Stain Glass Lens of the 21st Century

Category: Chaplaincy

  • A Quiet Strength 

    A Quiet Strength 

    When visitors couldn’t visit; the Chaplains did.  When the nurses, Doctors and all other clinical staff were run off their feet; so were the chaplains. When working meant donning goggles, N-95 masks, face shields, gloves, and gowns the Chaplains dutifully did so.  When the paid hours were completed but need for visiting continued; the Chaplains remained.   

    It isn’t the hours of training, most having completed 1800 clinical hours and years of post-graduate studies, which set Chaplains apart.  It is their quiet yet humble presence that speaks the loudest.  They are the ones who pull up a chair and sit by the beds of the dying, ill, or scared, gently crafting meaning, peace and companionship. They are the ones who step in when all others have left. 

    To listen deeply to the needs of others; listening not only for what is spoken but for that which is left unspoken takes time, patience and a trained ear.  To understand the importance of stillness, quietude and presence is to know that healing happens in various and unseen ways.   

    There is a gross miscalculation of the necessity for Chaplains by many in positions of authority in healthcare settings today.  We know this to be true with the elimination of most Chaplain Positions across Grey-Bruce.  These cuts happened without any conversation, consultation or public awareness.  Some healthcare settings eliminated Chaplains entirely while others have kept Chaplains with just enough hours to fringe on tokenism; fulfilling minimum Accreditation requirements.

    If you have ever been blessed by the presence and care of a Chaplain in a local healthcare setting, then offer a prayer of gratitude for what they offered.  It has been a difficult time for local Chaplains and all prayers would be appreciated.

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel (BA, MDiv & Spiritual Care Provider/Chaplain)

    Photo by Jon Tyson/Unsplash

  • Writing Our Stories

    Writing Our Stories

    It was 17 years ago that I accepted a new position titled “End of Life Chaplain”.    My pay came from a large corporation whose focus was the care of the elderly in over 400 long term care and assisted living facilities across the country.  I was hired to help 4 of those facilities.

    Two coronaviruses later (SARs and COVID) and 17 years of experience have resulted in many changes; both to myself and the setting in which I serve.   My title now is “Spiritual Care Provider” and I work for a local Health Care Service in a hospice setting.   

    Despite the clinical changes over the years human nature has remained much the same.  As I accompany those and their close friends and family toward death, I have learned the power of story.  To listen to the stories of other people’s lives; witnessing their struggles, sacrifices, regrets, achievements, and joy is a profound privilege.

    Rarely do I hear stories of things accumulated.  Those summarizing their lives tend not to list what furniture they had or how many homes they owned.  Not once has anyone told me what kind of car they drove or how much Gucci they had in their closets. Instead, I have stood witness to childhood memories, stories of perseverance over trials, and setbacks recovered. There are always stories of love; the kind of love that leaves its impression on one’s life, the love of parents, siblings, spouses, children, pets, and dear friends.  These are the stories that matter at the end of it all.

    These are stories of how each has filled their space in the world; how their lives came to have meaning and this meaning is significant.   

    Concentration camp survivor, Viktor E. Frankl wrote in his book, Man’s Search For Meaning, “Everyone has their own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein they cannot be replaced, nor can life be repeated. Thus, everyone’s task is unique as is their specific opportunity to implement it.”

    It is never too late to rewrite the story of our lives asking, “how am I filling my space in the world?”  

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    Photo by Angela Roma/Pexels

  • Hiking For Hospice

    Hiking For Hospice

    It was late one cool September Saturday when my mother arrived to Hospice. She had one of those illnesses that crept through her body almost undetected until it was too late.  Once discovered there was a swiftness to her decline.  We had done all we could for her at home; rented the hospital bed, gathered in all the necessary equipment, shopped for the foods she could eat and where we could do no more there were these angelic nurses who arrived to do the rest of her care. She was a polite patient but not necessarily co-operative. By nature my mother was a very private and defiantly independent woman which, in the past, had bode well for her.   

    I recall my father, two brothers and I sat in silence while the Hospice staff settled her in. This was a silence of relief as we each began to relax from the weeks of emotional heavy lifting.  No longer were we the ones having to remind her to take her meds, rest, or use her walker.  Now, we could start to face our own grief and to be a gentler presence; a profound gift indeed.

    It wasn’t the first time I had been to the hospice. As a minister I had sat by the beds visiting both parishioners and their loved ones.  I had firsthand experience of the kindness and dedication of the hospice staff.

    So impressed have I been with the gentle but strong presence of this hospice that I am now counted among their staff.  It is with humble gratitude that I walk the halls as a Spiritual Care Provider, aka, a Chaplain.  I witness the dedication of all the staff from the remarkable clinical staff, compassionate kitchen staff,  friendly cleaning/enviromental services staff,  well trained and warm hearted volunteers to the busy Management Team.  It takes an army to run a hospice and lots of Chapman ice cream!

    It also takes a community to run a hospice.  That is why I will be at Harrison Park on Saturday May 27th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the wrap up hike and BBQ as we rally around Grey-Bruce Hospice Inc, known to us all as Chapman House. This will be the first in-person Hike for Hospice in two years.  A day of fundraising and gathering, it isn’t too late if you too would like to join us. Please go to https://www.greybrucehospice.com/ for details.

    Hike-Bike-Ride-Paddle-Skip-Play all in the name of Hospice! I hope to see you there,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    Photo by Photo nic chiro/Unsplash

  • 60 km Bike Ride, Because I Care

    60 km Bike Ride, Because I Care

    Starting February 1st to the 10th, 2022 I will be riding my bike 60 km to signify the distance between my home and the hospital where I work as a Spiritual Care Provider (Chaplain). I know for many a 60 km bike ride is nothing more than a pleasant Saturday afternoon excursion but not in February!  It is a virtual bike ride.  I will be doing the 60 km on my stationary bike charting the progress daily.

    There is an excellent reason for this mid-winter jaunt. I and many others are raising awareness of Spiritual Care Providers in local hospitals as well as raising funds to help support the presence of Spiritual Care Providers in the Grey-Bruce Hospitals. The campaign is titled: “I Care ∴ I Walk (or ride):  A Spiritual Care Challenge to Grey Bruce.”

    In Grey-Bruce Counties there are trained Spiritual Care Providers in every hospital, hospice and at- home palliative care teams.  If you or a member of your family have ever received a visit from one of the Spiritual Care Providers than you know the invaluable care they provide. These trained professionals offer a non-anxious presence in some of the most anxious situations life has to offer.  Some are available On-Call 24/7 and are often called into crisis situations.

    If you would like to support the Spiritual Care presence in the local Grey-Bruce Hospitals please consider sponsoring me (every $20.00 donation or more is receipted) or email the Spiritual Care Office for details: ehazen@gbhs.on.ca.

    Recently, as I was ending a visit, the patient turned to me and said, “I didn’t realize how much I needed your visit until now.  Thank you for coming and could you come back soon?”  This sentiment is repeated often.  Please consider helping us to keep the gentle and attentive presence of Spiritual Care Providers within our local hospitals. 

    Thank-you,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel