October 19th, 2019 by WCBC Radio
Once again this year, Western Maryland Health System will celebrate Pastoral Care Week from October 21-25. This year marks the 34th year for the event. This year’s theme, “Hospitality: Cultivating Space”, offers a rich opportunity to develop relationships and extend hospitality to those who extend spiritual care, to those who collaborate with spiritual care providers and to those who are the recipients of the spiritual care.
The observance also celebrates the education for and practice of spiritual care through professional chaplaincy and pastoral counseling, interpreting and promoting pastoral care and honoring and celebrating all practitioners of pastoral care. This week is also a time to express appreciation to institutions and their staff who support pastoral care ministries.
“Pastoral care has been an important part of our society and well-being since humanity sought meaning and connection in its life together, “said Rev. Bruce McBride, Director of Pastoral Care. “Religions and communities have valued its supportive influence. We honor our chaplains and prayer partners who serve here at WMHS and minister to patients and staff on our campus everyday and we strive to show compassion with the love of God to hurting families. Our chaplains are available 24/7 to minister to any family in need.”
Clergy, eucharistic ministers and other religious professionals from throughout the tri-state area are always welcome to provide spiritual support to members of their faith who are receiving care at WMHS.
Pastoral care services also are available for persons receiving home care or hospice services. The support a chaplain provides during these home visits can be very beneficial for patients and their families who are dealing with a serious illness or end-of-life issues.
In addition to Pastor McBride, the other faithful servants on the WMHS campus include Seth Wharton, Hospice chaplain, the Chaplain team of Velma Lewis, Carolyn Wilson, Sam Seletyn, Rusty Kitzmiller, Gary Barkley, Paul Demers and Mark Perman, and prayer partners Angelo Bucchino, Sheila Hager, Terry McKenzie, Ron Peterson and Ken and O’Nile McKinney. The WMHS Pastoral Care team will be visiting every patient during the week of Oct. 21-25.
October 15th, 2018 by WCBC Radio
Once again this year, Western Maryland Health System (WMHS) will celebrate Pastoral Care Week from October 21-27. This year marks the 33rd year for the event.
This year’s theme, “Hospitality: Cultivating Time”, offers a rich opportunity to develop relationships and extend hospitality to those who extend spiritual care, to those who collaborate with spiritual care providers and to those who are the recipients of the spiritual care.
Cultivating and nurturing time is challenging in an age of instantaneous communication, and it takes time for mutual trust to develop. This year, the WMHS Pastoral Care team hopes that time will be more appreciated and dedicated to the spiritual care of patients and staff.
“Caring for the spiritual needs of patients and staff at WMHS is our priority and mission,” said Rev. Bruce McBride, Director of Pastoral Care. “We strive to show compassion with the love of God to hurting families. Our chaplains are available 24/7 to minister to any family in need.”
In addition to McBride, the WMHS Pastoral Care team includes full-time staff chaplain Charles Shelquist, chaplain associates and volunteer prayer partners. Clergy, eucharistic ministers and other religious professionals from throughout the tri-state area are always welcome to provide spiritual support to members of their faith who are receiving care at WMHS.
Pastoral care services also are available for persons receiving home care or hospice services. The support a chaplain provides during these home visits can be very beneficial for patients and their families who are dealing with a serious illness or end-of-life issues.
During the week, the team will host a special dedication service in the chapel for all the WMHS chaplains and prayer partners who serve at the Health System. The Pastoral Care team will also strive to visit every patient in WMHS this special week.
Rev. Charles Shelquist, Staff Chaplain, added, “I encounter former patients out in the community and they recognize me and come up to me and speak about how pastoral care provided to them was appreciated. One my former patient’s even introduces me as her chaplain to store clerks or anyone else who is in the vicinity when we meet. Their reactions confirm, in my mind, how vital pastoral care is in the healthcare setting.”
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