Pastoral Care Week 2021
October 25, 2021
Happy Pastoral Care Week 2021
麻豆视频 in acknowledging Pastoral Care Week extends congratulations to all its聽CPE partners who prepare our students to answer their calls, and to our graduates who have answered the call to the many forms of chaplaincy ministry especially during this time of COVID-19 pandemic- disaster relief, military, correctional, healthcare, nonprofit, faith communities, and corporate. Know that the work that you do listening to people鈥檚 stories in difficult times in their lives participates in 鈥淕od鈥檚 own laboring鈥� to bring about healing and wholeness in the midst of the brokenness that exists within the creation. Christian martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book Life Together states, 鈥淚t is God鈥檚 Love for us that God not only gives us God鈥檚 Word but also lends us God鈥檚 ear. So it is God鈥檚 work that we do for our brothers and sisters when we learn to listen to them (p 97).鈥� When we are attentive to the cries of those who are in need- physically, socially, psychologically, and spiritually- we are doing God鈥檚 work and thus participating in the process of healing to those we serve. Pastoral psychotherapist, Rev. Margaret Kornfeld reminds us, 鈥淵ou are a facilitator in the mysterious healing process that has already begun in those who call you for help.鈥� It is my prayer that as you continue to do pastoral care ministry that you will be a blessing to all those you encounter.
-Dr. Raynard Smith,
Associate Prof. of Pastoral Care and Counseling
Director of the MA in Pastoral Care and Counseling Program