given us. What’s one for you today?
David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director
Forty-seven members have already joined NACC in 2015!*
The NACC has forty-seven (47) new members from January-April, 2015. 29 full members, 15 students, and 3 associates. Welcome to you! Please go here to view their names: www.nacc.org/membership/new
Death of an NACC member: Barbara Malueg*
We just recently learned of the death of our NACC member, Barbara Malueg. Barbara was very generous to NACC with her gifts, including being the Workshop Chair on the 2011 Conference Planning Task Force, and very present to the Wisconsin chaplain gatherings. May she enjoy the fullness of God’s peace! We will miss you, Barbara!
www.legacy.com/obituaries/postcrescent/obituary?pid=174686443
Please continue to respond to the Time and Talent Volunteer Program Survey!*
Now over 250 NACC members have responded to our Time and Talent Volunteer Program Survey. This information will be very helpful to us as we learn more about you, your interests, your areas of professional experience and expertise. As we seek leaders for our NACC leadership needs, we look forward to hearing from you. If you have not completed it yet, we welcome you to do so at www.surveymonkey.com/r/2FFNN2J. With gratitude…
Still time to write for Vision on the “Toward Better Charting” theme*
“Toward Better Charting” will be the theme of the July-August issue of Vision, and we encourage NACC members to share their experience and ways to improve this vital service. We are looking for leading practices in how to write and evaluate notes that will be helpful both to spiritual care coworkers and to those on the interdisciplinary team. We are also interested in articles that share your learning (guidelines and cautions) when moving your charting to the EMR or EHR platform. Please send a summary of your idea for an article to David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org. The deadline for finished stories is June 8.
One remaining NACC networking call in May*
If you would like to participate in this networking call, please contact Tim Charek (tcharek@nacc.org).
- Thursday, May 28, at 11:00 a.m. Central time – Palliative Care/Hospice Group
Read about Wendy Cadge’s talk in May-June Vision on 2015 NACC Conference*
Sociologist Wendy Cadge presented an illuminating talk on the current state of chaplaincy within healthcare at the NACC’s 2015 annual conference, saying that until chaplains have a licensing system, they probably face a losing struggle to define their profession in the eyes of society. To read a summary in May-June issue of Vision, click here.
Have you read this notice regarding your NACC membership renewal process?
We want to remind our members that since our conversion to the new NACC database last fall (that made possible your ability to enter your profile information and make membership payments via the NACC website), we needed to change the membership expiration date to the first day of your renewal month. So we now are sending via email your first membership renewal notice two months prior to your renewal month, and indicate that your dues are to be paid by the first day of your renewal month. Our second notice is sent to you via email, the beginning of the month prior to when your dues are expected to be paid. Please note that we are still providing you with two months in which to remit payment. However, we are providing you with two months prior to your due date in which payment should be received. We do apologize for any inconvenience this might initially cause you the first time around with this process, and ask for your prayer and patience with the implementation of our new system. Thank you.
NACC – 50 YEARS OF CONTINUING THE HEALING MINISTRY
Examples of early chaplaincy training program materials*
David Lichter recently had the privilege to meet with Sr. Anna Marie (Gerard) Schwieder, OSF, of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis (www.hospitalsisters.org), now 92 years old, who in the early 1970’s was one of the first five sisters who became members and certified. In the ’70’s she and colleague sisters offered a five-week hospital training program, mostly for sisters of other communities, that helped prepare them to become certified. Sr. Anna Marie recently sent a copy of the announcement for the hospital ministry training programs, and a listing of lectures and topics. Thank you, Sr. Anna Marie!
www.nacc.org/aboutnacc/50th-anniversary
Reflecting on the ministry: Davlyn Duesterhaus*
Anxious, talkative patient learns power of silence
By Davlyn Duesterhaus
Richard (not his real name) came from a local hospital to the hospice inpatient unit where I serve as chaplain. He was in his late 70s, and the nurse told me that Richard seemed anxious and possibly could benefit from a chaplain.
When I came to his room, he talked nonstop about everything. He hardly took a breath and did not give me much wiggle room to respond. During his stream of words, he said he had asked God why God didn’t hear his prayers, but he went on talking, and I didn’t get a chance to even explore his question. When he was tired, he stopped abruptly and asked for a prayer. I began to pray, but he interrupted and prayed over me. Finally, he let me give him a hug before he took a nap.
The following day’s visit began the same way with the incessant talking, repeating some of what he had said and asking the same question about God not hearing his prayers. Mentally, I was trying to process whether he was afraid he would hear God. Was he avoiding giving God a chance? Finally, I decided to put my hands up, motioning him to stop talking. He did, briefly. But then he started up again. I put my hands up a second time.
We had to repeat this several times before he gave me a chance to help him learn to be quiet within. I explained a one-minute exercise of silence, using the forceful phrase “shut up” so he could hear God speak to him. It was hard for him as I counted the seconds. But we did the exercise a second time, and I asked Richard to let God tell him something that God felt about him. He was quiet, and a tear came to an eye. Enough said. I felt he needed to cherish the moment with God, and the visit ended with a hug.
At the final inpatient visit, he reported that he had tried that exercise a few more times after I left. We did it again together, and I wrote him a spiritual prescription on my business card: “3 x daily for 1 minute of silence to listen to God.” Since he was going home the next day, I said, “Richard, in this form of prayer, you give God a chance to tell you something, instead of always asking or telling God what you want or need.”
I followed up at his home a couple of weeks later, and met his wife, who was fixing roast. The house was full of a great aroma. Richard talked about her cooking, but then spoke with excitement about how the spiritual prescription had helped him be less anxious and more peaceful. For the first time ever, we had a conversation and not a monologue.
After that, I had a few more visits where I learned more about his life, and I sensed he was more peaceful. In a bereavement call to his wife after he died, she talked about how calm he was when he took his last breath. Later, I reached out to her in her grief journey. Both Richard and his wife remain in my heart and have reminded me how God uses us chaplains in a multitude of ways.
In each NACC Now, during this 50th jubilee year, we are featuring a reflection by one of our NACC chaplains on his or her ministry and an experience of a gift of that ministry. Please allow Davlyn’s reflection to inspire you in writing this year one of your “gifts” of ministry. Your own reflection is welcomed! If you want to share a reflection, please contact David Lewellen (dlewellen@nacc.org).
50th ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE
Ordering audio recordings of 2015 National Conference materials
If you are interested in audio recordings of any of the 2015 National Conference offerings, you can place an order at www.dcprovidersonline.com/nacc/.
2016 NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Mark your calendar for April 22-25, 2016, for the NACC 2016 National Conference!
Please mark your calendars for our 2016 NACC National Conference to be held Friday, April 22nd, to Monday, April 25th, 2016, at the Chicago Marriott (www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chiap-chicago-marriott-ohare/) near Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
2016 NACC Conference Planning Task Force members begin to meet*
The 2016 NACC Conference Planning Task Force will begin to meet this week. The members include: Chair, Dr. Rodger Accardi, D.Min., BCC; Plenary Speaker Chair, Dr. Elizabeth Lenegan, Ph.D., BCC; Workshop Chair, Ms. Kay Gorka, BCC; Liturgy Chair, Rev. Richard Bartoszek, M.A., BCC; Local Arrangements Co-Chair, Mr. Jim Manzardo, BCC; Local Arrangements Co-Chair, Ms. Kathleen M. Ponce BCC; and Board Liaison, Mrs. Jane Mather, M.A., BCC. The Task Force, along with NACC Executive Director, David Lichter, D.Min. and NACC staff, Jeanine Annunziato and Andris Kursietis, are excited to begin the planning process. Stay tuned in the coming weeks to learn the conference theme and to be invited to submit workshop proposals.
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
Last fall we had conference calls on sharing examples of outpatient spiritual care models. However, members continue to seek examples/models for providing spiritual care in outpatient settings. We want to create a networking opportunity/learning group among those attempting pilot projects and/or models for providing such service in our respective outpatient settings. Those interested in such networking to learn from and test with one another your efforts, please email David Lichter (dlichter@nacc.org) by Wednesday, June 3rd. We want to set a call yet in mid-June. Thank you!
Seeking examples of spiritual screening tools utilized by nurses*
A couple of our members are seeking examples of screening tools being utilized by the nurses to assist in diagnosing referrals for professional spiritual care. If you are able to share what your nurses use, and if you help educate on its use, we would appreciate hearing from you. We will make sure there is a mutual sharing of such resources. Please contact David Lichter (dlichter@nacc.org) regarding what you use. Thank you in advance!
Was your career in nursing before becoming a chaplain? Can we talk?*
We would like to invite our NACC members who had been (or still are also) a nurse before becoming chaplains to participate in a conference call. We hope this call would provide a unique opportunity for you to network with one another, and also to help NACC understand how better to communicate about chaplaincy and the spiritual care profession to nursing colleagues. Would you consider being part of this initiative? If so, please contact David Lichter (dlichter@nacc.org). Thank you in advance!
Spiritual Care Volunteer Collaborative: Several chaplains working in healthcare settings that work with spiritual care volunteers met during the May 2014 NACC Conference in St. Louis, MO. A Spiritual Care Volunteer Collaborative was formed at that time to network with colleagues who utilize spiritual care volunteers in their departments. Since then, we have stayed in contact with each other through monthly conference calls. We had the opportunity to meet again face-to-face during NACC’s 50th anniversary in Arlington, VA, in March. We have developed a mission statement and subscribe to common ethical and philosophical commitments. If you utilize spiritual care volunteers in your department, please consider joining us. For more information, contact Bob Shenk, BCC, Bon Secours Richmond Health System, robert_shenk@bshsi.org, (203) 216-5723.
Request: Are you part of Schwartz Center Rounds in your hospital setting?
From Ed Horvat: “During the NACC annual conference in Arlington, VA, in March, I became aware of Schwartz Center Rounds (www.theschwartzcenter.org/supporting-caregivers/schwartz-center-rounds/) during one of the workshops I attended. I visited their website and shared what I learned with my supervisor. She gave me the okay to explore the possibility further to see if it is something that would fit into our hospital culture. Do any of you minister in a setting that utilizes Schwartz Center Rounds? I would be interested in learning more about your professional and institutional experience with this resource.” Ed Horvat, BCC, (304) 598-1952, horvate@monhealthsys.org.
The NACC webinars for 2015 are in full swing. They address often-requested topics by our members. All are scheduled, as in past years, on Thursdays, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Central Time. For these webinars we offer the option of registering (and paying by credit card) online: ONLINE REGISTRATION. The registration form may be accessed by clicking on this link: REGISTRATION FORM. Mark your calendars now, and stay tuned for the special invitation to register online coming later this week!
June 11 & 18
Weighing Spiritual Care and Other Priorities: A Dialogue with a Chief Executive
Presented by Ann E. Hurst BCC, Kay I. Gorka, BCC, and Alexander Jackson
July 9 & 16
Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services: Implications for Spiritual Care Decision-Making
Presented by Rev. Thomas A. Nairn, OFM, Ph.D.
August 13
Renewal of Certification with the NACC
August 20
Certification with the NACC
September 10 & 17
Pastoral Care of the Sick and Dying: Theology and Practice of the Rites
Presented by Bruce T. Morrill, SJ
October 15 & 22
The Journey of Mental Illness for Chaplains, Family Members, & Caretakers.
Presented by Kathleen Hagerty, CSJ, BCC
November 5 & 12
Practical Theology and Implications for Professional Ministry.
Presented by Kathleen A. Cahalan, MA, Ph.D
December 17
90 minutes
“Honoring the Gift: NACC and Chaplaincy Going Forward”
Presented by David A. Lichter, D.Min and Mary Lou O’Gorman, BCC
Several local gathering are being scheduled for 2015. We ask you to “hold the date” with details to follow. If you would like to consider hosting and helping plan an NACC local event to mark our 50th Anniversary, Please contact Andris Kursietis (akursietis@nacc.org).
- June 6, 2015, Braintree, MA see details
- June 18, 2015, Spokane, WA see details
- June 19, 2015, Portland, OR, see details
- June 20, 2015, Seattle, WA, see details
- September 14, 2015, St. Louis, MO, details to follow
- September 17-18, 2015, Alexandria, MN, see details
- November 6, 2015, Buffalo, NY
- November 17, 2015, Washington, DC area
Trinity Health 2015-2016 Webinars
As in past years, the NACC has collaborated with Trinity Health (formerly CHE-Trinity) to plan their Trinity Health Webinars. For the 2015-2016 Webinars schedule go to: www.che.org/mission/index.php?id=49. To register for the webinars go to:
www.che.org/mission/index.php?id=46
The Association of Professional Chaplains continues to offer its high quality webinars. To view its offerings and to register, go to: www.professionalchaplains.org/calendar_list.asp.
Healing Tree: a request for prayers*
Please let us know if you would like our membership to pray for your health and healing. Also please let us know when you want us to remove your name from our Healing Tree.
We continue to pray for: Rev. Gerald U. Onuoha, David Markiewicz (grandson of NACC member Roberta Markiewicz), Sister Stephanie Morales, FMI, Marybeth Harmon, Renato Fallico, Kathy Ponce, Konstanty Pawicz (husband of former staff member Mary Pawicz), Pam Kimmel, Susan Balling, Maria Meneses, Chaplain Julia Mary Sweeney (mourning the death of her sister, Margaret Maureen Lewis, BA Honors), Sr. Sheila Prendeville, CPPS, AnaLisa Bischoff, Sr. M. Dianna Hell,
Sister Maria Theresa Hronec, Betty and Louis Skonieczny, Mary Theresa (niece of NACC Chaplain Sister Dorothy Kline), Jim Castello, Kelly Bigler (mourning the death of her father, Vernon),
Jeff Michel (brother-in-law of David Lichter), Thomas from Chicago (12 years old), Thomas Smiley (brother of member Diane Smiley),
Marga Halala, Donn Renfro (son-in-law of Karen Pugliese),
Amy in Atlanta (friend of NACC member Theresa Sullivan),
Thomas (grandson of NACC member Ginny Grimes Allen), Beth from Boston (friend of NACC member Dana Sandlin),
Sr. Janet Bielmann, Kelly Folan (daughter of NACC member Marty Folan),
Mary Potts (twin sister of Deacon Francis Potts), Elizabeth A. Walsh,
Francesco Marshall, Glenn and Pat Teske,
Susan Murphy, Fr. Jim Radde, SJ, Sr. Mary Clare Boland, SP,
Sr. Phyllis Ann DiRenzo, Kathy Brier (daughter of NACC member Theresa Brier),
Gloria Troxler, Fr. Kevin Ikpah, Lourdes B. Ruta (wife of Peter Ruta), and
Kelly Elizabeth Sexton (daughter of NACC member Melyssa Sexton).
The following positions have been posted recently on our Positions Available page. Please go to www.nacc.org/resources/positions/ for more information.
MANAGER, SPIRITUAL CARE
Denver, Colorado – Centura Health
MANAGER, PASTORAL CARE
Chicago, Illinois – The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System
MISSION LEADERSHIP DIRECTOR
Torrance, California – Providence Medical Institute
STAFF CHAPLAIN, FULL-TIME
Chicago, Illinois – Presence Saint Joseph Hospital
EGIONAL DIRECTOR of SPIRITUAL SERVICES
Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
MANAGER, PASTORAL EDUCATION
Atlanta, Georgia – Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital
FULL-TIME CHAPLAIN (Days)
Athens, Georgia – St. Mary’s Health Care System
MANAGER, SPIRITUAL CARE POSITION
Philadelphia, PA – Nazareth Hospital
DIRECTOR of PASTORAL CARE
Chicago, IL – Mercy Circle
REGIONAL DIRECTOR of PASTORAL CARE
South Texas area – CHRISTUS Spohn Health System
MANAGER – SPIRITUAL CARE
Everett, WA – Providence Regional Medical Center
CHAPLAIN
Everett, WA – Providence Regional Medical Center
CHAPLAIN
Monroe, MI – Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
CHAPLAIN
Jacksonville, FL – SVM-St Vincent’s Riverside
