Spiritual Care Week 2024
Celebrate with us!
It’s Spiritual Care Week 2024!
This week, more than any other, is about celebrating the work that you, our community, do day in and day out in your roles — which often, in the words of the Spiritual Care Week’s organizers, go “beyond religious roles.”
We’re celebrating the week in a few different ways:
First, if you aren’t already subscribed to the Lab, all new, individual subscriptions during Spiritual Care Week will receive 10% off their first year! Does your organization subscribe to the Lab? If not, let them know you’d like to join! Organizational rates are available.
Second, everyone who subscribes during Spiritual Care Week will be entered to win one of five free year-long subscriptions at the Innovator Level!
Third, we want you to get to know us in the Lab. We’ll update this page throughout the week with a profile of a CIL team member so you can hear their story, how they ended up on the team, and what the love about the profession of spiritual care.
Today’s team member profiles:
Grace Last is the Lab’s Associate Director for Operations, Administration, and Budget:
“Wendy brought me onto the team as the Department Coordinator in August 2021, which is when I first became familiar with the Lab.
I was surprised to discover just how widely interpretations of a chaplain’s role can vary. It’s clear that more awareness is needed about the significance of their work and the importance of fair compensation for what they do.
I really like the people I work with and appreciate how efficient the team is. When chaotic moments hit, it reminds me of The Bear—I can just say “let it rip,” knowing we’ve got it handled, no matter what. It’s that sense of trust and teamwork that makes all the difference.”
Amy Lawton is the Lab’s Research Manager:
“I was in graduate school studying the sociology of religion when the Lab first opened, and everyone in my field heard about it! It was a big deal!
The amazing thing about working with chaplains is that they are so relational, so even though I’m a researcher (not a spiritual caregiver and not a spiritual care-seeker), I feel like I am treated with unconditional positive regard.
My favorite part of the Lab is the team. Some of this work is quite difficult and we couldn’t do it without the best possible team.”
Yi He is the Lab’s Assistant to the Director of Programs:
“I learned about the Lab through Brandeis University.
I am surprised by how easygoing and cheerful everyone is. I’m sure that chaplains, spiritual care providers, and other people engaging with the Lab do a lot of hard work and engage with contentious issues, but I have found everyone I have corresponded with to be friendly and collegial. I also didn’t realize how there is an extensive network of spiritual care providers and a lot of collective interest in how to improve and provide the best spiritual care possible.
I like to be in the know about all of the events going on at the Lab or related spiritual care events in general (I know about them through helping to put together the newsletter). Even though I’m really only an administrative assistant and have little prior knowledge of this area, I really enjoy knowing about all of the events going on in this buzzing area.”
Steve Dahl is the Lab’s Marketing Consultant:
“My good friend and former boss at the CSU Institute for Palliative Care, Helen McNeal, referred me to the Lab. As marketing director at the Institute I had a lot of relevant experience to bring to the marketing tasks for the Lab. It’s been a great fit!
I have been surprised by the number of chaplains who are hungry and receptive to all that the Lab offers. There is a lot of information out there but the Lab seems to have been able to bring so many resources together to reach and help a lot of hard working, dedicated chaplains who want to be even more effective than they already are at fulfilling their missions!
I appreciate how the people at the Lab are so inclusive and non-judgmental about everyone they serve. They continue to demonstrate a dedication to improving all that they offer as they connect chaplains with their quality content. And they are a joy to work with in the process!”