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Pastoral Care
How Pastoral Care Can Support YouWe’re here to listen to patients, their families and caregivers – of all faiths and beliefs –and help you find inner strength, peace and hope Sometimes we all need a little extra help, especially when times are tough. A sympathetic ear, a hand to hold, someone to help us work through difficult decisions. A Lehigh Valley Hospital chaplain may be the friend you need to help you find inner strength, peace and hope.Our chaplains offer spiritual care and emotional support for patients, their families and caregivers. Spirituality goes beyond religion, integrating body, mind and spirit to help you maintain health and cope with illness, trauma, loss and life transitions. Our chaplains provide pastoral care in the hospital, working with your pastor or spiritual advisor if you desire. They are specially educated and experienced in providing the unique care you need and mobilizing spiritual resources to help you cope more effectively. We are committed to respecting your privacy and confidentiality, and providing a supportive, nonjudgmental environment for you to discuss your concerns. Your Spiritual Beliefs Are Important To UsYour spirituality and relationship with a higher power are intensely personal. We respect your cultural and spiritual needs, values and rituals. We are not here to convert you to our individual beliefs, but to walk with you on your journey, offering a supportive ear and open heart. We will rejoice with you in good news, or help you cope when the news is not so good. We are her to help you find strength and hope.Our chaplains can care for you, or we can connect you with your own faith community. Out of respect for your privacy, we will not automatically call your spiritual advisor. Pastoral care volunteers will visit you and ask if you would like us to list you as a member of a particular congregation or call your congregation. Our Services to YouIf you desire our care, we can lead prayer and meditation, offer blessings and sacraments, read holy texts and participate in other forms of worship, or we can help you explore spiritual concerns outside of the boundaries of traditional religions.Our chaplains are trained to minister to people of all faiths and beliefs. Our Christian ministers can perform baptisms, administer communion and anoint the sick, and our Catholic priest can administer the sacraments of Holy Communion and anointing of the sick for Catholic patients. If you request other services, we can connect you with rabbis, imams, Hindu and Buddhist priests and Native American shamans. We will also work with the food service department to offer religiously appropriate food if that is important to you. If you’re a family member who lives far and cannot be with your loved one at the end of life, pastoral care can help. We offer a program called No One Dies Alone. We teach volunteers how to provide a comforting presence to patients who might otherwise be alone at the end of life. They’ll hold your loved ones hand, read to them, keep them company and ensure they are comfortable. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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What You Need to Know About Your or Your Loved One's VisitOur Patient and Visitor Guide answers many of your questions including what to pack, important phone numbers and making your health care wishes known to your doctors.
You and Your Faith CommunityIn respect of your privacy, we will only contact your faith community with your permission. Volunteers will visit you when you’re a patient and explain the availability of our chaplains to you. If you would like to be listed as a member of a congregation, please let us know and we will contact your faith leader.
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