Online Events For Chaplains

Rev. Blaire Walker, Head Chaplain of Interfaith Chaplaincy at the busiest airport in the world, Atlanta Hartsfield. and Rev. Josh Messick from the North American Maritime Ministry Association will join us to discuss the unique circumstances providing support in a world where the movement of people and goods is the framework for care. They will explore religious and spiritual diversity, travel stress, advocacy, crisis and human frailty and resilience.

Dr. Judith Ragsdale is an ACPE Educator and Associate Professor, Division of General & Community Pediatrics at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital. We will discuss one of her research constructs, Religiously Informed, Relationally Skillful Chaplaincy Theory (RIRSCT). This moldel proposes a middle-range, prescriptive theory of healthcare chaplaincy bringing together in a new way the importance of religion/spirituality (R/S) to people of faith receiving healthcare and the interpersonal competence of clinically educated chaplains.

How do we embrace, utilize and critique the impact of popular culture content on spiritual care? What can chaplains learn from Beyoncé, The Super Bowl, Taylor Swift, NASCAR and Kendrick Lamar?

Rev. Gabrielle Kennedy is an AME pastor and community chaplain with the Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) in St. Louis. They serve people who have been impacted by gun violence, providing holistic, culturally appropriate medical and social/spiritual care. You can learn more about the BRIC here.

Chaplains are viewed as naturally empathic people. It is often the first word used to describe the characteristics of a spiritual care provider. Paul Bloom a psychologist from Yale, wrote a book called Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion. Two yet to be named chaplains will debate the work of Paul Bloom and it usefulness or detriment to chaplaincy. Here is Bloom making his argument.

Rev. Dr. Emily Brault and Rev. Aaron Unseth will discuss the impact of confinement on spiritual care meaning making, and the challenges of transformative care. They will also discuss care themes and modalities they feel lead to depth explorations for prisoners and patients. Some articles to get you thinking about prison ministry. The Challenges and Calling of Prison Chaplains International Prison Chaplain Association

What happens when patients talk about politics? What role might chaplains play on election day at the polls? Does election fear and anxiety require chaplains to develop strategies and interventions?