National Clergy Appreciation Month 2024: Lessons Learned from Residents and Patients

“The hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” – Philemon 1:7

October marks the month when Christians celebrate clergy and thank God for them as they serve with a willing heart, a joyful spirit and continued faithfulness. Concordia Lutheran Ministries was founded by a group of pastors in 1881, so we appreciate the difference our chaplaincy group makes in the lives of our residents and patients. This year, however, our approach reverses the circumstances and ask our chaplains and deaconesses “What have you learned from the residents and patients at Concordia that has enriched your own faith journey?”

Spiritual Endurance

“Quite a bit,” chuckled Rev. Jack Hartman, director of chaplaincy services. After 27 years at Concordia, one lesson he has learned is “grace under stress.” One man, he remembers, was the perfect example during the 2006 fire that claimed the original Concordia Haven I apartment building.

“He lost everything, and his response was simple,” Rev. Hartman said. “He told me, ‘That’s just stuff. I spent 30 days on Iwo Jima. I survived the fire of war.’ Coincidentally, the only things saved were his medals.”

Rev. Lee Genter, the newest chaplain on Concordia’s team, listed his biggest takeaway from our residents as “learned resilience over time is essential to thriving through trials in the present.”

Rev. Hartman also noted “perseverance through harder times than you could imagine.” He explained how a resident in Concordia at Cabot’s Oertel Care Center held a deep love of Christmas even though she told him, “All we got was an orange and a penny that I shined on the carpet. It was about Christ’s birth, not the presents. I got to spend time with family.”

“You throw lemons at them, they will make lemonade,” Rev. Hartman said. “That’s why they are called ‘the greatest generation, a living testimony of their faith and this country.”

“I visit many residents in skilled nursing and come away amazed at their attitudes,” said Rev. Duane Voorman. “They are vivacious in their faith despite their frailty. They are faithful to Him and feel blessed. I first ask them, ‘So how are you doing with God?’ Without hesitation, they answer that they talk to Him every day. They aren’t mad at Him for their condition. I remember a woman who was dying but said she is still alive in Christ.”

Rev. Brian Lott, spiritual care supervisor for Concordia Visiting Nurses, noted, “You might call it ‘character.’ It has been said that character is what you do for people who can do nothing in return for you, but I would argue that the patients we serve bless us in many ways.”

Rev. Adam Salinas, Concordia’s youngest chaplain who joined the team in 2022, added to the sentiment: “The resident’s faith, perseverance and love for Christ has reminded me time and again that no matter what we face in life, Jesus Christ remains our firm foundation, our hope, our life and our salvation.”

Building Up Each Other’s Faith

In addition to perseverance, character, resilience and grace under stress, several of our chaplaincy group noted the effect on their faith.

“My faith has been strengthened by the faith of the residents of Concordia,” said Deaconess Zoë Huelsman, who was installed early in 2024. “It is a deep encouragement to hear them bear witness to the faithfulness of God. Our brothers and sisters in Christ here catalog the many mornings of mercies throughout their lifetime. It is a gift to hear and be reminded of God’s faithfulness to His saints across generations.”

The same sentiment was repeated by Deaconess Pam Voorman: “God’s Word is always new. To see the light come on when you pray with them or talk to them is very exciting as we both rediscover our faith together.”

A couple of qualities dominated the answers among the six clergymen and four deaconesses.

“One is gratitude,” said Rev. Brian. “When I see someone who is lonely or struggling with their health, I appreciate the family and health that the Lord has given to me.”

Rev. Genter agreed. “Gratitude for little things is always essential for personal happiness,” he noted.

They also listed compassion for when they care for these precious people, it is love in action and forgiveness, a gift that pays dividends through all of life.

“One thing I have learned from them is contentment,” said Haley Randolph, deaconess intern. “Many of them are going through dramatic life changes, feeling lonely and are frustrated with their aching body. And yet, they are confident and assured that God is caring for them, and they need not worry about the future. They can still smile, even amidst their heartache, as they hear God’s Word and the promises within it.”

“The way these individuals cling to Jesus Christ’s promises in the face of hardship has deepened my understanding of God’s steadfast love and compassionate care,” said Rev. Salinas. “The residents trust in God’s love for them, even when their own strength fades. “They have shared stories of God’s faithfulness, even when life does not go the way we had planned. Their wisdom, gathered over years of walking with the Lord reveals a deep sense of peace and trust that comes from a life lived in faith. This inspires me to grow in my own patience and to trust in God’s timing and plan for me in my life, knowing that He holds all things in His hands,” he explained.

Finding Connection

Rather than describing an attribute, Deaconess Heather Wathall discussed a mutual need that she has experienced during her 10 years of service.

“When they are willing to be honest, most residents and patients admit to loneliness,” she said. “The same is true for most of us in our technologically-advanced, ‘over-appointmented’ lives. More and more, we’re missing genuine connection, too.”

She described a recent Bible Study of the opening words of Psalm 95, “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord . . .”

“The words evoked a conversation of remembering – gathering around the piano for songs and hymns after dinner, conversations you could only have while washing and drying dishes with that trusted someone,” she explained.

Rev. Salinas, on the other hand, finds that residents remind him that he is never alone in this life and that God is always with him to comfort and give peace.

“One lesson the Church learned from COVID was the value of gathering together,” continued Deaconess Heather, citing Genesis 2:18, “It is not good that the man should be alone…”

“Just because our situations are less than ideal does not mean that we have to be lonely or sad,” she said. “A person newly admitted to personal care or skilled nursing has a choice. Either they obsess about what they are missing (home, driving, gardening, etc.), or they learn to grieve the loss and turn toward our Good Shepherd and Redeemer. ‘Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him saved him out of all his troubles… Psalm 34:5-6.”

“In our work we see it every day,” she continued. “There are those who cannot see beyond their loss and pain. Then, there are those who have learned the Psalm 121 way of life and shout with the rest of the Body of Christ, ‘I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?… The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.’”

Giving and Accepting Blessings

However, according to Rev. Roger Nuerge, most everyone wants and needs a blessing.

“Not everyone will accept a prayer,” he said, “but most everyone accepts a blessing.”

He cites the Old Testament blessing that God gave Moses to bless the ancient people of Israel in Deuteronomy – “May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

“Blessings like this have enriched my faith journey because they have opened doors of opportunity to connect people and their needs with the blessings that God has given with his own words and promises,” he said.

He came to Concordia in 2009 with over 30 years of parish pastoral ministry, having served two of Concordia’s member congregations, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Kensington, Pa., and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Freedom, Pa.

Pastor Salinas abounds with the many teachings residents have given to him.

“Residents have taught me how to be a better listener and caregiver in sharing the love and peace of Jesus Christ with them,” he said. “I have often witnessed residents and patients caring for one another, even when they themselves are physically or emotionally drained. They tell me that they pray for me, and they encourage me to continue to live a life of service in faith in Christ. They make me laugh and smile, they encourage me and they uplift me with their presence and give me joy and gladness.”

This month, we recognize our chaplaincy team and thank them for sharing the Lord’s love with our residents, patients and staff each day. To learn more about Concordia, visit the About Us section of our website. You can also message us through our contact form or call our administrative headquarters at 724-352-1571.

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Founded in 1881, Concordia Lutheran Ministries is a faith-based, CARF-accredited Aging Services Network and recipient of the inaugural Pennsylvania Department of Aging Excellence in Quality Care Award. As one of the largest nonprofit senior care providers in the country, the organization serves 50,000 people annually through in-home care and inpatient locations.