Remarks from Tommy Rogers, at the May 6th Art of Healing gala.

Tonight I want to highlight two programs and give you a glimpse of where we hope to head in the next 70 years and how you can have an impact on our work.

First, Chaplaincy at Stroger.  It wasn’t until recently when I was going through some files in my office that I saw the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago has supported having a chaplain at Stroger since the 1870s.  1870s!  That’s almost 150 years!

Second, our Spiritual Care Visitor Training Program.  This year, our Spiritual Care Visitor Training Program turns 26 years old!  Last year it went through a major overhaul as we worked alongside experts at Rush in curriculum development and research to remove modules that were redundant and to reflect 21^st century spiritual care.  We also invited in new and more diverse faculty – people who are at the forefront of spiritual care and education.

So where are these two programs going in the next 70 years?  As part of our strategic plan, our big holy audacious goal is not to just have one full-time chaplain at Stroger, but two, three, even four.  In January 2018, our trustees approved a new fund called the Bishop James Montgomery Chaplaincy at Stroger Cook County Hospital in honor of Bishop Montgomery’s leadership as the 9^th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and his commitment to Bishop Anderson House and Rush University Medical Center (Bishop Montgomery is a life trustee of both!).

The other fund the board created in January is the Deacon Ron Valentine Spiritual Care Visitor Training Program.  Ron served on our board for many years and long had the vision to take our spiritual care visitor training program to a wider audience.  Unfortunately, the resources weren’t there to go bigger until recently, with amazing changes in technology.  Our big, holy, audacious goal with our spiritual care visitor training program is to have a hybrid program where people would come together all day on a Saturday to cover some topics face-to-face live in real time and then the remainder of the program they could complete online – all they need is a high speed internet connection, webcam, and computer with mic and speakers.

So how can you help have an impact on these programs?  I’m glad you asked. Our goal is to raise $1.75 million towards programs and endowment to ensure that Bishop Anderson House can grow, develop, and transform these two core programs as well as other areas of ministry and achieve our big, holy audacious goals.  To date, we have received pledges of $600,000.

Perhaps you’ve just known Bishop Anderson House when a chaplain came by to visit you when you were hospitalized at Rush or Stroger or by being a student in our spiritual care visitor training program or receiving care from one of our hundreds of alumni throughout Chicagoland who have been part of this program these last 26 years.

Now is your chance to help us achieve our goal.  Perhaps you can write a large check, or perhaps you can make a monthly commitment by sending $20, $50, $100 or $200 per month.  Perhaps you can’t do anything right now, but you can remember Bishop Anderson House in your estate plans.  Every gift matters, because every gift provides spiritual care to someone in need.

I know that a picture is worth 1,000 words, so we’ve created a video to show you where we’re at and give you a glimpse of where we’d like to go next.  In our case statement, you can see all the various programs we run including our ministry with the deaf community, self-care events for staff in the Illinois Medical District – you can get a broader perspective of what all we do and the thousands of lives each year we touch through spiritual care.

Just imagine if everyone who came into the hospital at Stroger who wanted to see a professional chaplain was able to – it is within our reach.

Imagine if lay people who really want to help their neighbor in need could acquire the skills to support them –and also learn when it is appropriate to make a referral to a professional – it is within our reach with your help.

I know that a picture is worth 1,000 words, so we’ve created a video to show you where we’re at and give you a glimpse of where we’d like to go next.  In our case statement, you can see all the various programs we run including our ministry with the deaf community, self-care events for staff in the Illinois Medical District – you can get a broader perspective of what all we do and the thousands of lives each year we touch through spiritual care.

After seeing what the future holds for Bishop Anderson House, see how you can respond to the love of God in your life and say, “Thank you God.” Help us move into our next 70 years with stability and the capacity to reach more and more people yearning for comfort.