Worship on the Psych Ward - רַבָּה אֱמֽוּנָתֶֽךָ

This morning, as part of my on-call chaplain's duties at Christian Hospital in St. Louis MO, I led worship for patients in the psych ward who wished to attend. Restricted to their ward as they are, these patients only have the on-call chaplain to serve them in this way. There is nothing they can be expected to have in common in matters religious and spiritual, though most are some variety of Christian.

For the invocation, I riffed on the "Modeh Ani" and Sue Bojdak's "B'Tzelem Elohim." Read the 84th Psalm. Opened the space to sharing Joys and Sorrows (Prayers of Thanksgiving and Petitions for Comfort), shared a moment of prayerful silence, and then we recited the Lord's Prayer in unison. I read Deuteronomy 30 and gave a reflection on choice, choosing life, repentance, and forgiveness that was based in that passage, ending with the words of Philippians 4:6-8. Prayer. "Amazing Grace" (the nurses joined in the singing with the patients). And we closed with my recitation of the words of the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:24-26.

Some of the patients were in tears, some rapturous. Several of them commented on how meaningful it was to them on that day in their particular emotional state. Others asked for guidance related to their particular challenges. Some expressed thanks that they had been allowed to ask their questions. I had dreaded this potentially interfaith or at least ecumenically attended service, but leading it turned out to be very fulfilling and meaningful to me.

I feel ready for Central Reform Congregation's Erev Rosh HaShanah service tonight at the Chase. I'll sit near the door in case my beeper starts vibrating and I am called to the hospital. My 24/7 week of on-call ends at 8:30AM tomorrow at the beginning of my normal Monday hospital hours.