New Research on Unaffiliated Chaplains
The Chaplaincy Innovation Lab (CIL) is collaborating with the Fetzer Institute to support and build networks of spiritual care providers who do not identify with a religious tradition or identify as non-religious (sometimes referred to as “spiritual but not religious”).
This work brings together chaplains and scholars from diverse spiritualities, racial and ethnic backgrounds, geographies, and sectors of chaplaincy. It will help identify the needs of this population, which are neither well defined in the literature nor adequately addressed in many settings.
This webinar will present new research on unaffiliated chaplaincy, including a new working paper that will be made available for reading and comment.
We thank Fetzer Institute for their support of this webinar and our larger project on unaffiliated chaplains. Learn more at Fetzer.org.
We’ll be joined by:
Amy Lawton completed her PhD in sociology at the University of Connecticut. Her research interests focus on the potential and paradox of religious pluralism in the United States, the cultural production of the sacred, and meaning-making in both religious and (non)religious belief systems. Her dissertation examined the practice of donor memorial ceremonies, which are memorial services held by medical schools to commemorate and honor whole-body anatomical donors.
Melissa Bennett (she/her) is a storyteller, storylistener, writer, educator,spirit worker, and chaplain. She is a descendant of the Umatilla, Nez Perce, Sac & Fox, and Anishinaabe Nations. Melissahas been reading tarot cards, building altars, channeling spirit, and chatting with the ancestors for over 25 years. In 2012 she earned a Master of Divinity degree along with graduate certificatesin spiritual counselingand theological studies. The following year she completed her chaplain training in forensic mental health specializing in the care of Indigenous people. Melissa has a decade of experience providing spiritual care in higher education settings and approaches her workfrom atrauma informedhealing justicelens. Melissa is the founder of Nnoshé’s House (aka Auntie’s House) where she provides spiritual care tools and mentorship to a diverse client base.
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.”
Michael Skaggs is Director of Programs and a co-founder of the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab. He directs the Lab’s education, professional development, and networking initiatives. He is also the host, producer, and publisher of the Lab’s public-facing work. He sits on the Advisory Committee of Transforming Chaplaincy and the Advisory Board of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Journal.
