BrandeisNOW: Undergraduate supporting chaplains
From Julian Cardillo at BrandeisNOW:
There’s nothing like a life-and-death pandemic to give new meaning to one’s studies and interests.
Simona Shuman ’22, a sociology major, is working with professor Wendy Cadge on the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab (CIL), a venture Cadge started in 2018 to support research and teaching about spiritual care in a range of settings.
CIL is hosting weekly webinars and academic panels for chaplains on the pandemic’s front lines, and Shuman helps manage the lab’s social media channels, which have been buzzing with questions, comments and well-wishes from chaplains around the world.
“At first, I felt like my job with CIL was just something nice to do, but coronavirus has changed my point of view,” said Shuman, who is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. “When I see the messages we receive on Facebook and Twitter from chaplains who need help or are just reaching out to say thank you, I see what an impact our work truly makes.”
“Chaplains are present for others in a special way,” Shuman added. “They’re seeking out our lab’s material, which gives them new perspectives on helping others deal with death. I think my contributions have been more important during the past few weeks.”
Read more here.