My title is “Staff Chaplain” at the health system.  This title was probably created to differentiate me from the “Director of Pastoral Care”; our department is small consisting of 1 director and 1 Staff Chaplain.  The majority of my time is devoted to care for patients and visitors.  In the past several days I have had pastoral care encounters with other employees of the health system.  I enjoyed these encounters to much I almost wish my title “Staff Chaplain” was an indication that the majority of my time was devoted to providing pastoral care to our employees.

Our employees work diligently, many of them giving 110% of their energy to their task.  While they take their work seriously they still have a life outside the boundaries of the health system.  In these relationships sometimes they need the opportunity to share what is happening in a safe environment with a person they know won’t share their struggle throughout the whole health system.  I am honored that I am trusted by the employees enough that they see me as that safe person.  Recently one employee told me she was impressed that, “I always know what to say.”  I am very glad she feels that way toward me, but trust me there are many times I am at a loss for words.  So today I salute our employees and pray for their lives when they are not providing care for our patients.