A health crisis, whether you are a patient or family member, can be emotionally and physically overwhelming.
You may experience trouble focusing or making decisions. Sources of strength and practices once meaningful seem out of reach. You find yourself asking questions like “Why me?”, “What does this mean for my life?”, “How will I get through this?”
Our chaplains are here to support you. Professionally trained, chaplains help patients and families cope with distress from illness, injury and unanticipated life events.
Chaplains respectfully meet patients and families within the context of their own beliefs, values, and situations. You do not need to be religious or spiritual to seek help from a chaplain.
Catholic and Interfaith chaplains are available in the hospital between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For emergency needs that arise after-hours, on weekends or holidays, on-call chaplains are available. During the COVID-19 pandemic, chaplains are available to speak with patients and families via phone and video calls.
We apologize that due to the COVID-19 virus both meditation rooms are closed until further notice. Below are worship opportunities and resources to help patients, families and staff experience worship and spiritual connection while you are here at the hospital.
Sundays at 3:30 p.m. on Hospital Channel 115.
Fridays at 1:10 p.m. in L12 Stead Children's Hospital Meditation Room.
Chaplains are trained to listen, but this is a chance to share from our experience: thoughts, stories, practices, and lessons on various themes which we hope may bring our readers some insight and inspiration in daily coping and living. Our views reflect individual views and not that of our department.
Prayers, Poems and Blessings for Uncertain Times is a spiritual resource for staff, patients and families developed by chaplains for this time of COVID-19. Our hope is that it will bring you comfort and peace in these challenging days.
Download Prayers, Poems, and Blessings for Uncertain Times
Download Prayers for Parents of Babies on the Way and in the NICU
These sites introduce contemporary oral tradition songs from community songwriters across the country and world:
Singing Together to Nourish the Soul and Re-enchant the World
Praying
It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.
—(from Mary Oliver’s book of poems, Thirst)
Zoom Prayer is currently taking a break. Recent podcasts and general prayers are below. If you would like to make a confidential prayer request, please email our chaplains at SpiritualSvcChaplains@ healthcare.uiowa.edu. General Hospital (GH) Meditation Room (L1, Elevator B) and L12 Stead Family Children’s Hospital Meditation Room are also available to staff for prayer and meditation. A prayer log or box is provided for written requests.
For more information, contact christine-wagner-hecht@uiowa.edu
Midweek Meditations are an opportunity for relaxation and renewal for staff, patients, and families.
