Spiritual Care

Chaplains of the Spiritual Care department at Bozeman Deaconess Health Services are available to visit with you and your family in conjunction with your medical visits at our clinics, the Hospital, Aspen Pointe and Birchwood retirement communities.

Our chaplains have received clinical training to assist persons of all faiths as well as those with no faith tradition who desire spiritual support in coping with illness, loss or trauma. Our intent is to provide you and your family members supportive spiritual care that will help bring healing and wholeness in your life. The presence of a chaplain may involve:

• Patient visits and support to help you and your family cope during illness, crisis, change or loss
• 24 hour emergency crisis support in case of trauma or discouraging medical news
• Assistance in connecting you with community clergy, faith community leaders or other spiritual care resources
• Medical ethics counsel regarding end of life decisions or care plan choices.
• Advance care planning and advance directives assistance
• Prayer, rituals or sacraments at your request
• Community support groups including Journeys (bereavement and loss) Suicide Loss/Saving Lives, SHARE (perinatal loss)
• The use of the Labyrinth and other spiritual tools and resources
• Christian or interfaith worship services every Wednesday and Sunday at noon in the Chapel
• Hospital Chapel and Healing Garden available for patients, families, and staff near the Patient Visitor entrance
• Assistance in helping you become familiar with Bozeman Deaconess Health Services and its resources
• Help in facilitating your significant cultural practices within the healthcare setting

Bozeman Deaconess Health Services chaplains are clinically trained to offer:

• Unconditional regard and dignity for you as a person
• Respect for your spirituality and/or religious traditions and belief system
• Confidentiality and patient privacy in all conversations
• Acceptance, regardless of the reason you are in need of medical attention
• Encouragement and direction to utilize your personal spiritual resources in the healing process
• An invitation to share your experience, including thoughts and emotions that maybe difficult to express (e.g., anger, helplessness, relief, fear)

You may ask any staff person at Bozeman Deaconess Health Service  to assist you in arranging an appointment with a chaplain. All conversations with a chaplain are confidential, and at times, under a seal of confessional privacy. If you prefer, you may arrange a visit with a chaplain by calling the Spiritual Care office at 585-5073.

The Hospital Chapel is open at all times for prayer, meditation or private time for individuals and families. It is an inclusive place welcoming people of all spiritualties or with no spiritual tradition. We invite you to walk around, sit in stillness, and experience peace and healing in this sacred space.