Healthcare Ministry encompasses service to both individuals and institutions; in Boston particularly, with its hospitals that draw people from around the world, it has global reach and impact.

As providers of spiritual care, we are called to reassure those who are sick and suffering of God's love, and the healing power of that love. By engaging in this ministry, we manifest God's presence in their lives; by bringing their hopes and fears to the gathered community of faith; we incorporate them into the body of Christ.

The goal of healthcare ministry is to reach out to all those actively working and volunteering in healthcare, so that they, in turn, might reach out to the thousands of people (of any faith, or of no faith) who at any given time are entrenched in the suffering brought about by physical or mental illness, with its attendant sense of isolation, financial burden, and strain on relationships (including often the relationship with God).

The second goal is to gather into community the people engaged in this work so that their collective wisdom becomes an easily accessible resource; a knowledgeable counsel of advice to our bishops and other policymakers; a lively source of educational offerings; a wellspring of mutual support and encouragement, and an inspiration that empowers patients, healthcare providers, family and friends to draw closer to the sacred in their lives.

For more information, contact:

The Rev. Daphne B. Noyes (dnoyes1 [at] partners [dot] org; 617-724-5305)
The Rev. Anoma Abeyaratne (abeyaratne [at] earthlink [dot] net)