The first session of 2021 Spiritual Care Visitor Training kicked off in January with Zoom retreats introducing active listening, the cornerstone of the course. The students, from the Chicagoland area and Wisconsin, and are now completing the 7 online modules at their own pace. Students practice their skills 2 hours per week by providing (virtual) spiritual care, and writing 2 verbatims, which provides time for reflection on their visits. Next session begins with the virtual retreats on August 21 and 28.  Learn more here, or contact Kim at Kim_Lessner@rush.edu.

The energetic Friends of the House team spent the end of 2020 planning a collection of warm winter items for Hope's Table and the CORE Center of Cook County. "I was blown away by how many people came together to donate to community members in need," shares Lesli Vipond, a member of the Friends of the House board. "We'd hoped people would participate in the clothing drive, but the support from the community and our business partners was honestly so much more than I could have imagined. What a bright spot at the end of a long year!" Bags [...]

The West Side Partners in Caring program is a bereavement support group for families who have lost their children during pregnancy or after birth.  Since the pandemic, the monthly group gatherings have moved to Zoom meetings.  This group provides parents an opportunity to share their stories and receive support from each other and from the facilitators.  Currently the group has only been open to Rush families, although historically both UIC and Stroger have participated in the program.  In January, we began dialogue with Stroger to reinitiate involvement so that more families are able to receive support after they leave the hospital.  [...]

I never thought I would miss the sound of weeping or gnashing of teeth But now I long for it over the constant hum of those damn machines They just don’t mourn quite the same. 15 minutes is all you get, no hugs no kiss on the cheek They tell the family as they don their gowns with ease I hand a form for the body’s release It is their 5th one this week They knew the funeral home address by memory What’s the purpose of someone like me? I know that I’m supposed one who can accompany, But [...]

Exciting News! We are overjoyed to share that the United Thank Offering (UTO) of the Episcopal Church is funding the creation of a Spanish language, ethnically sensitive version of Spiritual Care Visitor Training. By training members in LatinX communities, we will be reaching out to those people who are exceptionally affected by Covid-19 yet so often fall through the cracks of our healthcare system.  We are grateful to the UTO for endorsing our vision of spreading effective, healing, nurturing and reconciling spiritual care to people who are struggling, especially in these tumultuous times. “Choosing which grant applications to fund and not [...]

As healers and caregivers we are committed to continue our work dismantling racism and discrimination wherever we find it and to foster and protect the dignity and worth of every human being. Eliminating white supremacy is imperative to our charter of advancing healing of the whole person. To that end, we are calling for four things: First, we call on elected officials and political parties to formally disavow white supremacists and nationalist groups. Their rhetoric contributes to racial battle fatigue and Continuous Traumatic Stress Disorder which affects the health and healing of the whole person. We encourage all persons to [...]

Are you a young professional looking to connect with like minded individuals for service and social activities? Perhaps you have taken Spiritual Care Visitor Training and would like to be more involved with our mission. Led by Jon Wes and Kerri Callahan, the Friends of the House are bonding virtually and developing plans for service, education and social activities. This month they are gathering to reflect upon several articles and books focused on systemic racism in America. Are you a young professional with an interest in spiritual care? Then contact Jon to join.

Bishop Anderson House, in conjunction with Rush University Medical Center is offering a community/parish-based extended (26-week) unit of clinical pastoral education(CPE) beginning September 21, 2020 - March 19, 2021. The Rev. Mary L. Altenbaumer, ACPE Certified Educator will be the supervisor for the group, which will meet on Mondays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Bishop Anderson House. Students in the unit will need to secure their own clinical placement site. Some options include: a local faith community, a continuing care retirement facility, or a nursing home. Students will engage in 300 hours of ministry (roughly 15 hours [...]

Your well-being is important to all of us at Bishop Anderson House, and we encourage you to take good care of your spiritual and mental health during this unusual time. Strengthening spiritual practices is a useful tool in building resiliency for times of change and crisis. We offer this guide for your journey: Spiritual Wellness Practices Visit the Healing One, Healing the World tab for additional self-care videos and articles.

As I write this, things have shifted in the Illinois Medical District. Anytime Chaplain Micheal or I come to work and enter Stroger Hospital of Cook County or Rush University Medical Center, we are required to wear a facemask. While this might seem innocuous enough, it has made me realize how much we all communicate nonverbally and how hard it is to interpret what someone is saying or the meaning behind what they are saying when I can’t see if they are smiling, their lips are pursed, if they are yawning because what I am saying is boring, or if [...]