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"Elizabeth has made so many people feel wholly seen, heard and worthy through her ministry." “When my daughter was facing a health crisis, I received the benefit of the strength of Elizabeth’s pastoral care skills. Her genuine compassion, sympathy, and honesty lightened my burden and gave me the chance to breathe. The gift of her time and attention gave me the strength to provide support to the rest of my family during a stressful time.” |
pastoral care
During Clinical Pastoral Education, I was blessed to be working in the hospital with the best Labor and Delivery unit in the city. The regularity of emergency calls to both Labor and Delivery and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was daunting, but I found a calling in that work. In the messiness of birth, the deep sorrow of a tiny life lost, and the waters of blessing I found that I felt present and connected to the holy. It was an honor to walk with those families through some of life’s most tumultuous moments.
The metaphor that best describes how I approach my pastoral care is that of a midwife. I cannot take away anyone’s pain or fix anyone’s problems. What I can do is be there with them to help them breath through the pain. I can create a place where people feel safe sharing what is going on within them, as telling our stories can bring great healing. We are all working to become our best selves in our spiritual journeys. This process can be like a rebirth.
Having had my four babies with the attendance of a midwife this metaphor feels even more apt. My midwife would often correct me whenever I accidentally gave her any credit for my births. She made sure that I said "I delivered my baby with the assitance of a midwife" rather than "My midwife delivered my baby." I am grateful to be able to assist people in whatever ways I can in this process.
My style is to listen carefully and with compassion, ask open ended questions and companion people on their journeys. I try to help people find their own strength and the answers that are within them. Knowing my limits in this work and believing very much in the therapeutic process, I refer people to professional therapists whenever appropriate.
Uncertainty, loss and suffering are woven into the fabric of life. To cling to what we think is certain does more harm than good. Letting go is essential to our growth. We will all lose parts of ourselves and people we love. There will be struggle and hardship in all of our lives. We all find ourselves in need of help from time to time.
Ministry is about companioning people through the twists and turns of their lives. More powerful than any words, we offer our presence to those who are struggling. I genuinely care about people, what feeds them and what tears them apart. I openly share my stories of sorrow, pain, resilience and hope. I find this opens others to telling their stories.
The metaphor that best describes how I approach my pastoral care is that of a midwife. I cannot take away anyone’s pain or fix anyone’s problems. What I can do is be there with them to help them breath through the pain. I can create a place where people feel safe sharing what is going on within them, as telling our stories can bring great healing. We are all working to become our best selves in our spiritual journeys. This process can be like a rebirth.
Having had my four babies with the attendance of a midwife this metaphor feels even more apt. My midwife would often correct me whenever I accidentally gave her any credit for my births. She made sure that I said "I delivered my baby with the assitance of a midwife" rather than "My midwife delivered my baby." I am grateful to be able to assist people in whatever ways I can in this process.
My style is to listen carefully and with compassion, ask open ended questions and companion people on their journeys. I try to help people find their own strength and the answers that are within them. Knowing my limits in this work and believing very much in the therapeutic process, I refer people to professional therapists whenever appropriate.
Uncertainty, loss and suffering are woven into the fabric of life. To cling to what we think is certain does more harm than good. Letting go is essential to our growth. We will all lose parts of ourselves and people we love. There will be struggle and hardship in all of our lives. We all find ourselves in need of help from time to time.
Ministry is about companioning people through the twists and turns of their lives. More powerful than any words, we offer our presence to those who are struggling. I genuinely care about people, what feeds them and what tears them apart. I openly share my stories of sorrow, pain, resilience and hope. I find this opens others to telling their stories.