Strengthening Inter- and Intra-Personal Assets

 

Stained glass in The All Season's Chapel at CRC

"The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers."

-- Thich Nhat Hanh

"Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair."

—Luke 7:44

 

1. Developing and maintaining a healthy sense of self as shaped by God, community, and life experiences.

 

I remember my first prayer. I was no more than 2 or 3 years old. My family had finished our evening devotional, Keys for Kids, and were saying bedtime prayers. My mom suggested I was old enough to join in, but I wasn’t sure what to pray. She suggested I tell God something I was grateful for.

“Dear God, thank you for the trees.”

When life seems bleak, and I’m at a loss for words, I pray:

“Dear God, thank you for the trees.”

Trees grow toward the Light. They grow in forest communities, giving shade, shelter, oxygen, and even wood. They remind me of who I am, who God is, and how—when all else fails—to root into gratitude.

 

Me at age 4

  • Psalm Writing

In 2020, I participated in a multi-week psalm writing class with Dwight Wilson, author of multiple volumes, including Modern Psalms: In Search of Peace and Justice.

In a forum, I wrote:

“As I read Mr. Wilson’s descriptions and Psalms, I realized I have prayed Psalms (without knowing it) most of my life! What a fun realization!

I also often draw my prayer/thought/emotion/spiritual movement. I do this as a response to or as a catalyst for what I now know to call the Psalms rising inside of me. In fact, I more frequently draw and allow it to hold my unwritten Psalm. So, I thought it might be fun to share the art that connects with the Psalms I’m writing:

 

Ps 1

Spirit Within me and around me,

Seen and unseen.

You are Love, Light and Beauty.

Ps 2

Spirit of All,

Wrap us in Love,

Infuse us with the warmth of Light,

That we may share in creating Beauty.

Beauty within and around us,

Seen and unseen, Full of Love.

May it flow through us and shine from us

Warming the people around us

And revealing your Light

In All

Psalm to the Creator—the Great Weaver

 

You have a plan. It’s not a human plan.

It does not take me from point A to point B.

Your plan is to create Beauty.

Your plan is to take each strand of my life,

my decisions, desires, mistakes, talents,

 interests, failures, and shortcomings, and

 weave them together into one beautiful creation: me!

May I offer you the best I have, not providing threads of my choosing

but obediently presenting to you that which you ask for.

Not judging, because colors are not “pretty” or “ugly”

they are just colors.

Your plan is to weave ALL parts of me into something beautiful.

Something that brings beauty into the world and gives viewers of the ‘art piece’ a sense of Light and Love within themselves.

And so, all things work together for good.

“Chaplain Elisabeth is wise beyond her years. She listens intently and seems to understand even the things that aren’t said. She’s a gem.”

--Karen S., Resident, Chelsea Retirement Community

2. Living in relationships of covenantal accountability with God and the Church.

  • Member of Three Lakes Community Bible Church and School, here my entire extended family of origin and I were involved in outreach and covenantal community.
  • Rocky Mountain Bible Mission
  • Photo: Ministry Collage of my family of origin, who, believing each person is called to covenantal service to others, participated in camp ministry throughout my middle and high school summers. My father was the best camp cook you’ll ever find! My mom let her creativity flow through Bible studies and helping run Creation Station (craft house). As soon as I was old enough, I became a camp counselor.
  • Photo: Serving lunch with my sister and grandparents. Each summer of my childhood, my grandparents would take my sisters, cousin, and me on a two-week vacation that often included some form of mission or service work.
  • Member and participant in the Covenant Association, MI Conference, UCC
  • Member and Minister of First Congregational Church of Chelsea
  • Member of Webster UCC
  • Member of CRC Spiritual Life Team

3. Exhibiting strong moral character and personal integrity.

As a chaplain, I demonstrate moral character and integrity through the consistent ethical application of spiritual care, including:

  • Treating every individual with respect and compassion.
  • Ensuring fairness and inclusiveness.
  • Utilizing open communication.
  • Owning mistakes and working quickly and effectively to correct them.
  • Managing sensitive patient and family information, maintaining strict confidentiality in alignment with HIPAA regulations.
  • Handling all aspects of care and end-of-life decision-making with discretion and sensitivity, ensuring private matters remain confidential.
  • Guiding individuals and families through difficult decision-making processes with honesty, transparency, and respect for their personal beliefs. Building a reputation as a trustworthy and reliable resource, fostering a climate of trust with my colleagues and those I serve.

 

4. Respecting the dignity of all God’s people

  • As a chaplain, it is my great honor to respect the dignity of all of God’s people—especially those experiencing physical and cognitive decline—by treating every person as a unique individual with inherent worth and self-determination, regardless of their health, beliefs, or circumstances. I provide safe space and emotional support through listening and non-judgmental companionship. I affirm worth, celebrate individuality, provide comfort, and treat the whole person.

5. Understanding and ministering to stages of human development across the life span.

  • Coordinator of First Steps, a 0 to 5-year-old child and caregiver playgroup
  • Children and Families Minister, Chelsea First Congregational Church
  • Sunday School Teacher working in classrooms across age levels
  • College-Level Small Group Studies
  • Women’s Retreat Facilitator and Presenter
  • Adult Small Group and Bible Studies
  • Ministering, as a staff chaplain, to residents living in Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care units
  • Spiritual Care given at the end of life, memorials, and funerals

 

6. Demonstrating excellent communication skills.

    • My varied life experiences have given me skills to effectively and concisely communicate with individuals and groups within all formats. I have had multiple invitations to present publicly both as a writer and speaker.

      As a chaplain, communication skills are imperative. I daily use empathic, active, and reflective listening; mindful and accompanying presence; and am adept at adapting my personal style to meet people in their moments of deepest vulnerability. Unlike a typical conversation, spiritual care focuses on creating a safe, non-judgmental space for spiritual and emotional support.