VALLEY FORGE, PA (5/6/20)—On Thursday, April 30, 2020, American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) hosted a Courageous Conversation with Chaplains. Chaplains are on the frontlines of spiritual care during COVID-19. Participants received resources to provide pastoral care and support to their communities. Panelists discussed the ethical and theological issues that have arisen during COVID-19. Since spiritual caregivers are not able to be physically present, participants were encouraged to think more about using scripture and their words more effectively and compassionately. Those in need are not always looking for answers but are seeking companionship, theological exploration, and assurance that comfort will come. Panelists also shared self-care practices that included prayer meditation, maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, and music.
Rev. Gina Jacobs-Strain, executive director of ABWM said, “The chaplains calming presence and transparency was helpful and encouraging. They also highlighted the use of the arts and especially music as a source of renewal for themselves and those that they serve and support.”
Panelists included Rev. Angel Sullivan, Staff Chaplain at St. Joseph’s Hospital-Bay Care Health Systems, Tampa, FL; Mr. Samuel Yenn-Batah, Manager of Pastoral Care at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, Plainsboro, NJ; Rev. Barrie-Lyn Foster, FASNY & CNYFA Fire Chaplain, Genoa, NY; Rev. Kei Okada, Program Manager, End-of-Life Spiritual Care at Visiting Nurse Service of New York Hospice and Palliative Care in New York City, NY, NY); Rev. Emily Phillips Davis, Hospice Chaplain at VISTAS Healthcare, San Antonio, TX; Rev. Caroline Unzaga, Certified Educator Candidate at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, Plainsboro, NJ. American Baptist Women’s Ministries is excited to continue equipping leaders with the resources they need through the Reset and Reimagine ministry during COVID-19 and beyond. To support ABWM in COVID-19 relief and restoration efforts, make a gift today at www.abwomensministries.org/ResetandReimagine.
To view the webinar recording of Courageous Conversation with chaplains webinar visit www.abwomensministries.org/webinars. The next Courageous Conversation will be Thursday, May 14th, at 7:00pmEST. The webinar featuring a panel of H.S. counselors and College Admissions Professionals aims to ease fears and inform H.S. students, incoming college students and parents of how COVID-19 might impact their future.
American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) is a diverse community of American Baptist women and girls serving in ministry in Christ’s name in the US including Puerto Rico as well as internationally. With local, area, region/state, and national levels of ministry, American Baptist Women’s Ministries creates and sustains communities of passionately faithful, mission-minded women and girls engaged in worship, service, and friendship. Our ministries include domestic violence and sex trafficking prevention and education, building beloved community, and developing leaders. To learn more about American Baptist Women’s Ministries, visit our website at www.abwomensministries.org.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.