Resources for use in Church Services and when Visiting the Sick 

Readings

Luke 10: 25-37 - The Parable of the good Samaritan

Mark 1: 29-32 - Jesus heals many at Simon’s House

Luke 5: 12-16 - Jesus cleanses a leper

Acts of the Apostles - 3:1-10 – Jesus heals a crippled beggar

Top of page

Reflection on Luke 10: 25-37  The Parable of the good Samaritan

 A new immigrant of a foreign race and religion comes across a Pakeha man who has been beaten up and robbed and left for dead. (Not an uncommon scenario in New Zealand cities on any Saturday night or early Sunday morning in 2009). Other people are passing by thinking the man is drunk or on drugs. But this foreigner stops, administers first aid, by cleaning his wounds and trying to stabilize the bleeding. Despite his limited English, he calls 111 on his cell phone, and asks for help. Help comes, in the form of volunteer paramedics with the Ambulance service. They stop the bleeding and transport the man to hospital. 

Depending on our circumstances we can see ourselves in the place of the kind foreigner or we may see ourselves as one of those passing by without stopping, the one taking care of our own safety. But some, especially patients in hospital might identify with the victim, the one that is hurt and in pain.

 Chaplaincy is part of a long tradition – that of faithful people, caring for the sick, the hurt, the frightened, those who have lost hope, and those who feel very alone. Chaplains today focus on people’s spirit and their pastoral care, by doing what religious people, priests, chaplains, and church volunteers have done for centuries – helping make people who are sick and injured aware of God’s love, restoring hope, providing help and the rites of the Church, assisting reconciliations, comforting and commending the dying; supporting and praying with their families, also providing a safe place for hospital staff to lay down some of their burdens. Chaplains bring a sense of the holy, into the very busy, modern highly focused, and highly technical hospital setting.

 In the story of the Good Samaritan we are told that he ensured continued care for the man with the help of the innkeeper for as long as it was needed, or we assume until the injured man was well enough to continue his journey. There is a word about funding here. Note it wasn’t the sick man who had to pay for his care.  It was paid for by the Samaritan who could still go about his business and earn a living. Likewise today the challenge to the Church and community is to meet 50% of the cost of our Chaplains working in our public Hospitals.

 The last words of Jesus to the young lawyer, who asked the question about who was his neighbour, are the words of commissioning for each Chaplain today. The lawyer answered Jesus’ question by saying the neighbour was the person “ who had showed mercy” to which Jesus replied, “Go and do likewise”. That is exactly what Chaplains are doing today.

 Top of page

Opening Prayers

Leader: We come together this day to celebrate and support the work of chaplains in our hospitals throughout the country.

People: In the hope that they may not feel alone, as they minister to those who are sick and in pain.

Leader:  There is an old saying ; ‘It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness’

We light this candle as a reminder of the role of chaplains and their assistants, as they help to bring healing and wholeness, the sign of the light of Christ.

(A candle is lit)

People: May we too, carry this light and share their load.

 Top of page

Prayer points

§         Give thanks for the 37 years of inter-church hospital chaplaincy mission and ministry in public hospitals in New Zealand…

§         Give thanks for the miracle of new life and the peace that comes in death…

§         Give thanks for the New Zealand Government again providing 50% of the funding to maintain the national hospital chaplaincy service at the present level…

§         Give thanks for the 85 Chaplains and their 320 trained Voluntary Chaplaincy Assistants who work each week as they respond to the spiritual, emotional needs of the patients in hospital and support their whanau / family…

§         Give thanks for new staff who have joined the national Chaplaincy Service in the past year and for the legacy those experienced Chaplains and Chaplaincy assistants who will retire this coming year…

§         Pray for the recovery of those in hospital who have suffered illness and accident…

§         Pray for those who are facing life changing outcomes of illness or aging…

§         Pray for ongoing financial support from the Churches and the community to enable the provision of Spiritual care to continue to be available to all those in Hospitals…

§         Pray for wisdom and creativity for the representatives of the churches and hospitals who serve on Local Chaplaincy Committees and on the national Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy as they seek to provide governance and support…

§         Pray for all who work in our hospitals that God’s healing work may be done…

Top of page

Hymns

In the Name of Christ                 (sheet music and words)

1.  In the name of Christ I will walk with you through
your comings and your goings, when the nights
are long and the pain is strong, and your doubts
and fears are growing.

And the word is hope,
and the word is peace,
and the word is faith awoken,
and the word I bring,
and the word I sing
is God's word of love, unbroken.

2.  I will offer you, I will offer all,
the sacrament of presence,
in the busy ward or the lonely place
I will hold you in remembrance.
And the word is….

3.  I will bring to you in the name of Christ
all my skill and my compassion;
I will hear your story, pray for you,
be a friend in timely fashion.
And the word is….

4.  I will speak the truth, though the truth be hard;
we will face the worst together.
We will seek and find, deep in heart and mind,
the assurance of God's for-ever.
And the word is….

Colin Gibson (2006) Words © The Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa New Zealand

 Top of page

Other Hymns

O Christ the Healer

Praise my Soul the King of Heaven

Will you let me be your servant

What a friend we have in Jesus

Now Thank we all our God

Praying with the sick

If patients are able, have them respond to the following questions, then weave their answer together in a prayer.

•   What is the term 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?

P70 Pastoral Prayers for the Hospital Visit by Sara Webb Phillips

 Top of page

Beatitudes for those who care

Healing is a power which brings wholeness to what is broken, union to what is separated, strength to what is weak.  New Testament accounts depict healing as a central ministry of the early Christian Community.  Throughout his life, Jesus visibly used his healing power to bring wholeness, strength, peace, and recovery to people in their illness, wounded relationships, and hurts of body, mind and soul.

Blessed are you who listen to others,

especially those with constant complaints,

for you possess the ears of Christ.

                                          Blessed are you who see the hurts of others,

                                          especially those overlooked by friends and family,

                                          for you possess the eyes of Christ.

Blessed are you who speak kindly to others,

especially those plagued by fear and anger,

for you possess the mouth of Christ.

                                          Blessed are you who touch others gently,

                                          especially those bruised by violence and insensitivity,

                                          for you possess the hands of Christ.

Blessed are you who think prayerfully of others,

especially those alone and discouraged,

for you possess the mind of Christ.

                                          Blessed are you who show love to others,

                                          especially those with chronic illness,

                                          for you possess the heart of Christ.

Blessed are you who persevere in your ministry,

with compassion and love for all people,

for you possess the healing presence of Christ,

and yours is the kingdom of heaven.

                                                                        AMEN

 Top of page

Prayers from a Hospital Bed

Morning

God of the dawn,

I awaken to the day in this strange place.

Where is the sacred silence? 

Where is your holy presence?

Noises fill this space: activity and busyness;

anxiety for the day

    to begin, and for what it will bring;

more tests and investigations;

     waiting for answers.

I struggle to be myself,

amid the constancy of expectation,
   the burden of struggle.

Where is the sacred silence? 

Where is your holy presence?

Loving God, you have been here with me, beside me, all around me.

         And I am lifted beyond this place.

All will be well.

I am at peace.

Evening

God of the evening,

I have reached the day’s end.

Where is the sacred silence? 

Where is your holy presence?

I have journeyed this day through rough terrain   
     poked,

prodded,

sighing,

    coping

At times I have lost my way,

caught up in uncertainty and fear,

   feeling as though I’m drowning.

Where is the sacred silence? 

Where is your holy presence?

Loving God, you have been with me, beside me, all around me.

         And I can rest peacefully.

All will be well.

        I am not alone

©Kath Hobson

 Top of page

A Chaplain reflects

My pager sounded and I rang the duty manager. ("Jo I am wondering if you could come and sit with a patient who is dying as there are no relatives nearby") sure I said will be there in a few minutes.

I arrived in the room, lying in the bed was a very elderly man, breathing very heavily and entering the final stages of his life. A stranger to me, but a fellow human being. This man was someone's, son, husband, father, friend and neighbour. I sat down beside him in the chair, placing his hand in mine I don't know if he even knew I was there. I looked at him and began wondering about him. Where was he born? Did he have brothers and sisters?, what job had he done, what were his dreams, had he achieved them. So many thoughts were in my mind as I sat there. I quietly prayed for him, although I didn't know him, God knew him and God was very present in the room that day.

As I sat there in silence, "just being" my eyes wandered to the window looking out as the world was passing. People going about their work, the autumn leaves floated down past the window, showers of rain danced on the window panes, the wind chased an empty paper bag across the car park. Autumn was well and truly here and winter was fast catching up. My eyes focused back onto this man his time on this earth was coming to an end.

I watched as his breathing changed, his colour changed, he was slipping away, I continued to hold his hands, I wanted him to know he wasn't alone, I was very aware that we come into this world with people around us, and we often leave this world alone. It would be different for this man. He wouldn't be alone.

I held his hand and spoke quietly to him, I don't know if he heard me, but I feel he knew someone was there "just being there for him". He was not alone as he arrived at his final destination.

Peacefully he slipped away, he had gone, I sat for a few minutes and thought about the very special privilege we as Chaplains have, a tear was shed.

I called the nurse, she shed some tears for this special person a person whom she had got to know. I entered the room as a stranger; I left having spent time with my new friend.

My pager went off, "Jo can you please come to" -----------

I left the ward and quietly walked to the next patient, reflecting on the special time I had just been involved in.

A question came into my mind

"I wonder who will be there when my life journey ends"

"I wonder who will be there when your life journeys end"

Top of page

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 needing 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, 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.

Top of page