Caregiving Archives - Rest Ministries - Chronic Illness and Pain Support

How to Bring a Meal to A Friend Who is Chronically Ill

November 26, 2012 By admin 9 Comments

When was the last time you decided to bring a meal to a friend who is hurting? By Lisa Copen Every person and family is unique, so there is not a perfect list of what everyone should or should not do when delivering a meal. The tips below however, are things to consider when you are giving the gift of food. I know someone who is chronically ill and I'd like to volunteer to bring a meal for her family. Where do I start? While some people will be glad if you bring a meal, others may be embarrassed to accept it. I remember as a newly married woman, I was struggling a great deal with my rheumatoid arthritis. A woman from my Bible study brought me a big container of chili and said, "I made this for my family today and ended up with way too … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Caregiving, Cooking, What's New? Tagged With: bring a meal, Jodi Picoult

What To Do For Those Who Are Hurting When You Don’t Know What To Do

November 17, 2011 By admin 3 Comments

As the holidays approach more people than usual are looking for ways to reach out to help a hurting friend. Sadly, this shouldn't be a seasonal event, but something we do all year round. But most people just don't know how to do that reaching out! Well, thanks to a wonderful book we don't have that excuse any longer! One of my all-time favorite books is The Art of Helping: What to Say and Do When Someone is Hurting by Lauren Littauer Briggs. In fact, I am very honored to have a section in it for those with chronic illness. But the whole book is helpful for those of us who, well, care. And it is one of the few books I believe should be on the desk of every pastor and church secretary! So much so that when it was first published we … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Books, Caregiver, Caregiving, Church Leader, Friend Has Illness, Holidays, Medical Professional, Need to Know, Person w/ lll Spouse, Support Group Leader, What's New? Tagged With: cae-giver, Caregiver, depressed about loss of pet, Family, how to help a firend, reaching out, when a friend is hurting, when a friend is ill

In Response to Pat Robertsons Statment on Alzheimer’s and Divorce

September 16, 2011 By admin 21 Comments

I was shocked to hear such a bold statement from Mr. Pat Robertson, 700 club host, who, on Tuesday's broadcast, justified that a person should not be held accountable for leaving his spouse and seeking divorce if his spouse has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. In this scenario Mr. Robertson has shown the world that one's personal comfort, especially in the case of having a spouse with a chronic illness, is more important than the marriage vows of "for better or for worse, until death do us part." The religious broadcaster Pat Robertson and chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) told his "700 Club" viewers that divorcing a spouse with Alzheimer's is justifiable because the disease is "a kind of death." During … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caregiver, Caregiving, Church Leader, Founder's Blog, Marriage, Person w/ lll Spouse, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: 700 Club, Alzheimer's disease, Christian Broadcasting Network, Joel Hunter, Joni Eareckson Tada, Pat Robertson, Rest Ministries, Terry Meeuwsen

“The Patch” – How God Used a Childhood Experience To Change My Opinion of Nursing Homes

April 24, 2011 By admin 4 Comments

By Carol Gray I have hated nursing homes ever since I toured one as a girl scout in 1978. It was difficult being an eight-year-old girl walking the hallways, passing rooms of the dying. I wondered, did I actually sign up for this? Did I really bring home a permission slip for this field trip? What was the sales-pitch by the scout master, oh yeah, I would get a patch…those darn patches! The "Service and Citizenship" patch would be the reward for entertaining the elderly for the day. I remember thinking that most of them did not look at us with sentiment, only desperation; as if they wanted us to help them escape the inevitable. How depressing. I took that patch and hid it away in my drawer hoping to forget about the entire … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Caregiver, Caregiving, Joy, Support Group Leader Tagged With: Bedsore, Carol Gray, Girl Scouts of the USA, God, Indiana Wesleyan University, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Lord, Nursing home, nursing home ministries, nursing home ministry, outreach to chronically ill

Chaplain Links and Publications

March 16, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Other Chaplaincy Links of Interest American Association of Pastoral Counselors AAPC is evolving into a more diverse professional organization serving within an increasingly complex world. Our members now represent a broader spectrum of theological and spiritual traditions and work among a wide variety of health care providers and settings. American College of Physicians Home Care Guide for Advanced Cancer An excellent resource for chaplaincy caregiving for those undergoing cancer treatments, through all the processes from grieving, to symptoms of treatments, respite, death, etc. Great resources for the chaplain to utilize to be there for the entire family. COMISS Network: The Network on Ministry in Specialized Settings A network … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caregiver, Caregiving, Church Leader, Links, Medical Professional, What's New? Tagged With: academic, association of professional chaplain, chaplain, chaplain jobs, chaplaincy, chaplian, Christianity, Chronic Illness, God, hospice chaplain, hospital visitation, Mental Health, military chaplain, pastoral care, Religion and Spirituality, United States, United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Specialized Chaplaincy Organizations

March 9, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

Specialized Chaplaincy Organizations Corporate Chaplains of America (CCA) The organization employs full time, long term, career chaplains who combine workplace experience with professional chaplaincy training. In addition to holding seminary level or higher degrees, all chaplains will pursue certification through 154 hours of continuing education within the first year of tenure. Federation of Fire Chaplains The purpose of this organization is to bring together individuals and groups who are interested in providing effective chaplaincies for fire service organizations. Its members exchange and share ideas and concerns that influence the quality of life of all members of the fire service and their families. International Conference of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caregiver, Caregiving, Church Leader, Links, Medical Professional, Support Group Leader, What's New? Tagged With: academic, association of professional chaplain, chaplain, chaplain jobs, chaplaincy, chaplian, Chronic Illness, Don't Ask Don't Tell, God, hospice chaplain, hospital visitation, military chaplain, Pentagon, Robert Gates, United States, United States armed forces, United States Corps of Chaplains

Denominational and Hospital Chaplaincy Resources

March 2, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Denominational Chaplaincy Resources The Assemblies of God Chaplaincy Ministries The mission of AG Chaplaincy is to reach people in specialized settings through extraordinary ministries that are biblically based, compassionate, and transforming. The National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) This a professional association for certified chaplains and clinical pastoral educators who participate in the healing mission of Jesus Christ. We provide standards, certification, education, advocacy and professional development for our members in service to the Church and society. National Association of Evangelicals Commission on Chaplains National Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC) A professional organization for Rabbis, Cantors, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caregiver, Caregiving, Church Leader, Links, Medical Professional, What's New? Tagged With: academic, association of professional chaplain, California, chaplain, chaplain jobs, chaplaincy, chaplian, Chronic Illness, God, hospice chaplain, hospital visitation, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jews, military chaplain, Professional association, Rabbi, Religion and Spirituality, United States

Chaplain Associations and Resources to Serve the Chronically Ill

February 23, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

The chaplain can serve in many specialized ministries. Whether you are a fireman chaplain, a military chaplain, or a rodeo chaplain, there is a profession out there for you and a professional association to support you in your work. What is a chaplain? Webster’s dictionary defines a chaplain as “a member of the clergy officially attached to a special group.” Regardless of if you're searching for information on how to become a chaplain or more resources like a basic session on ethics in healthcare for chaplains, we hope you can find it here through our resources and links. Chaplain Associations Association of Professional Chaplains An interfaith professional pastoral care association of providers of pastoral care endorsed by … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caregiver, Caregiving, Church Leader, Medical Professional, What's New? Tagged With: academic, association of professional chaplain, chaplain, chaplain jobs, chaplaincy, chaplian, Christ, Christian, Chronic Illness, God, hospice chaplain, hospital visitation, Jesus, military chaplain, Professional association, Religion and Spirituality

7 Secrets the Chronically Ill Want Chaplains to Know

February 16, 2011 By admin 3 Comments

By Lisa Copen 1. Have a sense of humor about my illness if I do. I know you're trained to search for if I'm in denial, but sometimes a good laugh about a situation or health challenge is my way of coping so feel free to laugh with me. 2. I will likely tell you I go to church more often than I do. You're a chaplain, so I have to sound somewhat disciplined if I am a spiritual person, right? (Never mind that lying to you isn't exactly "spiritual.") Honestly, as much as I may want to go, I get there a lot less. If you have any way to get my church to put the service online or on a free CD I will listen to it. 3. Skip the platitudes. You probably already know that but it's easy for anyone to slip into saying things like "God won't … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Caregiver, Caregiving, Church Leader, Need to Know, What's New? Tagged With: academic, association of professional chaplain, chaplain, chaplain jobs, chaplaincy, chaplian, Christianity, Chronic (medicine), Chronic Illness, God, Health, hospice chaplain, hospital visitation, Illness, Mental Health, military chaplain, Religion & Spirituality, Rest Ministries

Book Review: No Small Miracles by a Pediatric Chaplain

February 10, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

By Lisa Copen The loss of a daughter who is simply taking a photo of a blimp. . . giving birth to a child you know will live less than ninety minutes. . .Who would believe these stories could give one hope? Norris Burkes, author of No Small Miracles: Heartwarming, Humorous, and Hopefilled Stories from a Pediatric Chaplain, however, does just that. Through his eyes as a chaplain husband, and father we are given an inside look at the daily joy a someone in his profession can find even in the darkness of the most devastating circumstances. Burkes has experience as a chaplain who has worked in pediatric chaplaincy as well as a military chaplian. Filled with just the right amount of honest vulnerabilities and even humor, this book reminds … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Caregiver, Caregiving, Church Leader, Medical Professional, What's New? Tagged With: academic, association of professional chaplain, books by chaplains, chaplain, chaplain jobs, chaplaincy, chaplian, Christianity, Chronic (medicine), Chronic Illness, God, hospital visitation, Jesus, military chaplain, Pain, provides tools for hospital visitation, Religion & Spirituality, Rest Ministries

“Dear Abby” Letter Talks of Congregation Members Spreading Germs

October 30, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

This last week, 10/21/10, someone wrote to Dear Abby asking how to handle people who want to greet her with a kiss. As the “cold and flu” season approaches, most of us with chronic illness can relate well with this woman. We don’t want to be rude, but we don’t always want to go into a long explanation about why we aren’t excited about that kiss on the cheek or handshake. I’m working on an article now about this for the Huffington Post and would love your ideas, experiences and suggestions. How do you handle the times people extend their hand expecting you to shake it, just after they have coughed into it? Do you always carry hand sanitizer in your purse? I’d love some suggestions to share with the masses so please … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Caregiving, Explaining Illness, Person w/ Illness, What's New?

Mom, I Remember You

April 29, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

By Richard L. Provencher Letting us dunk our cookies in our glasses of milk at the kitchen table, even though we made a mess spilling milk & dropping cookie crumbs. Laughing as you watched us take apart our Oreo cookies, then slowly licking each side making sure we collected all the inside sweetness. Letting us help bake cookies, especially peanut butter ones & not being upset when I used to eat a clump of the batter, which was so tasty. Giving us the fish eye whenever we jostled each other's elbows on the table, after you had marked an imaginary boundary line with your finger. Bringing home Chinese Food from Dick Woo's, eating & laughing with us even though you were tired after just finishing your waitress duties. Shaking … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Caregiving, Reflection, Support Group Leader, What's New? Tagged With: Alzheimer's disease, Articles - Read, asthma, Canada, care-giving, Caregiving, chemicals, children with chronic conditions, children with illness, Cookie, fragrance free, Home, kids in the hospital, mcs, Mental Health, parenting a special needs child, Perfume Free, when is it time to find a new doctor