The Good Shepherd Hospital and Clinic

 “I anoint you with this holy oil and I sign you with the cross, reminding you that you are sealed as Christ’s own forever; and I lay my hands upon you beseeching Him to hold you and fill you with His grace, so you will know the healing power of his love.” For many years I’ve said those words formally during healing services, and I’ve said them spontaneously in some not so formal places and circumstances – the mall, parking lot, golf course and elevators. Many years ago two wonderful people from the Alleluia Community, Bob and Sue Garrett, did a sojourn for a few years at Good Shepherd. I learned a lot from them, but one thing stuck with me. If a need for prayer presents itself, pray right then and there. During their time with us it was not unusual to see several people gathered together in the parish hall or outside praying.

Last week (October 18th) was the Feast Day of St. Luke, physician and evangelist. The day usually passes unnoticed, but it always calls me to ask the question, “Where is healing in the church today?” For me the church in some way or another must be a hospital - a place of both hospitality (defined as friendly to all not just our friends) and a place where all can find healing. In many ways, hospitality produces that healing because being welcomed and accepted into community means you are not alone.

Being in community and relationship is good for one’s immune system!

The Good Shepherd Tuesday Healing service can be likened unto a clinic. Those who attend the Healing Service make it a regular appointment on their weekly schedules, but there’s more to the Good Shepherd Hospital than the Healing Service Clinic. Founded on that service is Good Shepherd pastoral care. We are so blessed to have Lynn Prather+ and Andy Menger+ leading our pastoral care at Good Shepherd, and recently Bunny Williams+ has been added to that heaven-sent team. Bunny+ brings many years of caring healing experience as a nurse, but also brings both sympathy and empathy through her personal loss.

Please take advantage of these gifted healers.

They and the rest of us are always on call. The Medical/Spiritual Staff at Good Shepherd Hospital is not just the clergy mentioned above. By our baptism, we all have medical/spiritual staff credentials. So, the next time someone shares a problem in their lives and says, “Keep us (me) in your prayers.” Please respond this way, “Yes, let’s pray right now.”

… In the mall, parking lot, golf courses, elevator – or mayb
e even in church!