Many received blessings at OakBend Medical Center Hospital Wednesday, but the focus fell not on the patients but on the doctors, nurses and staff members.
This preceded Ash Wednesday, with the chaplain providing "Blessing of Hands" an event that brings the opportunity for recognition for the many who work quietly to help heal patients.
The occasion began with a prayer, a hymn “Blessed Assurance Jesus is mine”, followed by scriptural reading from Matthew 28:19ff.
There were different faith represented and various denominations. The chaplain held the hands of each attendee (those who heal the sick) and blessed each of them individually. They too need renewal and affirmation. The chaplain blessed the hands of healers who touch many people.
One of the participant said, "It actually puts a very relaxed feeling with what you're doing, and it kind of gives you the inspiration for the rest of the year." This participant appreciated the ceremony of Blessing of Hands, hence giving it meaning, “A Spiritual encounter for staff.”
After the ceremony there's that spirit that helps heal you to know that you can go forward and you can take care of others, that no matter what you're facing, that you actually have gentle hands to take care of patients with, making you an instrument of Gods healing through touch. This “come and go” celebration of service has become very important to the hospital staff at OakBend medical Center for the last three years.
There have been some studies that people who have had their hands blessed or have been blessed, they do well and their patients do well. For the chaplain (the blogger) it's kind of a privilege to be here, to do the Blessing of Hand ceremony with the staff. They feel appreciated and valued as they provide care to patients. In the prayer the chaplain mentioned to each, that the hospital appreciates what each one of them is doing. After the ceremony the chaplain felt blessed too.
For me as chaplain to see the chapel full with health care providers coming for Blessing of hands, is to know that spirituality is being recognized as a necessary part of medical care. I saw a lot of new faces and of course old once (regulars on Wednesday chapel service) and that touch my heart, that I can touch the hearts of many.
Each year, this "Blessing of Hands" becomes more popular with both the caregivers and the interfaith representatives and OakBend Medical Center attending.