Pastoral Care Event To Focus on Caring for Clergy

CHARLESTON, SC – April 8, 2011 – “Finding Calm in the Midst of Chaos” will be the theme of Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s (RSFH’s) annual Pastoral Care Symposium slated for Friday, April 8, 2011 in the Mall Classrooms at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in West Ashley.
 
The primary focus of the session will be to address the needs of clergy, chaplains and lay people who are involved in the spiritual and emotional care of others.  The symposium, sponsored by RSFH’s Pastoral Care Department, begins with registration at 8 a.m. with program sessions scheduled from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.   To register, please call 843-402-CARE (2273).  There is a $10 fee and lunch is provided.
 
“Clergy burnout and subsequent health issues, such as obesity, hypertension and depression, are an increasing problem in our society because very often clergy are centered more on taking care of their parishioners rather than themselves,” said Chaplain Capers Limehouse, who is with RSFH’s Pastoral Care Department and symposium coordinator.  “We hope they will come away from the symposium with information and tools to lessen some of the day-to-day stress.”
 
The Rev. Chris Webb will be guest speaker. He is the American President of Renovaré, a non-profit organization that encourages people of all denominations to develop a balanced vision of Christian faith, and to develop a practical strategy for spiritual growth drawing on the classical disciplines, such as prayer, Bible reading, worship, meditation, fasting and silence.  Webb received his theological training from Trinity College in Bristol, England, and has served as an Anglican pastor in various churches in Wales. He now lives with his family in Colorado.
 
RSFH’s Pastoral Care Department provides spiritual care as an integral part of overall healing.  A staff of 11 chaplains is available throughout Roper, St. Francis and Mount Pleasant hospitals during weekdays and on duty after hours and weekends.
 
Also housed in Pastoral Care is RSFH’s Clinical Pastoral Education program, an intense program of professional and theological education in which ministers, priests, rabbis, religious and lay persons learn pastoral ministry through interpersonal relationships in a healthcare setting.
 
For more information on Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s Pastoral Care Department, please visit www.rsfh.com/pastoralcare.

 
The Roper St. Francis Healthcare Mission:

Healing All People with Compassion, Faith and Excellence

Roper St. Francis Healthcare is the South Carolina Lowcountry’s only private, not-for-profit health care system. The 657-bed system consists of 90 facilities and services in seven counties. Member hospitals include Roper Hospital, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Mount Pleasant Hospital and Roper Rehabilitation Hospital. Plans to build a hospital in Berkeley County are in progress. Roper St. Francis Physician Partners is a comprehensive network of more than 180 physicians that covers a complete range of primary care and 20 subspecialties.

With more than 5,100 employees, Roper St. Francis Healthcare is Charleston’s largest non-governmental, private employer. Its medical staff includes nearly 800 physicians representing every medical specialty. Ranked #41 among the Top 100 Integrated Health Networks in the nation, Roper St. Francis Healthcare recently earned 96 National Awards recognizing high levels of patient, physician and employee satisfaction. In October 2010, Roper St. Francis was named among Modern Healthcare’s prestigious list of “Top 100 Places to Work.” Roper St. Francis Healthcare was additionally listed among the Top 25 Connected Healthcare Systems in 2010. In 2010, the organization contributed more than 78,312 hours of staff time and $47.3 million to benefit the community, serving nearly 264,000 community residents.