Since 1985

Spiritual Care Week/Pastoral Care Week is hosted byThe COMISS Network: The Network on Ministry in Specialized Settings. The first Pastoral Care Week was held in October 1985. Since then it has grown beyond national to international proportions. The celebration of Spiritual Care Week provides an opportunity for chaplains and pastoral care counselors, educators and providers to share their story and to celebrate various ministries. More specifically, the established objectives of the Spiritual Care Week Committee outline the scope of SpiritualCare Week observance:

To celebrate the education for and practice of spiritual care through professional chaplaincy and pastoral counseling.

To interpret and promote pastoral care.

To honor and celebrate all practitioners of pastoral care.

To express appreciation to institutions and their staff who support pastoral care ministries.

To publicize the work of pastoral care organizations affiliated with COMISS.

To promote continuing education for clergy, laity, and institutional employees regarding the value of pastoral care.

Each year a new theme brings to the light a certain aspect of spiritualcare as afocus. A new theme invites us to new and creative ways to tell the story of spiritualcare.

Celebrate This Week

Spiritual Care Week gives opportunities for organizations and institutions of all kinds and types to recognize the spiritual caregivers in their midst and the ministry which the caregivers provide.

This Year's Theme

Relevant and Responsive in Times of Crises

Spiritual Care Week: October 23-29, 2022

Theme Interpretation

The role of Spiritual Caregivers was exemplified during the COVID 19 pandemic! A spiritual caregiver’s role is rooted in the sacred space of the selfless acts of listening and quiet presence that promotes open and safe conversations to manifest into moments of hope and resilience. The role and responsiveness of professional spiritual caregivers was an affirmation of the interdisciplinary role they have within their organization and industry of service.

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The fact that spiritual caregivers have always engaged in crisis, either singular or collective experiences, accentuates the value they bring to an organization. As the pandemic demonstrated its real threat to lives both locally and abroad, the idea behind who were considered essential workers became strategic discussions in all organizations. During the pandemic, planning to harness all available resources and essential employees based on expertise and roles was critical for the sustainability of the organization. Chaplains and spiritual caregivers rose to the occasion and utilized their expertise, in ethics consultations, modes of delivery in telehealth, caregiving to frontline staff, and modalities of coping with stress. They offered traditional, unique, and inventive models of practice that were new to the landscape of their professions. They forged areas of new challenges offering safe and sustainable care and practice. An outcome of notable relevancy of profession and responsiveness to the crisis not overlooked nor unseen.

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Additionally, the emotional and physical drain on the psyche of employees, and the manifestations of this reality became spiritual, ethical, and emotional dilemmas and crises. Chaplains and other spiritual caregivers were in this public light and became a beacon for hope to many organizations struggling for their employees to feel a sense of normalcy and safety. They became relevant and responsive to a greater degree in retrospect to the pandemic than they were accustomed in their pre-pandemic roles. This new threat raged as a war on the human spirit, and Chaplains and spiritual caregivers all over the world were available to give spiritual support in creative and reimagined platforms. Many of them discussing and collaborating across state and country lines, forging plans for how to give hope and relatable resources in forms of spiritual care. When there were furloughs and lay-offs, spiritual caregivers all across the continuum offered valuable perspectives to their organizations. Spiritual caregivers are responsive and relevant every day, everywhere, and in every situation!

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This Year's Logo

The Spiritual/Pastoral Care Week Committee

For more information or to send feedback or comments please e-mail the

Pastoral Care Week Committee c/o

Chaplain Clyde Angel

atClyde.Angel@Ironbow.com

Pastoral Care Week Committee:

Clyde Angel: Chair (First Term) - 2022

George Akins - 2024

Brenda Brown - 2023

Kyle Christiansen - 2024

Kathleen Gallivan - 2022
Peter Oliver - 2022
Carolyn Huff - 2024

Tim Staker - 2024

MERCHANDISE TO SUPPORT YOUR CELEBRATION

Spiritual Care Week is no longer offering Spiritual or Pastoral Care Week celebration merchandise. If you desire to have items available to support your local Spiritual Care Week celebration, we encourage you to download one of the printable logo images above and take it to a local printer or merchandiser to create anydesired celebration items.

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