Comfort in a time of Crisis...

...which anyone can face, when accidents happen to us, members of our family, our community or city. As we have seen in the past year in New Zealand, that disaster can strike a large city. The Christchurch earthquakes in September 2010, February and June 2011 have caused grief and loss and shaken the security of many people. Hospital chaplains in Christchurch were required to work under a great deal of pressure, spending time with individuals and families at the hospital, while they waited for news of the whereabouts and condition of loved ones. Hugs and hope were needed and the chaplains were  there to offer both.

In recalling the experience, a chaplain said

“It is scary for us too in a large building that is shaking, but it was a privilege to be able to share the love and peace of God.  It sounds strange but I just wanted to be here. To do what I could. It also kept my mind off the damage to my own home.”

In times of crisis, it’s important for every individual to experience support. Entire communities such as ours have experienced great loss in recent months, and it’s in times such as these that a Hospital Chaplain can be there for people in need.

If you’re in a position of need, in your time of loss we’re always there to offer support and understanding. If you have lost a loved one, or need the strength to support a loved one, a Hospital Chaplain is the person you can turn to. Often it is hard to express despair and grief to those around you, when you are trying so hard to be courageous and battle your worries alone, but with the support of a Hospital Chaplain you will never have to face your struggles alone. Regardless of your faith or cultural beliefs, we are there to listen and offer encouragement.

Hospital Chaplains are there for families and individuals in true times of need, and with your support, they can continue to help communities all over New Zealand.

Excerpts from "A Place of Springs"

by Sr Bernadette Rodgers, former Chaplain at New Plymouth and Palmerston North Hospitals - used by permission

"An intensivist had been working for some months at the hospital. He was from Columbia and was brilliant in his field. From the agony of 9/11 and the Twin towers he came to take up his appointment in the newly established ICU with facilities to compliment his skills.

He was confident of his ability to heal. In fact, it was claimed that, while treating patients with the most serious of maladies, he could be heard to hum a little tune in anticipation of another successful outcome.

Towards the end of his first year a dangerously ill 16 year old young woman was admitted to the unit. At first her condition seemed to improve a little, though the drug to aid her recovery had not yet arrived. We were all hopeful.

This did not last and for many days and nights her life was in jeopardy. It seemed that the merest reversal could mean the end. She was lying in an induced coma, knowing nothing of the anxiety and sadness surrounding her. She was also oblivious to the work of the intensivist. The drug had been administered and he was now humming his ditty as he anticipated her with a full recovery.

She lived, and he later claimed her as his first miracle. He witnessed the joy and relief of her parents, both of whom were hospital staff, and knew of the prayers of her friends and teachers. Though still ‘under the doctors’ and subject to the tiredness and lethargy that must be endured by those who have undergone intensive medical treatment, she could now face the rest of her life with hope.

Sometime later I met her as she entered the hospital to call on her mother. A woman now, she glowed with a radiance of one who had encountered the possibility of death and emerged triumphant.

The intensivist, who had used his expertise so many times in our  hospital, resigned about two years later and returned to a more international milieu."

Suggested Address:

Genesis 28:10-22

"Surely the Lord is in this Place, We Stand on Holy Ground"

A Chaplain’s reflection on Ministry in a Hospital

It’s good every now and again to pause and reflect on the words of the liturgy we use, the prayers and the hymns.

As we move from the Ministry of the Word (confession, bible reading, address and prayers) to the Sacrament  itself, the Great Thanksgiving, the greeting is: “The Lord is here” and the reply: “God’s Spirit is with us."  Think of it.

There’s a story with the words, “Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.”  And another, “We’re standing on holy ground”.

Jacob was one of the ‘Patriarchs’ of the Old Testament, those early leaders, men of God – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jacob was the father of 12 sons who were to become the founders of the 12 Tribes of Israel.  At one stage Jacob is asleep, and hears God saying “Here I am”. He wakes up and says, “Surely God is in this place and I didn’t know it”. There are places in this world where it is easy to feel the presence of God, and where prayer comes easily. And there are times and occasions when it is easy to see God at work in the lives of others; and as we look back to see God at work in our own lives. Jacob experienced that in a powerful way.

We can discover God in the presence of other people, in nature, in so many different places and so many ways throughout our lives. A question we might ask: Where have we seen God recently? Sometimes, like Jacob, we first need to open our eyes and we will discover that God is in this place (or in THIS PLACE – our hearts), and we did not even know it.

“Surely the Lord is in this place, we stand on holy ground.”

This hospital is a place for sick people; this is a place for God’s healing; this is a place where people find God, and are strengthened by God, for dealing with the illness and issues they face.

Our Hospital Chapel which is 30 years old this year is dedicated to St Luke the Physician, the doctor evangelist, physician of the soul, gospel writer. It provides:

• a place of gathering for worship, prayer
• a place to find God’s peace and stillness
• a symbol of God’s presence in the midst of this busy hospital
 

It is a place where worship of God takes place week by week (Sunday), a place of prayer – (prayer group) for staff, patients and relatives. It is a place where the community can come; people from local churches, local singing groups, a children’s drama group come here to share in worship with those who are sick.

The hospital is a place where there is a Chaplain and a Chaplaincy Team. We have a long history of local churches providing chaplaincy; assistant chaplains coming out from Wellington. Since 1954 we have had our own resident chaplain who is specifically ordained and appointed to work here.

One of my jobs is carrying out blessings and prayers:

• Blessing of rooms (especially after death); and objects (especially gifts, e.g. greenstone, crosses etc)
• Blessings of books – to go out and assist in the community – e.g. recently a Directory of Cancer support services in the Greater Wellington region.
• Blessing old facilities; renovated wards/units; new units, wards, facilities.
• Prayer as we turned the first sod for two new children’s dental facilities.
• Prayer as we poured the final cement and had the ‘topping off’ ceremony for the new theatre/ED complex last week.
• Prayer as we open/bless the new Maternity Assessment Unit to open soon.

This is a place where God is present and worshipped; it is a place where people pray and seek the peace and comfort Jesus came to bring, it is a place where people pray for healing and wholeness.

As we think of our own lives, recall the words from one of our liturgies:

            Life is a journey on many different roads

                        but God is always with us.

            Some parts of our journey are hard

                        through pathways of pain

                        and fears in dark places

                        but God is always with us.

            Nothing can separate us

                        from the Love of God in Christ Jesus.

The Lord is here

            God’s spirit is with us.

Courtesy of Hutt Hospital Chaplain.

Praying in Hospital

If patients are able, have them respond to the following questions and then weave their answer into a prayer:

What is the word you use most often for God?

What do you need to ask God for the most?

Who are you most concerned about during your illness?

What would you like to ask for on their behalf?

What are you most grateful for during this time.

Example of a pastoral prayer based on patients responses: 

Father, You know that Ann needs sleep and relief from pain at this time.
We thank you she is responding to the treatment and will soon be home again.
We remember her children and ask that they will not worry too much or overwhelm her when she returns home.
We acknowledge your healing presence, made real for Ann through her experience in hospital
and knowing the support she has received through the prayers said for her by her church family.
We pray this in Jesus name.   Amen

Lord, you have called us to serve you:

Lord Jesus, move among us

with your love and care

Through doctors, nurses

and all who serve in this hospital,

reach us and help us according to our needs

May we be thankful for all that is good,

       strengthened in times of weakness,

and made courageous in the face of limitations .

Make us mindful of the needs

of the staff and our fellow patients,

And let your kind of loving

be the guide for all we do and say

Guidelines to Help “Church Visitors” to patients in Public Hospitals

J     Understand Your Ground:  In today's climate, the access which religious organisations are granted to patients and patient information is covered by the terms of the Privacy Act and DHB protocols. While hospital management and clinical staff are aware that spiritual support is an important component in the recovery process for their patients, Church visitors need to be careful about crossing boundaries and breaking the trust that you are given. Please understand that you are welcome to come and visit your church members – but it is not as of right, but as guests of the hospital management and the patient.

J     Don't Feel Inadequate:  Being in hospital is not always bad news but it can often be a very unsettling and isolating experience for people, despite the best efforts of staff to make them feel comfortable. Your presence, in itself - as someone from the fellowship of their own church - can be very reassuring for them. The words you say may not be as important as is your simple willingness to be there with them. Just be yourself.        

J     Smile When Greeting The Patient:  A smile can be like a window opened to release a warm ray of hope into what might, for the patient, be an apprehensive period. It also shows that you come in friendship.

J     Respect Their Personal Space:  It is essential that you respect the patient’s personal space (it's all they have) - you are their guests and can only visit with their consent. Even if you know the person, introduce yourself (so that they know the capacity in which you are presenting yourself to them), and await their response, eg. "Hello, Mrs Jones, I'm Ron Visitovski. I have come as the Hospital Visitor from St Jude’s Anglican Parish. Is it all right if I sit down, or are you expecting someone?"  Such a question gives the patient the opportunity to consent to your visit or to decline the visit without feeling intimidated or guilty about it.

J     Be Prepared To Do Some Talking:  But only in the initial stages, to enable the patient to "read" something of your character and thus decide whether they feel safe to share their "story" with you. Don't dig for medical details (the patient may not know at that point what is wrong); don’t make suggestions about what it may be - these are the tasks of the health professionals. It is not necessary, or your task, to know all the facts. 

J     Better To Be A Good Listener:  Your task is more to listen to what the patient wants to tell you about what they feel is happening to them and to offer your support by being there, alongside them. By all means enter into free conversation, even share something of yourself, but listen for what interests or concerns the patient and encourage her/him. Remember that what the patient chooses to share is confidential.

J     Read The Signs - Body Language:  For example, little or no verbal response and continual avoidance of eye contact could indicate a patient's reluctance for the encounter to proceed (although this may not be so for some cultures, eg. Polynesian). Be sensitive to what the patient may be saying in non-verbal language.

J     Be Careful About Touching:  In many cultures touching another person's body (particularly the head), is considered a violation of the sacredness of their person. In most cases touching is inappropriate behaviour and can be misconstrued, putting both the patient and the visitor at risk - "When in doubt, do without".

J     Don't Be An "Over-stayer":  10-15 minutes is a good average time for the length of a visit, as patients are easily exhausted and lengthy engagements can be detrimental to their health and recovery (again, be sensitive to body-language). Even if the visit is going well, give the patient an opportunity to conclude the engagement if they wish. If it has extended to, say, 20 minutes, tell the patient that you need to move on.

J     About Prayer: It's not always appropriate to offer personal prayer, especially in a public setting. Ensure the patient has the opportunity to decline without feeling s/he is rejecting spiritual help. You could say, "Before I go, would you like me to pray for you, or perhaps, at another time?". Prayer should be intercessory rather than directive. It should include the concerns raised by the patient. But keep prayer brief and to the point!

J     Don't Make Promises You Can't Keep:  Especially at the end of the visit. Because there is a fast turn-over rate of patients in today's healthcare environment (average 3 days), it is unlikely that you will be able to make a follow-up visit before the patient is discharged. It is unfair to raise the patient's expectations of your continuing to visit in the hospital. Having made your visit you will need to be prepared to let it go at that.

J     Don't Be Afraid To Make Referrals:  (NB: This will require the patient's consent.) Referrals to a Hospital Chaplain or another member of staff, if you find that the patient is somewhat distressed and may need ongoing support - or there is a specific need that you are unable to supply.  You can leave a message for a Chaplain at the chaplaincy office, or ask a nurse to page the Chaplain.

J     Don’t Give Patients: Food, drink, medication, communion wine etc or assistance to move in or out of bed without checking with nursing staff that it is okay. Always get nursing staff to assist with patient movements.  

J     Feel Good About Your Visit:  While it is healthy for you to try to analyse your feelings, your motives and your performance levels, there's no such thing as "the perfect visit".  However it goes, it is good you were there if your genuine concern was simply to be there for someone.  Remember, Christ said, "Inasmuch as you did it for the least of these my brethren, you did it for me". There can be no "failure" with such a motive.

INDEMNITY DISCLAIMER:  While the District Health Board, and its Chaplaincy Service are glad to facilitate churches' and religious groups' desire to give support to their Church members who come into hospital, it is to be understood that responsibility for the conduct of their visitor rests with the church or religious group which authorises them to act on their behalf. Neither the DHB, nor the Hospital Chaplaincy Service, nor the Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy in Aotearoa New Zealand, shall be liable for any losses, damages or other claims resulting from the acts and/or omissions of any visitor of any church or religious group.  Churches or religious groups are therefore advised to arrange appropriate indemnity insurance cover for the visitors they  authorise in order to safeguard their own interests and the interests of those acting as their servants or agents.

 

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