Spiritual Care Week, which is being celebrated from October 23-29, 2022, is a national effort to recognize those who provide spiritual and pastoral care to others in organizations across the United States. This is particularly important in hospitals, hospices, prisons, jails, police, fire and emergency services departments and faith communities where chaplains and pastors support individuals and families experiencing crisis. Never has their work been more important than in the pandemic. Fletcher Seminary salutes these servant leaders. We thank them for their service and pray for their continued health and well-being.
Spiritual Care Week Observed Since 1985
Spiritual Care Week/Pastoral Care Week is hosted by The COMISS Network: The Network on Ministry in Specialized Settings. The first Pastoral Care Week was held in October 1985. Since then it has grown beyond national to international proportions. This celebration provides an opportunity for chaplains and pastoral care counselors, educators and providers to share their story and to celebrate various ministries. More specifically, the established objectives of the Spiritual Care Week Committee outline the scope of this important observance:
To celebrate the education for and practice of spiritual care through professional chaplaincy and pastoral counseling.
To interpret and promote pastoral care.
To honor and celebrate all practitioners of pastoral care.
To express appreciation to institutions and their staff who support pastoral care ministries.
To publicize the work of pastoral care organizations affiliated with COMISS.
To promote continuing education for clergy, laity, and institutional employees regarding the value of pastoral care.
To learn more visit https://www.spiritualcareweek.
Training Spiritual Caregivers
Fletcher’s Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Master of Divinity degree programs are designed to provide professional level training to spiritual care-giving professionals, whether in a hospital, prison, school, church, hospice agency, or corporate setting.
Fletcher’s Master of Divinity program requires one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in partnership with a CPE training center accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE).
