Spiritual Care During the Pandemic September 6, 2020

At Radiant Care, we are committed to meeting the spiritual needs of our residents and tenants. This never changes. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges but it has not changed our vision, mission, and core values. This pandemic helps us realize just how important it is to live out our theme verses in our work, love, and attitude.

“Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” – Galatians 6:10 The Message Bible

Community is extra important during this time of isolation. While we cannot meet together for our usual large-group Chapel services, Sunday morning services, and bible studies right now, Radiant Care continues to foster a familiar, faith-based, home-like environment in which the spiritual needs of residents and tenants are met through individual visits and calls, one-on-one devotions and Communion, hymn-singing in smaller groups, and Times of Remembrance for residents who pass away.

Our Chaplains continue to practice physical distancing and the protocol of mask-wearing, while providing emotional proximity and a sense of community. Our Chaplains at both homes are living out our values of love, empathy, and faith by initiating intentional one-on-one visits and remaining attentive and responsive to requests for visits from tenants and residents. Our Chaplains continue to evolve their ministry to maintain connections and community throughout this unique time:

1. During this time of pandemic and increased isolation, Jim, our Pleasant Manor Chaplain, is investing extra time into quality visits and one-on-one times of devotion and prayer with each resident living in Long-Term Care since they have become the most isolated during this pandemic. He has also called each tenant multiple times since the pandemic started to have brief ‘phone visits’ that include a time of interaction, scriptural encouragement, and prayer.
2. One of the ways Stephen, our Tabor Manor Lead Chaplain, is helping tenants connect with God is through lunch time devotionals that include scripture, hymn-singing, and relational connection. It’s beautiful to be a part of!
3. We know that this is a difficult and lonely time, so Don, our Tabor Manor Chaplain, is expressing love and empathy to our residents by spending extra one-on-one time with each resident listening, praying, and being understanding and sensitive to their needs and feelings.

While our Chaplains lead the spiritual ministry in our homes, they are not the only ones involved. Each one of our staff enhances the sense of community at our homes and helps meet the emotional and spiritual needs of our residents and tenants by providing love, warmth, and support through their daily interactions, especially during this unusual time. Our staff love the people they serve and it is so evident!

Every resident and tenant who becomes a member of the Radiant Care community is loved and valued. When one of our Long-Term Care residents passes away, we honour them with a Time of Remembrance in which we gather before a meal to share memories of the resident, grieve, and pray together. These practices honour and respect those we have come to know as good friends and they strengthen our community, as we support and comfort each other through difficult times. We love our residents and tenants, and we miss them when they leave!

We are so grateful to have a team of Chaplains and staff who work together to love and serve our community!