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Spiritual Support

WE OFFER:

Visits from our chaplain or another member of our Spiritual Care team.  York Hospital’s Spiritual Care team (our chaplain and volunteer clergy members from the area) serves patients, their families and hospital staff members in times of need.  These caring individuals offer expertise in several faith traditions and all share an absolute respect for your personal beliefs and offer a non-judgmental, quiet, listening presence. Please tell your nurse if

  • You would like to speak with a caring person about spiritual matters.
  • You need help contacting your own faith community, or, if you are visiting the area, someone from your own faith tradition.
  • You feel anxious or upset about your care or that of a friend or loved one.

The Loving Kindness Chapel:  This space, designed to provide an oasis of quiet in the center of our busy hospital environment, is available for patient, family and staff use when in need of time for reflection, peace, prayer, meditation or clergy visits.  The room offers comfortable seating, reflective reading materials, and a quiet atmosphere.  It is available for use at any time and is located on the 2nd Floor of the Hancock Wing, near the Breast Care Center.  Look for the “Loving Kindness” sign on the door.

Reiki:  Reiki services are offered for patients free of charge and are provided by our Reiki volunteers. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing of mind, body and spirit.    In addition to deep relaxation, Reiki can promote a reduction in anxiety, muscle tension, and pain, can promote accelerated wound healing, and can promote wellness and a greater sense of well-being. Reiki services are offered through our Wellness program.

Please ask your nurse to contact the chaplain if you’d like a visit.
  For more information or to reach Chaplain June Kapitan or Chaplain Pam Brouker, please call (207) 361-3647.  For information about Reiki, please call Volunteer Services at (207) 351-2224.

For many patients, hospitalization – be it for illness, injury or the birth of a child – involves mental and emotional issues. Often, patients and their families are understandably anxious or apprehensive about what lies ahead.  York Hospital is dedicated to supporting you and your family physically, emotionally and spiritually during your stay. We are here for you in times of difficulty or discouragement, and in times of joy with the celebration of having a baby or a successful surgery.

York Hospital recognizes that healing includes all dimensions of a person’s life. Healing takes many forms. Emotional and spiritual healing can be as powerful as physical cure, bringing with it a new sense of wholeness, acceptance of one’s self and others, and inner peace.

Spiritual care is available to all, whether or not you have religious beliefs.

When you are in the hospital, you may be feeling anxious, angry, sad or any number of emotions. Or, you may be rejoicing at the birth of a child or a successful surgery and wish to celebrate with a blessing or prayer. Times of difficulty and crisis often make people wonder about deep questions of meaning and purpose. A chaplain can give you space to express the feelings you are experiencing or explore your spiritual doubts and longings. Chaplains do not force discussions about God on you. Chaplains provide confidential, compassionate, and nonjudgmental listening. Chaplains can provide information and guidance regarding ethical questions and end –of-life decisions. Chaplains assist patients and families in fostering hope while on their journey – in changing what can be changed, and in coping positively and peacefully with what cannot be changed. Please let us know how we can best serve you. Chaplains can be reached by making a request through your nurse or by dialing 0 for the switchboard operator.

If you want to speak with someone who comes from your own church or faith, you can make that request through the hospital chaplain at x 3647. We will do our best to contact them and arrange a visit..