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Compassionate Staff Chaplain with a background in CPE and interfaith care. Specialized in providing a non-anxious presence for older adults in assisted living and memory care, supplemented by contingent acute care experience in hospital environments. Expert in facilitating meaning-making for patients across the continuum of care Deeply committed to non-judgmental support for all faith traditions and secular worldviews.

Job Experience

Trinity Health Michigan—Chelsea Hospital                         2024-Present                Contingent Chaplain

---Conduct daily floor visits across acute care and rehabilitation units, establishing a supportive pastoral presence and building rapport with long-term recovery patients.

---Identify and address spiritual distress, anxiety, and hope in patients navigating the transition from hospital to home or long-term care.

---Support patients in the Inpatient Rehabilitation unit by fostering resilience and meaning-making during physical recovery and changes in mobility or independence.

---Deliver inclusive spiritual care that honors diverse religious traditions and secular worldviews, facilitating rituals, sacraments, and prayers as requested by patients and families.

Staff Support: Offer emotional support and a "safe harbor" for hospital colleagues to help mitigate compassion fatigue.

Brio Living Services—Chelsea Retirement Community       2022 to Present           Staff Chaplain

---Development of meaningful pastoral relationships and network within the CRC inter-faith community; through visiting regularly with residents, family members, and staff.

---Provide regular spiritual care to residents, family members, and staff with the ability to increase this care during periods of crisis, death and dying, grief and loss.

---Assist residents in palliative and hospice care to meet their needs, carry out their desires, and preserve their dignity through pastoral care and presence.

---Oversees and ensures provision of regular and special worship opportunities; Faith-based discussion groups, Elder Care, and congregational ecumenical worship services for residents in Independent Living, Rehab, Assisted Living and Memory Care.

---Meet with residents and families to plan and provide meaningful and personal funerals and

memorial services.     

---Perform or facilitate rites of residents to meet the ritual and sacramental needs of individuals within all faith traditions.

---Plan and implement All Saints Memorial Service, remembering all the residents who have died during the year on All Saints’ Day.

First Congregational Church of Chelsea                                 2021                                Community Care Coordinator                             

--- Provided pastoral care through leadership change. Supported the church’s online presence through online sermons, weekly email communications, Zoom prayer groups, and other virtual avenues.

---Supported Parables Ministry in its mission to be inclusive of all abilities and backgrounds.

---Researched, planned, coordinated, hosted, and led community enrichment activities, educational series, retreats, studies, meditations, and other in-person and virtual community-building activities.

---Coordinated the use of Zoom for community meetings, Bible studies, and book clubs.

 First Congregational Church of Chelsea                                2020-2022                       Children and Families Minister

---Organized yearlong schedule and curriculum, adapted, prepared, and taught lessons to children (0-16) in a variety of modes (i.e., online, Zoom, outdoors, and in-building).

---Provided support and maintained personal connections with children and families, helped children and families increase involvement in the church, community, and world.

---Planned and coordinated with the church’s pastor and council, children-driven ideas for outreach and mission within the community and world.  

Chelsea Early Childhood Center                                                2016-2023                       First Steps Program Coordinator  

---Re-energized and developed programming to engage families in learning opportunities.

---Used enhanced marketing to increase participation in programming.

---Maintained an environment of welcome, fun, and play-filled learning for caregivers and children.---Organized yearlong schedule and curriculum, adapted, prepared, and taught families in a variety of modes (i.e., online, Zoom, outdoors, and in-building).

---Provided support and maintained personal connections with families, helped families connect with each other, the school, and the community.

Elementary and  Middle School Educator                              2005-2020                        Montana, Alaska, Michigan Schools

                       

Education and Certification

 

Master of Divinity with                                                                May 2026                        Central Seminary                                                   ATS and Professional Chaplain Certificate                                                                        Higher Learning Commission Accredited

 

Clinical Pastor Education                                                            Spring 2024                     Chelsea Hospital                                                                                                                                                                                                             ACPE Accredited

 

Lay Minister Standing UCC                                                         2021 to Present             United Church of Christ

 

University of Montana                                                                 2005                                 Bachelor of Arts in Education

Because of Elisabeth’s openness to listening for God’s presence and goodness in the difficult places within human relationship, she inherently has found ways to deepen the work of continuing testament. In times of church conflict, when many would react with understandable anger towards those misusing their authority and power, Elisabeth has been a mediating forcefield of integrity and restraint. She thoughtfully uses her intuitive skills interpersonally to navigate minefields, all the while continuing to hold her heart open with extravagant welcome which changes people’s perception of the Church for the better.

--Rev. LeAnn Seto (she/her), LLMSW; Parables: All-Abilities Inclusion Worship Coordinator, Chelsea First United Methodist Church