We’re here for you: recognizing Spiritual Care Week
“Whatever is going on in your life, if it’s important to you, it’s important to a chaplain,” said TVHS Chaplain Woodretta Allen.
Spiritual Care Week is a time to highlight how the service provides care to Veterans, their families and staff. This year, the chaplains are highlighting the many roles utilized to aid the public physically, mentally and spiritually.
“Spiritual Care Week is a weeklong celebration held in hospitals across the country, and this year, we want everyone to remember we are here for everyone. We are here to serve the entire institution,” said TVHS Chief Chaplain Steve Sexton.
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In honor of the observance, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) Chaplain Service has scheduled events at the Nashville VA Medical Center, Alvin C. York VA Medical Center and clinics to create connective opportunities between spiritual caregivers and Veterans, family and staff.
“The Veterans Health Administration determined a long time ago that Veterans need to heal physically, mentally and spiritually, and The Joint Commission recognizes patients need spiritual resources to heal. So, our role is to help Veterans, regardless of their religious background, to martial spiritual resources they need in order to recover,” Sexton.
Listed below are events at each medical center. From Oct. 21-25, events will include the passing of promotional items and the Blessing of the Hearts and Minds. Chaplains will also be venturing across clinics to deliver promotional items and information.
Although the Chaplain Service will be available through events during Spiritual Care Week, chaplains are also available 24/7 to all Veterans and staff to meet patients wherever they are physically and mentally.
"As a Veteran and Chaplain, our heart is to want to be able to come alongside and serve you and journey with you. Even if it is as simple as finding where to be in the hospital,” said TVHS chaplain Keith Travis.
VA chaplains provide many services to Veterans, families and staff, including clinical spiritual care. However, with 16 chaplains at TVHS, the Chaplain Service does not only provide religious guidance.
“Chaplains aren’t here to push our religious beliefs down anyone’s throat…we are here because we recognize that everyone has a body, everyone has a spirit, and everyone has a mind. And because of that…we are genuinely here to listen and to walk with you in your darkest moment,” Allen.
TVHS chaplains collaborate with other services to address the religious, spiritual, moral and ethical problems of patients and employees. Chaplains can aid in spiritual guidance and maintenance of physical and mental health.
Currently, the Chaplain Service is expanding its services through outreach and support groups. During the holiday season, the Chaplain Service will hold different support groups involving grief, loss, gratitude, remembrance, and unresolved relationships. These support groups are available to employees, Veterans and family members and do not require constant participation.
“Don’t hesitate to reach out to the chaplains. Even if you aren’t sure how the chaplain might support you, reach out. The chaplain will often want to bridge the gap to what you’re experiencing…and help you navigate that,” Travis said.
For more information on the support groups or Spiritual Care Week, contact the Chaplain Service.
To learn more about Spiritual Care Week, visit https://www.spiritualcareweek.org/.
Murfreesboro Spiritual Care Week Events:
Monday, Oct. 21, Chaplains will provide information on the service to Veterans and staff.
Tuesday, Oct. 22, the Chaplains will travel to Meharry Clinic and Charlotte Women's Clinic to provide material and perform Blessing of Hearts and Minds.
Wednesday, Oct. 23, Murfreesboro Blessing of Hearts and Minds.
Wednesday evening, Oct. 23, Blessing of Hearts and Minds for CLC, 7A and 7B.
Thursday, Oct. 24, the Chaplains will travel to International Plaza and Gallatin Clinic to provide materials and perform Blessing of Hearts and Minds.
Friday, Oct. 25, other CBOC locations will receive materials.
Nashville Spiritual Care Week Events:
Monday, Oct. 21, Chaplains will provide information on the service to Veterans and staff.
Tuesday, Oct. 22, the Chaplains will travel to International Plaza and Charlotte Women's Clinic to provide material and perform Blessing of Hearts and Minds.
Wednesday, Oct. 23, the Nashville VA labyrinth will be available for meditation in the Multipurpose Room B-104.
Wednesday Evening, Oct. 23, Chaplains will perform Blessing of the Hearts and Minds throughout the hospital for night shift staff.
Thursday, Oct. 24, Chaplains will perform Blessing of the Hearts and Minds throughout the hospital.
Friday, Oct. 25, Chaplains will perform Blessing of the Hearts and Minds throughout the hospital.