Introduction to the Annual Report from Lab Director of Programs Michael Skaggs
Dear Colleagues,
What a year it’s been!
I am continually amazed by all the work you are doing, too often unsung, to help so many people. The Lab is truly fortunate to count you in its community. The fiscal year ending July 31, 2024, was full of activity. I am delighted to provide you with this brief report.
As of September 1, we at the Lab have joined our colleagues at Sacred Design Lab, a project of Tides Center, which now serves as our fiscal sponsor. This shift will give us new and expansive capacity to serve each of you, as well as to engage in new types of work. We are excited to launch a new and community-supported model for the Lab. This will allow us to be more directly responsive – and responsible – to the community that participates in and benefits from Lab programs and services.
The outpouring of support that came in the wake of our announcement about this change was, in a word, humbling. It is wonderful that so many of you, your employers, and your professional networks have stepped forward to support the Lab. In turn, we pledge to support each and every one of our subscribers and partners to the best of our abilities. (More information about how you can participate is available at chaplaincyinnovation.org/about/subscription.)
On July 1, CIL founder Wendy Cadge assumed the presidency of Bryn Mawr College. From her new position, President Cadge will continue to direct research projects in spiritual care. I will lead CIL participant-facing programs and services, making sure that the community always has access to the pathbreaking research and analysis conducted by Wendy’s stellar research team.
Below, I am pleased to report to you on last year’s highlights. In the past year, we have significantly advanced several key themes in our work, including our Strategic Vision for Spiritual Care; better articulating the role of chaplains in American society; calling sustained attention to spiritual care by and for the religiously/spiritually unaffiliated; placements in spiritual care education and leadership; support, networking, and outreach for individual chaplains; and exciting collaboration with several mission-aligned organizations. Here’s to another year of practical innovation in spiritual care!
Yours,
Michael Skaggs