Blessing of the Hands to Mark Nurses Week

Hospitals depend on medicine to heal, but patients, families and staff rely on spiritual help as well. This week OakBend Medical Center celebrated Hospital/Nurse’s week by blessing of the hands to affirm the sacred dimension of healthcare.

The reliance on spiritual help and the recognition that hospital staff needs to be encouraged to be instruments of compassion as they fulfill their daily tasks, “A Blessing of the Hands” service offered in recognition of this important role provided by health care providers was conducted by Chaplain Kei at the Hospital’s Chapel.

The chaplaincy Services at OakBend Medical Center embraces the spiritual dimension of life and is committed to providing spiritual care to patients, families, caregivers and community. For this purpose, the chaplaincy program exists to minister to the entire (Body, Mind, and Soul) patient, as well as hospital staff who face difficult situations on a daily basis.

The Blessing of the Hands at OakBend Medical Center is a very important service considering the demanding careers of health care professionals.  As much as the blessing of the hands serves as a time of reflection on the healthcare vocation, it is also time to reach out and minister to the employees of the hospital and let them know that God cares and that they are appreciated by the hospital for the work they do.

The blessing of hands honors the health care providers by reaching deep into their spiritual beings. It verbalizes a pastoral understanding of the work they perform. It acknowledges sensitivity to the energy and emotion they give to those they serve. It conveys confidence in them and empowers them to continue on with a renewed compassion for others. Their jobs are full of challenges and questions, but to hear something positive and to let them know that they are appreciated for their work really impacts them as they perform their daily tasks.

Though the blessing itself was brief, the message was clearly understood by the spiritual core of the staff. A few of the participants were overheard saying,” It feels good,” Yet another said, this is what I needed,” Later during the day a nurse said to chaplain, “That was great, I wish we could do it more,”

The blessing of the hands rivets the participant’s mind to remember why they choose the careers of healthcare, namely to offer compassion and healing to those in need. It was important to remind the hospital staff that what they do matters and is a service to the Lord. It was the best way to celebrate Nurse’s week.

During  the 20 minutes session  a reading from third chapter of Colossians  verse seventeen, “And whatsoever you  do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him ... And whatsoever

you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Individually, staffers stepped forward and extended their hands over a hot towel

And the chaplain said these words as he blessed the hands of each participant, “May the God, who created you, bless the care that you give others. May your hands bring healing to all who you touch. May you be blessed and appreciated for all you do in this hospital.”

This event was a reminder that all of the stories about Jesus’ healing ministry were found in larger narratives about our common humanity, compassion, human dignity, shared responsibility, and God’s intention for our health and wholeness.

Conclusion prayers were said for all healthcare workers, for God to strengthen them to use their hearts, hands, and voices to raise their vision for a health care future that includes everyone and works well for all… Amen