Ministries Special Offerings Lutheran Chaplaincy Outreach

Lutheran Chaplaincy Outreach

Message from Rev. Cindy Breed from June 2008 LCO newsletter:

The Stewardship of Partnership - The ministry of Lutheran Chaplaincy Outreach at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is a partnership, a collaboration between many, many members: the LCO chaplain (me); ELCA pastors, health ministers, members, organizations, and congregations from around Iowa and beyond; hospital staff; LCO Board, Resource Development and Mutual Ministry Committees; and, of course, patients, their families and friends. This partnership, with each member doing their part, is vital to providing excellent and comprehensive pastoral care at UIHC.

As in any collaboration, each member needs to play their own role. I, as the LCO Chaplain, can identify Lutheran patients via the hospital computer. And the pastor (who was told about the hospitalization from the patient) can inform me when a member of their congregation is here as, likewise, I can inform the pastor (with permission) that one of their parishioners is receiving care at UIHC. Hospital staff can contact a chaplain if needed. And other chaplains in the Spiritual Care Department can minister to Lutherans when I am not available — just as I provide care to non-Lutherans as needed.

Stewardship is an important part of any partnership. Each member plays their own role but has limited time, energy, and finances. It is important for members to rely on each other—especially in organizations, like LCO, that depend solely on financial contributions and volunteers in order to provide their services.