FEATURED PROFILE: James A. Weathersby M.Div., BCC
By Helen McNeal, Senior Advisor to the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab
Many have met Zen Buddhists. But have you ever met a Zen Baptist?
If not, then you’ve not had the pleasure of meeting the Reverend James Weathersby. In this one phrase, he perfectly encapsulates himself and his approach to caring for patients and staff at the Riverview Psychiatric Hospital in Augusta, Maine.
“My role is to listen and to be present. My goal is to understand (and help the patients and staff understand) that each patient is a good person and that their behavior is not an indicator of who they are in their heart.
I want them to know that they are cared for and loved, and that they are more than their behavior.”
These words may seem to conflict with the popular image of a fifth-generation Baptist minister, but they are the embodiment of James’s work today and the reflection of a career caring for those others might find challenging. While at Southern Baptist Theological School in Louisville, Kentucky, he began working as a student assistant at a nearby prison and found himself drawn to the work.
He continued working in the prison after completing his Master’s in Pastoral Care and Counseling and being ordained in the Baptist Church.
His journey next took him to the Ohio Reformatory for Women, where he was the Death Row chaplain for three years and then to the
Federal Bureau of Prisons in Atlanta. His time in Atlanta brought with it not only a wonderful wife, but also a change of venue for his work.
As part of his intention to become a CPE supervisor, he worked in Oncology and the Emergency Room at Emory University Hospital. Here he again cared for those facing serious and life-threatening challenges. After leaving Atlanta, he became a chaplain with United Hospice of Gainesville, Georgia for four years before coming to Maine 20 years ago.
Taking on New Challenges
Typical of his willingness to take on challenges, James’s first role in Maine was as the first African American pastor of a church on an island where the congregation was all white. While he enjoyed pastoral work, he returned to his calling working with people sometimes forgotten when he joined Riverview 12 years ago.
At Riverview, James not only performs the spiritual care functions typically associated with a chaplain; he also participates in six other activity groups within the facility, including the yoga and gym groups.
This active involvement makes him more accessible to patients and invites them to see him as a respectful, caring human being first and foremost.
In the world of mental health, as in so many other settings, James believes that the greatest need of those he cares for is for someone to walk with them. “It is easy to talk with someone who can accept your questions and doesn’t come with ready answers. Someone who will look for the deeper questions with you and work together with you to find your answers. That and being able to ask good questions is my role.”
Ongoing Accomplishments and New Opportunities
One of James’ proudest accomplishments occurred this past year with the celebration of Eid-al-Ftir. Eid-al-Fitr, also called the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. One of the patients had converted to Islam and brought up the idea of celebrating the end of Ramadan at the facility.
Recognizing the opportunity presented, James championed the idea to Riverview leadership and, despite some initial (and vigorous) objections by a small group of Christian staff, was given the support to proceed. As a result, this past year 15 patients came together to celebrate this very special holiday. And it all was made possible by a zen Baptist chaplain!
James is not only the zen Baptist helping patients. He plays an active role assisting staff both as individuals and in their therapeutic role. This becomes clear in the story of a young woman who was admitted to Riverview because she claimed to be Jesus, a scenario that could be off-putting to many who consider themselves religious.
When James met with her, he asked when she knew she was Jesus. She responded, “Three years ago.” When asked what being Jesus meant to her, she responded “Jesus wouldn’t be raped. He was strong and he wouldn’t be beat upon by other people.” The simple act of his presence, a good question and acceptance of how she saw herself led to a breakthrough. Understanding what caused her change was key to starting her on the road to recovery.
When it comes to innovations in support of his work, James illustrates what is possible in any circumstance.
When it comes to innovations in support of his work, James illustrates what is possible in any circumstance. For staff, James personally writes a weekly devotion that is distributed across the facility and seeks out opportunities to support staff individually in both their personal and professional roles.
As Riverview is a state-run facility that supports the entire State of Maine, patients may stay for a long time or may come and go multiple times from the facility. This adds significant dimensions — and opportunities for innovation — to James’ role.
For returning patients, James’ focus on treating them with respect and walking with them in earlier visits provides them with a friendly, trusted face they remember in a once again unsettling time.
Recognizing the importance of both spiritual and social support for those away from access to friends, family and their local clergy, he has organized a group of spiritual care volunteers that provide much needed friendship and socialization.
For those able to return home, James seeks to smooth their return to their home communities by communicating and establishing links with their local clergy or spiritual advisor.
Recognizing that close working relationships with community clergy are vital to providing a form of continuing spiritual support for the patients, he also has developed and hosts training for local clergy on working with patients in a mental health setting.
In addition, he continues to play an active role in the American Baptist Church of Maine and has offered a workshop he has entitled “Prayer in the Workplace.” This program emphasizes his approach of encouraging and respecting others by “listening with each individual for the grain of truth trying to be heard.”
James Weathersby models honoring both his own spiritual roots in the Baptist tradition and the value of incorporating the aspects of other traditions that best address the needs of those he serves.
Operating within a government-run facility, he has made his unique zen Baptist approach a hallmark for caring and for “walking a mile” in the shoes of his patients, the staff of the Riverview Psychiatric Hospital, and the larger Maine community.
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Learn more about this article’s author, Helen McNeal, here.
FREE eBook: Spiritual Care Resources for Religious Holidays
This eBook shares innovative ways that chaplains and other spiritual leaders are finding to celebrate together during this pandemic and beyond.
The Chaplaincy Innovation Lab, with the expert leadership of Dr. Shelly Rambo and Ylisse Cheney Bess, has pulled together this resource guide with ideas for celebrating the holy days of Easter, Passover and Ramadan even when coming together in person isn’t possible.
It also contains resources and ideas for those who are spiritual but not religious.