WCA Newsletter 2010 Volume 1

Grace-ful Aging:
Becoming Whole in life’s Second Half

The highlight of every year is the gathering of chaplains from across the Midwest for the annual Wisconsin Chaplaincy Association Fall Conference. With a rich tapestry of topics and perspectives to absorb, attendees are treated to an intimate three days of teaching, fellowship and spiritual renewal. The 2009 conference, held on October 18-20, delivered the anticipated exceptional quality of presentations and certainly did not disappoint.

In the past it was customary for a featured speaker to address the group for one or two days of the conference, but in 2009, Drew Leder, Ph.D., professor at Loyola University Maryland, presented five plenary sessions over the two and a half days, taking the group through a series of philosophical views on aging.

At times drawing from his own Jewish tradition, Leder’s focus was on looking at aging from not only the perspectives of major world religions, but looking at the spiritual archetypes of aging—the “Elder” as contemplative, as wise guide, as wounded healer and as trickster/child.

Drawing from a vast cross section of religious and philosophical thought, Leder spoke of the contemplative archetype in terms of the Hindu life sage model. The wise guide example was a Native American matriarch. He looked to Jesus of Nazareth as his wounded healer. The trickster was a charming discussion of “wearing purple,” from the poem “Warning” by Jenny Joseph and a celebration of the Red Hat Society.

Conference participants were also given a rare opportunity to purchase a couple of Leder’s books, “Sparks of the Divine: Finding Inspiration in Our Everyday World,” and “Spiritual Passages: Embracing Life’s Sacred Journey.”

From “Sacred Passages,” Leder shared a warming quote from Christian mystic Meister Eckhart, “My soul is as young as the day it was created, yes, much younger. In fact, I am younger today than I was yesterday, and if I am not younger tomorrow than I am today, I would be ashamed of myself. People who dwell in God dwell in the eternal now. These people can never grow old.”

Also delighting the group were David Johnson, D. Min, BCC, from North Carolina, whose “Am I getting older?” was “chalked full” of comical anecdotes from his personal life, such as his lament that his daughter married “a Yankee and a Catholic.”

Johnson, a United Methodist, is a certified clinical supervisor with the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education and the president-elect of the board of the Association of Professional Chaplains. Johnson offered practical advice on handling some of the challenges of aging and gave us photographic proof that he, like his father, could wear a badly mismatched shirt and slacks and think nothing of it.

Fr. Andy Nelson, Ph.D., was the banquet speaker and his delightful talk on “Enjoying what we do” left the audience leaning forward and wanting more. Fr. Nelson has had a long and distinguished career as a priest, chaplain supervisor and academic dean. He is widely sought as a lecturer on moral and ethical issues, but it is his gentle, warm approach that warms us with the love of God.

On the final day, Mamoon Syed’s deeply personal and moving recollections of his journey with his dying father went beyond merely giving the chaplains a Muslim perspective on aging, but focused on our commonalities and shared human experience. Syed broke down barriers and stereotypes and shared universal human emotion and kindness.

In addition to the featured speakers, the conference offered break-out sessions, “leaving a Legacy,” by Doug Louken, “The Five S’s of Family Care Giving,” by Penny Andrews, “Age-ing to Sage-ing,” by Aggie Goldenholz and “Sould Pain: The Meaning of suffering in later life,” by Gwen Brandfass.

Conference goers enjoyed diverse interfaith sharing sessions each day with WCA Board members Aggie Goldenholz (Rabbinic Pastor), Paula McKenzie (Roman Catholic chaplain), Penny Andrews (Unitarian-Universalist chaplain) and Mark Teslik (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America chaplain).

The 2009 conference was under the direction of new conference chairman John Froiland, who carried on the tradition from former chairman Rev. Dr. Doug Dowling. The 2010 conference is scheduled for October 17-19 at the Heidel House Resort in scenic Green Lake, Wisconsin.

BOARD UPDATE

by Rick Brewer, WCA President

The following candidates ran unopposed for our 2009 elections and were therefore confirmed as elected to the following positions.

As was published in our last newsletter Dave Baker, the Nominations Committee Chair, solicited additional nominations for the above positions. None were received. The deadline had been October 31, 2009. I hope that you, our membership, will consider looking again at your gifts and abilities to serve in leadership positions on the Board of Directors. I do want to take this opportunity to say a personal thank you to Chaplain Jordan Kuczwara who has been serving on the Board of Directors as our Hospice representative. I would also like to welcome Rabbi Len Lewy as our new Hospice Representative.

The Wisconsin Chaplaincy Association is an all volunteer organization. We depend on our membership. As we look toward the elections of 2010 I will have served the maximum number of terms for the President’s position. In 2010 the offices that will be elected include: President, Secretary, Chaplaincy Conference/Continuing Education Coordinator, At-Large, Acute Care Representative, Long-Term Care Representative and Mental Health Representative.

ISSUES IN CHAPLAINCY

Fr. Gene Pocernich sent along this link to an interesting piece in the New York Times. We pass it along for your consideration

HEALTH | December 12, 2009

Prescriptions: Zen and the Art of Hospital Care
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
As Congress debates extensive changes to the health care system, it has pretty much ignored the institution of hospital chaplains, who play an increasingly vital role.

WCA NEEDS YOU!

WCA Featured Chaplain: Dave Baker

It all started with St. Michael’s, which has been in Stevens Point for nearly 100 years. Two out patient clinics were added to the system within the last three years. St. Clair’s, which competes against a well-established hospital in Wausau, will celebrate its third anniversary of participation in October, while Good Samaritan was purchased from Catholic Initiatives in April 2005. Dave covers all of them and travels between the three every week.

What makes the effort possible is a team of chaplains that Dave has assembled to handle the day-to-day pastoral care of patients, families and staff, in an “excellent way,” Dave adds. He will occasionally take day call for his staff chaplains in each facility, and handles weekend call at St. Michael’s every five weeks.

Dave also takes a three-day holiday call there once a year to allow his team to relax. However, like many head chaplains, the vast majority of his time is spent tending to administration, meetings, policy development, departmental communication with staff and facility leaders.

“I enjoy the opportunity to enable the creativity of staff and the variety each facility offers,” Dave explained. “Being on call, patient, family and staff rounding, and responding to emergencies and crisis intervention is also a joy. To offer a ‘listening presence’ as a chaplain and to respond to whatever issue arises as a director/chaplain is a gift.

“As a director/chaplain it's a "joy" and a "gift" because I consider it an honor to be part of a multi-disciplinary team focused on our patients, families, staff, our facilities and our system's future. It is a unique opportunity to offer care when we sometimes cannot cure, and to be challenged by patients, families, staff and our community.”

Dave is quick to note that being a board member of WCA brings contact with dedicated women and men of all faiths throughout the state of Wisconsin. As a certification team interviewer for the National Association of Catholic Chaplains he is connected to chaplains throughout the United States.

Like so many chaplains in health care, Dave faces challenges every day, but those challenges are what energize him.

“Being in health care, which is highly competitive, expensive and often seen as cold and remote to people, offers a chance to affect and effect people's lives,” he said.

Dave’s professional life goes beyond the job description, as it is more calling than vocation.

“Having the gift of God's love through the healing ministry of Jesus allows me to see the blessings of life, the gifts of faith, love from and for my wife, our children, our families, our friends, which includes our church, our neighborhood, and civil community,” Dave said. “Volunteering at the Salvation Army is a wonderful experience.

Most days these ministries, these challenges, these successes, the above mentioned wonderful people energizes and calls me to see the glass of life as half-full.”

CONNECTIONS: Links to internet resources Association of Professional Chaplains
http://professionalchaplains.org
Clinical Pastoral Education http://acpe.edu
National Association of Catholic Chaplains http://nacc.org
National Association of Jewish Chaplains http://najc.org
PlainViews Newsletter http://plainviews.org

BOOKS FOR PRISONERS

Wisconsin Books to Prisoners provides books and other reading material for Wisconsin correctional institution libraries and directly to prisoners. For more information about this program, please see www.madisoninfoshop.org/wbtp/ or write to Wisconsin Books to Prisoners, 1019 Williamson Street #B, Madison 53703.

WCA 2009 Fall Conference Update:

Planning The Annual Fall Conference

By Rev. John Froiland, BCC

I have had some anxiety assuming the chair of the Wisconsin Chaplaincy Association's annual Fall Conference, October 18-20, at the Heidel House in Green Lake. There are many details to take care of and much planning. Working with the theme of "Aging," Penny Andrews of our planning committee suggested the name of Dr. Drew Leder, who is a philosophy professor at Loyola College in Baltimore.

When I contacted him he was excited to be a presenter at our conference. Dr. Leder has both an M.D. degree and a Ph.D. degree. He has written a number of books, but the one that interested us for our conference is Spiritual Passages, Embracing Life's Sacred Journey. He looks at aging from different religious and cultural perspectives. I think he will be a dynamic and engaging presenter.

Additionally, a number of chaplains are putting together their materials for our break-out sessions, which will again be offered as part of the conference. We will have opportunity to meet with our specialty groups as we have done in the past (APC, NACC, DOC). As usual, we will have our annual banquet on Monday evening. And another part of the conference that we don't always talk about, and what I really enjoy, is the opportunity to network with other chaplains and simply spend time together as colleagues. Of course the Heidel House is a beautiful setting on Green Lake, and they accommodate virtually every need and request we have.

This year we are reducing the cost of the conference from previous years. Being aware of the economy, and the continuing education money that has been reduced or eliminated in come cases, we want our chaplains to be able to come. We are maintaining the high caliber of conference that we are accustomed to, while trying to keep the cost low.

As time gets closer and official registration materials are made available, you will see a significantly reduced cost.

I'm hoping that everyone who wants to come to this annual event will be able to come. We are gearing up and getting ready for a really good conference. I hope to see you there.

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WCA ELECTIONS 2010

As a result of the revision of our elections sections of our WCA by-laws, there is greater opportunity for WCA Membership participation in the nomination process.

Beginning with our WCA October 18-20 Fall Conference at Green Lake until October 31 (either at the conference or through the mail) WCA members will be able to nominate a WCA member to run for the following two year WCA board of director positions: Vice President; Treasurer; one Long Term Care Representative; and one At Large Member.

Nominated candidates must agree to run and only WCA members may nominate and/or run as candidates. While the nomination process will begin at the fall conference it’s not too early to begin thinking about a nominee or running yourself!

WHAT’S GOING ON

• One of the highlights of our banquet at the Fall Conference is the awarding of the “The Distinguished Chaplain Award” and the “Emeritus Award.” • • WCA members are invited to please forward their nominations to Ned Wicker (nwicker@wi.rr.com, or Edwin.wicker@phci.org). The nomination should contain the nominees name and some biographical material – as well as an explanation as to why you think they are deserving of the award.

• The WCA web site is under construction and work is continuing. You can find the partially-completed site at http://WCAchaplains.org or you can use the old url and get there as well. • • You will notice that there is a blog. It is there for every member of the WCA who wishes to make an editorial contribution. Send your blog entry to Ned Wicker, nwicker@wi.rr.com, or Edwin.wicker@phci.org.

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WANTED: YOUR STORY

What is going on with you? Please share your news by sending an e-mail to nwicker@wi.rr.com, and if possible, include a photo. The WCA is all about its people and we would like you to share your story. Simply follow along, write responses for the following questions, and allow for a follow-up question or two:
1. Tell us about the facility or facilities you serve.
2. How long have you been there?
3. Where did you serve prior to your current assignment?
4. How many staff members are on your team?
5. What is your passion in ministry?
6. In keeping with our Fall Conference theme, share a story about how you ministered to a person of another faith.
7. Is there anything about you and your ministry that you want people to know?
8. Share your thoughts on where you want to take your ministry, i.e. adding new programs, staff, etc.
9. E-mail a photo.

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UPCOMING EVENT: “Legacy Planning and Ethical Wills”

A conference for clergy, health professionals, clinicians, professional chaplains, lay people and all interested in the spirituality of aging

Who: Eric Weiner, MSW, PhD

When: Thursday September 17, 2009
9:30-10:00 m Registration, Coffee, Refreshments and Networking 10:00-11:30 Program

Where: Grand Hall
Capitol Lakes
333 West Main St.
Madison, WI 53703

Writing an ethical will is not for the fainthearted. It takes courage to confront life and mortality. You should be willing to ask yourself some of these questions:

What do I consider the essential truths I have learned in life?

What are my convictions, values and important life lessons?

What role has religion played in my life?

What are my spiritual beliefs? What are my hopes for the future?

These are challenging questions that require deep reflection.

Ethical wills have a long and rich oral tradition in Jewish history. Written ethical wills date back to the 12th century. The custom was to write directions for the religious and secular guidance of children.

The objectives for the presentation are:
-- reflect on one’s core values;
-- define and discuss personal legacy issues;
-- create a first draft of an Ethical Will;

An example of an ethical will is: “Have integrity. Your yes should mean yes, your no should mean no. Be the person you say you are. When you peel a banana have you ever gotten anything other than a banana? That is what integrity is, being on the inside who you say you are on the outside. It is not always easy but it is always valuable”
Eric L. Weiner has worked for over 12 years in family and internal medicine as a therapist, educator and consultant. His current practice in family therapy has grown to encompass a specialization in practical consulting with financial advisors and estate attorneys.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, he helps uncover the psychological and relationship issues associated with family wealth and long-term estate and legacy planning.
His professional training includes a doctorate in marriage and family therapy from Kansas State University, and academic appointments in Family Medicine from the Medical College of Wisconsin and Michigan State University.
A seminar designed for clinicians, chaplains, clergy, lay people and all interested in the spirituality of aging. Held in the Grand Hall of Capitol Lakes, 333 West Main St. Free parking for visitors is available across the street from the Main Street entrance. This Conference is sponsored by The Association of Spiritual Caregivers of Meriter Health Services and Capitol Lakes Department of Spiritual Care:

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WCA CHAPLAINS PROFILE

By Fr. Lucien R. Gaudreault, Roman Catholic Chaplain, Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, Walworth County Jail

I am Fr. Lucien-R. Gaudreault, a Divine Word Missionary, aka an “S.V.D.” (a Latin abbreviation). I am a full-time chaplain in Elkhorn WI., ministering at one hospital (2 days per week and on-call 24X7) and at the county jail (3 days per week).

In the past, my ministry as a Roman Catholic missionary priest, has been in Canada, in Congo Africa, in the Philippines: in a High School, Jail, Nursing Home, Hospice, Hospital and with a group of disabled. Here in Wisconsin since 2000, I have worked in Milwaukee, first at the Alexian Brothers Village on Brown Deer Rd., then at Froedtert Hospital, and finally at St Luke’s Medical Center, where I became a certified chaplain for Hospital Ministry.

This last May 15, I was very surprised and honored to receive an award from the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department for my ministry at the County Jail, with the inmates, the correctional officers and occasionally with deputy sheriffs.

With more than 600 inmates at the jail (men and women), there is another chaplain who comes once a week for an evening Bible sharing. Since 2003, I have offered individual counseling and spiritual guidance. Believe me, my 1973 College Degree in Psychology, my 1976 Masters in Divinity, as well as my 1988 Masters in Missiology are very useful. Moreover, I am always working for my on-going education and hopefully soon, for my certification for Correctional Ministry.

My goal at the jail is that before being an evangelizer, I need to be with all our inmates, as a simple human being: to establish emotional and spiritual contact; being inclusive, regardless of gender, race, misdemeanor, criminal, social, spiritual or religious background.

I encourage them to be aware of what is going wrong with them, with no denial, to be responsible for how they hurt others by their actions; to learn self expression in a truthful manner, to have a realistic self picture for their own self-esteem, finally to develop abilities for self-control in the future. I try to help them realize that jail time can be a good time for personal assessment and hope for rehabilitation.

My hope for them is: inner and social transformation for re-insertion in our society, to understand the point of view of the victim, the deputy sheriff, the correctional officer as well as the district attorney department and the judge. I hope for them: recovery from all kinds of addictions and spiritual renewal. My last wish is that they will reestablish contacts with their family and their own religious affiliation.

As a chaplain, I really believe that we are all, as human beings, limited. We are all different. We all can help one another to grow as better persons, as better civilians and as better Christians, or whatever one’s spiritual belief and religious practice.

I know that I am learning day by day from my contact with the inmates, as well as with the correctional officers and deputy sheriffs. To listen is my first step for ongoing learning and my ability to respond in the future, to new needs and projects.

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HOT TOPIC OF THE MONTH: Hospice care behind bars

Should hospice care be offered in our state prisons? And, if hospice care is to be offered in the prisons, do those prisons have to follow the same regulations as other hospice facilities? Who is going to provide spiritual care?

It’s an interesting topic that got attention recently in a Wisconsin State Journal article. The focus of the story was on the Dodge Correctional Institution, which has been offering a hospice program for the last two years. Dodge was selected to have this program because it is the only place with an on-site hospital offering 24/7 medical care. But there are issues relating to hospice care in prisons and those issues are of concern to the WCA.

First we’ll examine some of the concerns that correctional facility staff have expressed concerning this program. Medical personnel are concerned about the administration of narcotic drugs for pain management at end of life to those with a history of drug abuse.

The program calls for training inmates to provide care, but there is a security concern about having hospice rooms open at all times and inmate care providers being with patients without guards being present. If one prison does not have hospice, there is concern that the cost of transporting prisoners to Dodge will be prohibitive.

Since its inception, some 32 patients have been admitted into the hospice program at Dodge. The length of stay has been as long as 310 days and as short as four hours. The article stated that the most common causes of death were cancer and cardiovascular disease. Some prisoners were granted compassionate release and allowed to die at home.

WCA members who work in hospice know the obvious concerns. There are many challenges, including but not limited to the 24/7 family availability. For WCA members specifically, there is a concern about who is providing spiritual care and bereavement support. The article said that prison inmates are trained for service in this area.

The article also said the Dodge infirmary psychologist thinks the program makes the facility safer. The Agnesian Hospice in Fond du Lac trains the volunteers for the prison hospice, but there appears to be no requirement for the program to be supervised by a board certified chaplain.

From a chaplaincy perspective, there appears to be many questions that need to be answered to ensure that hospice care behind bars is of high quality and operating on the same footing as programs in all communities.

(The Wisconsin State Journal article was written by Karen Rivedal and published on March 1, 2009)