August 6, 2010
Memorial Hospital seeks volunteers for ‘Prayer and Presence’
Prayer and Presence is a new program for Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center’s patients and their loved ones to use the time of suffering, illness and dying as a path to wholeness. This program is for patients who are seriously ill or may die within the near future and would benefit from a companion who provides presence and prayer.
The service will be available to patients and their families in 2011 following the recruitment and training of volunteers at the hospital in Jasper.
Three informational sessions will be held about Prayer and Presence on Aug. 11, 12 and 17 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. EDT in the Mary Potter Meeting Room at Memorial Hospital.
Interested candidates are asked to attend one of these sessions during which an overview of the Prayer and Presence program will be given as well as an explanation of the job description and expectations for the volunteer.
Volunteers for Prayer and Presence will go through the screening and orientation process required of all hospital volunteers. Each potential volunteer will also be interviewed individually by one of the Prayer and Presence Core Team members some time between Aug. 18 and Sept. 15.
Those candidates who are accepted as volunteers for the Prayer and Presence program will be required to attend six two-hour training sessions. These six sessions will cover a variety of topics that will equip the volunteer to feel comfortable in their role at the bedside of a seriously ill or dying person.
To find out more information about Prayer and Presence at Memorial Hospital, contact Sister Rose Mary Rexing at (812) 481-0198 or rrexing@mhhcc.org.