Conversation Circles for Unaffiliated Chaplains

The Chaplaincy Innovation Lab (CIL), in collaboration with the Fetzer Institute, will host a conversation circle cohort for chaplains unaffiliated with a religious or spiritual tradition beginning late 2024. The program is part of our commitment to honor and support the work of all chaplains.

Conversation circles provide a venue for connection, conversation, and emotional and spiritual processing for unaffiliated (sometimes called “spiritual but not religious,” or other terms) chaplains across the United States. Chaplains from all sectors are welcome to join in a conversation led by paired facilitators over a series of bi-monthly, 90 minute sessions on Zoom for a period of several months. Interested chaplains should apply here.

Facilitators

BERNING Joel

Joel Berning is Director of Spiritual Care at New York – Presbyterian, where he has been a chaplain since 2010. He is responsible for spiritual care at NYP/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NYP Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, NYP Allen Hospital, NYP Westchester, and NYP Hudson Valley Hospital. His undergraduate degree is from Pomona College, his M.Div. is from Union Theological Seminary, his board certification is by the Association of Professional Chaplains, and he is a Certified Educator of ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education. His research focuses on overcoming communication barriers to spiritual care.

Photo of Jason Callahan, advisor for the Spiritual But Not Religious Project

Jason S. Callahan serves as an instructor in the Department of Patient Counseling, College of Health Professions, and as a chaplain for the Thomas Palliative Care Unit in VCU Massey Cancer Center. There, he provides pastoral care to patients, families and staff.

He holds an M.S. in Patient Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University.  He is a Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains and is endorsed by The Humanist Society.  Prior to VCU, Jason worked as an advertising executive and as a counselor for individuals and families in crisis.  Recently Jason was featured on Interfaith Voices, the nation’s leading religion news magazine on public radio in a segment called “Humanizing Pastoral Care,” which was a part of an hour-long broadcast: “Chaplains Part IV:  Humanism at Harvard.

ROTHEMICH Lynn 400sq

Lynn Rothemich is an experienced board certified Humanist Chaplain with a Master of Divinity, Lynn is an Interfaith Chaplain successful in effectuating spiritual care in trauma, emergency medicine, hospice/palliative care and behavioral health. Lynn is also effective in providing solace to patients and staff in life’s crisis situations, as well as helping to ensure self determination while providing emotional and spiritual support to team members and terminally ill patients and their families. Lynn is adept at nondenominational services/rituals and purposeful in spiritual assessments with exceptional communication skills with patients and families. Collaborative problem solving, interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to see opportunity in the unexpected are among Lynn’s many talents.

Registration questions may be directed to Michael Skaggs, Lab Director of Programs, at michael@chaplaincyinnovation.org.