Chaplaincy

Sources They said: “Write the longest sentence you know.” I wrote: “A life without you.” ~Cameron Lincoln Paediatric Chaplaincy, Principles, Practices and Skills https://www.amazon.com/Paediatric-Chaplaincy-Principles-Practices-Skills-ebook/dp/B0797LPLTV Professional Spiritual & Pastoral Care, Rabbi Stephen B. Roberts https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Spiritual-Pastoral-Care-Practical/dp/1683362446 Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates – Gary Kurz https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Noses-At-Pearly-Gates/dp/0806528877 Online Memorial Ceremonies, PetCloud www.petcloud.pet/online-memorial-ceremonies Rainbow Bridge https://www.rainbowsbridge.com/ Pope Francis and …

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Semester Wrap Up Parting is all we know of heaven and all we need of hell. ~Emily Dickinson One of the first lessons I learned this year was the difference between pastoral care and counseling. The second is that one size does not fit all. As such, I always start each new encounter with a …

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Rituals & Storytelling We have to believe that even the briefest of human connections can heal. Otherwise, life is unbearable. ~ Agate Nesaule One of the most profound and historical ways we’ve dealt with loss as a society is through our rituals of parting. Whatever those might be; they vary by culture and belief. Unfortunately, …

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Human-Animal Bond Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. ~Anatole France The serenity prayer is a tool that I’ve used that seems to resonate with religious and non-religious folk alike. In it’s basic sense, the prayer is telling us that there are things in this world that are outside …

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Theodicy & Suffering Even if there were pains in Heaven, all who understand would desire them. ~ C.S. Lewis When reading about theodicy (and after looking up what it meant) I found that I get asked a surprising number of these questions. How can we still believe and have faith in the presence of evil …

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Crisis Of Faith Lo, I am with you always. Matthew 28:20 I experience a lot of people going through crisis of faith, especially during the first week after a loss. When we start talking about spiritual matters, many of my clients are noticeably upset. They are often feeling anger, intense guilt, fear, and they’re desperate …

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Human-Animal Bond Whichever way your friend eventually leaves you — you will feel as alone as a single star in the dark night sky. Just like in my past posts, the easiest way I can embody a situation regarding paediatric chaplaincy is to once again relate it to our pets. The loss of a beloved …

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Presence I will never leave you. Hebrews 13:5 The power of presence is by far the most repeated theme in this course (and others). Practically every chapter and article mentions the power that a person’s simple presence can have in times of crisis. Presence is something that I talk quite a lot about now that …

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Spiritual Assessments If the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer, every problem will look like a nail. ~Asian Proverb Prior to this year, I hadn’t done a single spiritual assessment. Previously, I had only been doing what I know now to be just a basic spiritual screening. In fact, other than basic topics …

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Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) The difference between what someone can do on their own and what they would be able to do with support or collaboration. Infancy Feeling loved and cared for are critical for their future physical, mental and spiritual development. Chaplains should encourage medically appropriate touch between infants and parents (Necessary for …

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