Pastoral Services

[Grandma-RN]

Is this service utilized where you work? The last LTC I worked was in the process of doing this with the director on site everday and PRN staff to cover.

What are your thoughts?

[cougarnurse]

Some places have different denominations/churches come in every weekend. The Catholic owned places have every weekend, if not every day. Then again, the places with 'retired' nuns have every day Mass.

I would say it depends on your clientele. How religious were they, or how religious are they now?

[cougarnurse]

Grandma, I thought you'd like to read this article: http://www.eagletribune.com/local/x1...home-residents

Like Samuel, God called James Madison Dodson three times to serve him and his people. And like the Old Testament prophet, Dodson responded on the third call.

Dodson, 77, of North Andover, conducts services at 12 rest homes in Greater Lawrence as nursing home chaplain for Communities Together, the area's council of churches.

Dodson said he was always active in the United Methodist Church and could not decide between the ministry or international relations. He chose the latter.

But after years of studying psychological warfare for the U.S. Army in Vietnam, writing documents about Naval psychological warfare, and working for a Navy counterinsurgency research office, he answered what he believes to be God's call.

"I received three 'calls' to the ministry — the ethical impingements of the Vietnam War on me were decisive," he said. "My research and my firm involvement in Vietnam studies caused me to reassess my values."

Dodson was ordained a minister in the United Methodist Church in 1970.

Dave Edwards, executive director of Communities Together, said having a nursing home chaplain is important.

"It has the same impact that hospital chaplains have," Edwards said. "There's a connection between spiritual care and healing."

Edwards said many nursing home residents were churchgoers.

"They have a history of faith and that's lost to them. Having a chaplain who leads services is a continuation of that part of their live and makes them feel like they're no longer separated from their church."

The half-hour liturgies feature church hymns, gospel readings, a simple talk and Communion.
"It's a wonderful ministry," said Dodson. "My goal is to emphasize a message that's uplifting and try to increase their sense of self-worth."

Depending on the schedule, he leads two to three services per week, sometimes five at Methuen Health, Nevins Home, Nevins Adult Day Care and Halcion Home, all of Methuen; the Meadows, Ashland Farm and Sutton Hill, all in North Andover; and Colonial Sunbridge and the MI Nursing and Restorative Center, both in Lawrence.

Some nursing homes have religious artifacts that Dodson uses during the worship services. Other times, he brings his own Bible, crucifix, flameless candle and communion plate for the liturgy.

"You have to connect on their terms," Dodson said. "They like individual blessings, getting that human touch and knowing that they are always safe in God's hands.

"Conducting the services strengthen my faith too. In the course of the worship service, God's message resonates with me as well, and people respond to the fact that God loves them."

Dodson also identifies with many of the people he ministers to.

"I laugh with them because I'm feeling a little arthritis on my hands and knees too," he said.

Dodson has a bachelor's degree in international relations from Hobart College in Geneva, N.Y., a master's in international relations from Georgetown University, and a master of divinity from Andover-Newton Theological School in Newton.

Dodson said he first thought of becoming a minister when he was an active member and preached to the youth at The First Methodist Church of Summit, N.J. The second time was in the Marine Corps at Parris Island, S.C.

In addition to Communities Together, he serves as chaplain at Brookhaven Hospice in Framingham, providing pastoral care for hospice patients alongside health care professionals.