FARMINGTON – Chaplains, pastoral counselors and other spiritual caregivers are celebrating Pastoral Care Week Oct. 19-25.

The annual observance celebrates the work of thousands of well-trained and gifted pastoral caregivers of all faiths.

At Franklin Memorial Hospital, seven clergy members who make up the Board of Chaplains are being recognized. They include the Revs. Steve Bracy, Marriott Churchill, Marcia Charles, Susan Crane, Doug Dunlap, Anne Roundy and Tim Walmer.

These chaplains serve patients’ emotional and spiritual needs.

Hospital chaplains are ministers, priests or other faith tradition leaders who have completed additional training in a hospital setting.

They serve in an “interfaith” capacity, welcoming requests from people regardless of religious tradition.

Chaplains provide pastoral care and counseling for the religious, spiritual and emotional needs of patients and their families in the face of a new diagnosis, or dealing with death, grief, and loss. Other roles include exploring bio-ethical issues and providing sacraments, prayer, and scripture.

Churchill, an ordained United Church of Christ minister, is Franklin Memorial’s first nonvolunteer chaplain. She is at the hospital 24 hours per week, and when she is not on duty, the other six are on call.

Churchill manages the Chaplaincy Program as well as the Patient Support Team, trained volunteers who support critically ill or injured patients and their families.

“Many patients, even those who do not practice any formal religion, have told us that talking with a chaplain has helped them find comfort and strength,” Churchill said.

During Pastoral Care Week, informational table tents will be set up in the hospital’s Healthy Heart Café. Hospital staff and visitors are urged to take time to read them and learn more about chaplain services, who the chaplains are, and when to contact them.

For more information about chaplain services at Franklin Memorial Hospital, phone Churchill at 779-2509.

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