Training for Lay Chaplains at Bishop Anderson House

I am unbelievably behind in my blogging!

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Bishop Anderson House in Chicago at the kind invitation of The Rev. James (Jay) Risk, their executive director. Jay approached me at the Association of Professional Chaplains’ Assembly of Episcopal Healthcare Chaplains’ banquet with the suggestion that I come take a look at what they are doing in the chaplaincy training effort.

A well-designed program for lay folks extending over 11 weeks each spring, the students are treated to a host of experts who offer for two hours each Wednesday evening didactic material ranging from psychiatric diagnostics to aging. In addition, students are paired with a field site and a field supervisor. The learning contracts for these sites are as clear, concise and constructive as could be—impressive.

I met with an outstanding array of people involved, beginning with the psychiatrist who offers in the program a thumbnail sketch of diagnostic categories, and ending with one student and her field supervisor. The latter was none other than Belinda Chandler, a member of the original steering committee for this project. It was wonderful to finally have a chance to talk with Belinda in person. Asking directions to her office at the hospital, the information clerk noted, “Nice person, Belinda Chandler!”

Not only nice, Belinda reflectively registered some of the trickier issues of employing lay folks trained in such a venue. Not the least of these is the legal issues of what lay folks can and cannot do. I was impressed with the dedication Belinda has demonstrated in making wise use of the human resources cultivated through the Bishop Anderson House training program. One of these uses is in helpful data gathering on who needs a visit by the professional chaplain.

At the risk of getting ahead of ourselves, Jay and I mused over the prospect of involving Seabury in extending the program of Bishop Anderson House in line with the hopes and aims of this project. Watch this space for news of developments along these lines and others.

In the meantime, please know of my admiration and respect for the job Jay is doing with the program there now.

Thanks, Jay, for your congenial hosting of a lovely and informative day.


Gratefully submitted,
Maggie Izutsu