FARMINGTON – Prescribing to the theme “Healing Wisdom,” chaplains, patient support team volunteers and other spiritual caregivers will note Pastoral Care Week on Sunday through Saturday, Oct. 23 to 29. The observance celebrates the work of thousands of pastoral caregivers of all faiths.

At Franklin Memorial Hospital, seven clergy members who make up the board of chaplains will be recognized. They include the Revs. Steve Bracy, Marriott Churchill, Marcia Charles, Susan Crane, Doug Dunlap, Tom Deschaines and Tim Walmer.

The chaplains serve patients’ emotional and spiritual needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hospital chaplains serve in an interfaith capacity, welcoming requests from people regardless of religious tradition.

They 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 Hospital’s director of chaplaincy services.

Besides managing the chaplaincy program, she serves as hospital chaplain 24 hours a week, and when not on duty, the other six chaplains are on-call.

Churchill also supervises the patient support team, which is comprised of volunteers who support critically ill or injured patients and their families.

The team is trained to make referrals and identify additional support needed for critically ill or injured patients and their families.

All have gone through a significant event in their life that makes them better able to understand what an individual in crisis may be feeling and to provide support. Team volunteers include Marge Beckler, Ernie Bickford, Gloria Bickford, Glennice Cottle, Bernice Disotto, Larry Wilbur, Belle Foss and Marie Poulin. Four others in training are Laura Lowe, Bev Pond, Wilma Hobbs and Judy Pottle.

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

She also noted that the Tree of Life Chapel and Quiet Room, located on the hospital’s first floor, offers a quiet space for patients, staff and visitors to be alone with thoughts and prayers, sit with family members and friends, or spend a time of peace and quiet.

Special activities at the hospital will include a service of recognition at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, in the Tree of Life Chapel and Quiet Room.

A reception will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. to meet the chaplains and support team in the Walden Room. Refreshments will be available.

Informational table tents will be set up in the hospital’s cafeteria all week so staff and visitors can learn more about chaplain services, who the chaplains are and when to contact them.

For more information contact Churchill at 779-2509.